Content Management Systems

What is Content Management

Content management systems (CMS) are applications for managing web site content.

It allows you to create, modify, update, arrange and delete content without knowing HTML, programming or design. Most CMS applications, regardless of cost or complexity, offer similar core features: browser-based publishing, format control and built-in search tools.

Benefits of CMS

CMS applications, have templates which define the overall appearance of the site. Templates designate specific portions of a webpage as areas where content can be placed.

Keeps site content fresh with regularly updating content

This makes it easy for non-technical employees, registered users/visitors to add relevant content, add comments providing a dynamic and informative web site.

It also means that you can maintain your own web site, updating content and information regularly keeping it fresh and interesting for visitors.

Search engine page position

An additional benefit is search engine ranking. Search engines will index and return more regularly to web pages that change and add content on a regular basis helping to increase pagerank and higher search page positions.

How CMS works

A CMS indexes and stores content files in a database and retrieves it for visitors according to priorities you specify - you determine where, when and how information will appear on your site.

As all the content and information is stored in the database, your users or visitors can search your site easily.

CMS systems focus on tailored marketing tools that allow companies to adapt content and advertising using information provided by the user or gathered by the site: if you search Yahoo for "business supplies" the banners will advertise sources of office supplies, not daycare centres.

Almost every organisation with a web site or network can benefit from a Content Management System. Individuals can also enjoy substantial benefits from a CMS.

Could you benefit from a Content Management System?

If you have a large or content-rich website or intranet, you could benefit from a CMS.
If you would like to have a content-rich website or intranet, but haven't got the resources, you could benefit from a CMS.
If your organisation depends on the timely publication of up-to-date information, you could benefit from a CMS.
If you need to have more than one individual or section submitting content for your website or intranet, you could benefit from a CMS.
If you serve a geographically or organisationally diverse client-base, you could benefit from a CMS.
If you have a limited time for site development and maintenance, you could benefit from a CMS.
If you have a limited budget, you could benefit from a CMS.