A content management system–otherwise known as a CMS–is a piece of software that runs on a server. As the name suggests, the software is intended to manage content. The overall goal of a CMS it to make it easier for the average Internet user to publish content on the web. Without having to go in and code new pages using HTML, a user could update a website with just a few clicks. A CMS took the focus away from the coding and the design and instead focused it on the content.

How a CMS Works

Most content management systems work by using a database to house all of the content. As you update your CMS run website, a new section is added to the database, thus making it larger. What this does is separate the actual content from the design of the site. In theory, a CMS separates a website into three parts: design, structure and content.

If you make a change to the content, nothing changes in regard to your structure or your design. If, down the line, you decide to do a complete overhaul on the design of the site, the content won't be damaged and, since you're building on the structure of the CMS, that won't be affected either. Finally, if you decide to jump platforms, you will still have your content because it is built into a CMS.

Benefits of a CMS

The strongest benefit of a CMS is the fact that you can make changes to your content and website without needing to bring a team of designers on board. With a simple click, you can have an entirely new page up on your website. The reason for this is because the CMS takes the CSS and PHP that was designed for it previously and simply replicates it every time you add a new article.

Another benefit of a CMS is that it the content runs on a database. This allows for the content to be moved from platform to platform. And, it also means that you can make easy edits to the design without having to worry about something going wrong in regard to the content. Since there is a database, if you export that to your desk top, it is safe should something happen to the structure or design of the site.

Finally, it's just easy. A CMS has made it easier than ever for someone who doesn't really know anything other than writing and allows them to publish on the Internet. In the past, you'd have needed a coder and a designer. Now, you can install the software and get a design that was already pre-made. Then, you are free to begin writing and updating as often as you want.

Top Content Management Systems

There are many content management systems out there, but the top ones are definitely the best by far. One of the most powerful content management systems is WordPress. Millions of sites are run off that. Another strong CMS is Joomla. Finally, another strong CMS is Drupal. All of these allow users to easily update their site and make changes without causing damage to the entire site.