Content Management System

A content management system (CMS) is an application that is used to manage web content, allowing multiple contributors to create, edit and publish. Content in a CMS is typically stored in a database and displayed in a presentation layer based on a set of templates.

The following are the basic features of a CMS:

+ Content creation (allows users to easily create and format content)
+ Content storage (stores content in one place, in a consistent fashion)
+ Workflow management (assigns privileges and responsibilities based on roles such as authors, editors and admins)
+ Publishing (organizes and pushes content live)

What to look for in a CMS

Before choosing a content management system, it is beneficial to evaluate your company’s information management practices and overall business goals with respect to the publishing of content.

You will need to begin by making a list of the business problems you are trying to solve as well as any specific requirements you may have. This will help you choose the right content management system – the one that supports your business requirements – rather than the most popular or well-liked.

CMSs come in all shapes and sizes, each with its own set of features and benefits. Some are ideally suited for blogging; others may be tailored to ecommerce sites with features for pricing and accounting functionality. Specifics will vary based on your company’s needs and resources.