Content is king!. Yes, we all have heard this quote time and again in recent times and that is because it is true. These days everything is online and good content ensures that your idea or business can reach millions of people. This is where CMS or content management system are helpful to all those who want to create and publish their content regularly. CMS handles important technical activities in the background, pulls data out from its database and display online, while the users are allowed to focus on the creative processes.
What is CMS?
CMS stands for “Content Management System”. It is a software which offers all website admin related functionalities like easy management and control options at one place. CMS assists in creating, designing, editing, publishing and managing content. It is popular for web publishing as well as managing content on a personal device or intranet.
CMS offers complete control to the user over the management of stored documents and files, designing and displaying content and so on. Content management systems are also famously used as they do not require any coding knowledge. Users are allowed to concentrate on creative processes while CMS takes care of all technical activities. Few examples of common content management systems are WordPress, Drupal, Joomla and ExpressionEngine.
How do Content Management System work?
CMS creates lively web pages where user data is stored in the database in a proper format. Each data has a specific place, for example, blog post, menus, users, themes etc. A CMS theme is a set of Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) code which features a certain format or layout for the web page. The system allows users to make creative changes related to the creation and display of the content added.
An important purpose of a Content Management System for web publishing has to be the ability to website or web page management by multiple users with various level of authorizations. For example, different users can be assigned to create and manage different web pages such as blog, articles, videos, press releases, campaigns, online store and so on.
Significant Features of CMS:
User-Friendly
Content management systems are user-friendly. Therefore, most CMS editors do not require any coding knowledge. Users can write and edit content similar to a word document and publish it easily. However, CMS does offer an option to switch to source-code editor mode, if users know coding languages. This is the minimum requirement for an efficient and useful CMS. It should allow easy content creation, editing and publishing.
Administration and management
CMS offers easy options to manage and organize content, for example, editing, authorization, reporting and promotion. Few CMS provide better solutions for multi-level access and approval activities which are very flexible and have automatic processes. Similarly, CMS offers efficient and secure user administration solutions by allowing limited access to defined users for certain functionalities or content fields. Following are the key activities where CMS is helpful–
- Tracking and scheduling posts and related content
- Monitoring website and admin activity
- Additional features by using plugins and widgets
- Managing daily tasks
- Multilevel access and multiplatform promotion
Security
Security is an important aspect while deciding CMS because a protected website protects its customers and the brand image. CMS ensures that user data cannot be stolen or misused.
Scalability
As discussed earlier, CMS offer better marketing and promotion options on various devices, platforms and interfaces around the world. Also, CMS is robust and scalable so that they can support users business as it grows.
Built-In SEO option
This feature is the gem of a content management system. Built-in SEO tools in CMS helps users to create meta descriptions, URL, page titles, etc. automatically which are easily searchable for readers & search engines. Users can easily add tags for blog images, satisfy accessibility rules and avoid plagiarism.
Analytics
CMS can collect and process interaction data in real time because customers prefer personalized and relevant digital content. This data operates as part of a larger but centralized customer experience management platform.
Content management systems are continuously evolving with features which are trying to consider the evolving customer needs such as security, tempting layouts, cutting-edge technology, great designs, speed, and so on. Websites enjoy many benefits with a built-in CMS option as they act as graphic user-interface which allows a user to pull data from the database directly for editing and publishing.
Sonal Mishra is a management graduate from Pune. She comes from finance background and has found her true calling as a writer after gaining corporate experience for almost six years with companies like Capgemeni and HSBC. She has transformed her love for writing into a full time profession and currently works as a freelance content creator.
