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Content Management System

A content management system (CMS) is an tool that allows a website editor/administrator to manage the content that is displayed. Websites are made of HTML and CSS to create pages. Pages can be hard-coded but would require technical development skills to make changes. A CMS usually allows a person without coding knowledge to amend existing and add new content to a website using a WYSIWYG interface.

Typically the information entered into a CMS is stored in a database that renders the webpage via a template. When creating a new website design the design team would identify and create all the required templates, making the appropriate connection in the CMS to tie the user entry fields to specific page elements. The CSS of the page is used to control the output and flexibility of the variable content in the page template.

The business benefits include:

  • Reduced site maintenance costs
  • Increase on content publish efficiency
  • Less long-term dependencies on specialist skill sets
  • Greater visual consistency due to templating
  • Distribution of content authoring to a wider team with minimal training

There are many type of CMS available built in many development languages and platforms. Many content management systems are targeted at industry verticals or niches, eg: e-commerce.

Synonyms

CMS
Web management system (WMS)
Content management application (CMA)
Content delivery application (CDA)

References

Wikipedia

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