What Is A CMS and Why Do I Need One?

What is a CMS?

CMS is the abbreviation of the term Content Management System, it is a piece of software that enables non-technical users the ability for anyone to create, manage and edit content on a website.

 

In even more simplified terms a CMS, Content Management System, is a platform that opens up the building and editing of a website to anyone of all technical skill levels.

 

There are 2 key parts to the majority of CMS’s:

 

CMA Content Management Application this element of the system enables you to edit, add and manage the content across your site, the part you interact with.

CDA Content Delivery Application this element is the ‘techy’ bit the part that works in the background of the system taking your content from the CMA and storing it so anyone visiting your site can see your content.

 

These 2 elements work in conjunction with each other to deliver a CMS that means the management of your website is simpler, quicker and therefore easier to use, meaning you can update things regularly without having to spend a lot of money and time on hiring a developer.

What Does a CMS do?

CMS provides you with a ready-built tool for managing the core parts of your website, storing images, building webpages, editing content and so much more, with the key parts of your site taken care of by the content management system you and your team are left free to focus on what your customers want to see on the site and help you stand out from the crowd.

 

Helping further develop your understanding of what this tool does and why they are important I will be guiding you through some of the core functionality of a content management system using one of the fastest-growing and most popular CMS’s on the market Umbraco and using this very website as an example.

 

One of the most common, important and frequently completed tasks by a user is adding a blog to your site (depending on what you need from your site and how your site has been developed this experience can vary).

 

With Umbraco 8 (and most CMS’s) you can add your content in a way that will feel natural and intuitive if you have used Word, you simply add your text directly into the field where you are able to change font sizes, justifications, add bullet points, and so much more.

What is the Best CMS?

The best CMS means different things to different people and different business meaning that the question shouldn’t be which is the best CMS, but which is the best for me? If you need help in understanding what is the right CMS for you then you can check out our blog on that very topic here.

 

Additionally, if you are looking for the right CMS you will need to find the right development partner and that is also a highly nuanced and important question and we also have some advice on that very topic here.