A content management system (CMS) is software that makes it possible to create, edit, manage, and publish website content without deep knowledge of programming and web design. With a CMS, users can easily insert text, images, videos, and other media content, as well as change the structure and layout of a web page without working directly with the underlying HTML code, CSS, or other programming languages.
Functions of a content management system
A CMS usually offers a variety of features that make the website creation process more efficient and user-friendly. Typical functions are:
- WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor - users can edit the content directly without using HTML code.
- Templates - Pre-made, customizable designs facilitate the design of the website.
- Extension modules (plugins) - addition of additional features, such as contact forms, image galleries or search engine optimization (SEO) tools.
- User management - control access permissions and roles for different users or user groups.
- Multilingualism - support for creating web pages in different languages.
- Search Engine Friendly URLs - Creating URLs that are easier for search engines to recognize and index.
Popular content management systems
There are many different CMS options on the market, but some of the most popular and widely used are:
- WordPress - A widely used open source CMS known for its flexibility, ease of use and large number of available plugins and themes. Originally developed as a blogging platform, WordPress is now used for many types of websites.
- Joomla - Another open source CMS known for its advanced features and customization options. Joomla is well suited for complex web projects and portals.
- Drupal - A powerful and flexible open source CMS that stands out for its robustness and security. Drupal is often used for large and more demanding web projects.
When selecting a content management system, factors such as ease of use, customization capabilities, available resources, and the requirements of the particular web project should be considered.