A content management system (CMS) is a system used to manage the content of a Web site. Typically, a CMS consists of two elements: the content management application (CMA) and the content delivery application (CDA). The CMA element allows the content manager or author, who may not know Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), to manage the creation, modification, and removal of content from a Web site without needing the expertise of a Webmaster. The CDA element uses and compiles that information to update the Web site. The features of a CMS system vary, but most include Web-based publishing, format management, revision control, and indexing, search, and retrieval.
Content management systems are not new. They come in many shapes and sizes, but due to their very high costs, so far only big companies have been able to afford them. However, a new generation of content management systems have brought these powerful tools within the reach of small and medium-sized organizations. In this newsletter, the idea behind content management systems is explained in plain language.
There is plenty of information to be found online on any topic you desire to find out about. In order for the owner’s of the various websites to keep visitors interested in what they have to offer the content needs to be continually updated. People expect to find the most current information and they will continue using those resources that offer it.
One of the most convenient ways to be able to give them what they want is to use a content management system. It allows individuals to control their own websites without having to pay for someone else to take care of it for them. This allows new online businesses with a small budget for expenses to be able to compete with larger ones that do have such funding readily available.
The key to getting a good ranking on the various search engines is to offer new material that the search robots will read and index in the search engines. This means you should be regularly adding new material to your website including articles, special offers, testimonials from happy customers that will encourage others to make a purchase, and various types of announcements that you want to share with your visitors.
All of these tasks require you to have a way to update your content on the web pages and you can do that with a content management system. You will also quickly realize that the trends of consumers shift rapidly when it comes to the internet. This means the set up you have today may not be enticing enough for them tomorrow. Unless you want to pay a full time webmaster to take care of all these needs for you, investing in a content management system is going to be necessary for the success of your website.
benefits of a content management system
1. A CMS web site is database driven.
This allows you to create and store hundreds or thousands of pages in the database without the need to update each one of them.
This allows you to create and store hundreds or thousands of pages in the database without the need to update each one of them.
2. Separate design and content.
The design of the site template is separate from the content. This allows you to change the design any time without affecting the content stored on the site.
The design of the site template is separate from the content. This allows you to change the design any time without affecting the content stored on the site.
3. Use cascading style sheet (CSS) to control site appearance.
Altering one CSS file will allow you to change the design and/or color of your CMS site. The consistency of the design can be preserved.
Altering one CSS file will allow you to change the design and/or color of your CMS site. The consistency of the design can be preserved.
4. Multiple authors
If you have different authors that wish to contribute to your CMS web site you can set up multiple user access in the administration panel. They can just login and begin adding their content.
If you have different authors that wish to contribute to your CMS web site you can set up multiple user access in the administration panel. They can just login and begin adding their content.
5. Access from anywhere
Authors and editors can access the site from any computer with an internet connection. This means users can update the site at the same time from any location in the world.
Authors and editors can access the site from any computer with an internet connection. This means users can update the site at the same time from any location in the world.
6. Web site management panel
The backend administration panel not only provides the ability to add content but also to add modules such as polls, banners,forums, shopping applications, news management and menus.
Authors can be given limited permissions to prevent them from editing content which they are not authorized to change.
The backend administration panel not only provides the ability to add content but also to add modules such as polls, banners,forums, shopping applications, news management and menus.
Authors can be given limited permissions to prevent them from editing content which they are not authorized to change.
7. Schedule content updates
Publishing content can be controlled by creating a draft first then publishing it later. This is handy if you need to coordinate content from multiple authors.
Publishing content can be controlled by creating a draft first then publishing it later. This is handy if you need to coordinate content from multiple authors.
8. HTML knowledge not required
A CMS site allows non-technical people to add content. They just need to login with a user name and password then use the web editor that’s built into the CMS to add their content.
A CMS site allows non-technical people to add content. They just need to login with a user name and password then use the web editor that’s built into the CMS to add their content.
9. Saves time.
If you were using a static site to add content from multiple authors, each author would have to download the pages from the server to their computer first, update them, then upload them back to the server. This would be very time consuming and could generate a lot of errors.
If you were using a static site to add content from multiple authors, each author would have to download the pages from the server to their computer first, update them, then upload them back to the server. This would be very time consuming and could generate a lot of errors.
10. Attracts visitors
A CMS site attracts visitors because it can be constantly and rapidly updated. It not only generates pages that are search engine friendly but can produce lots of links from the new content that is added and syndicated.
A CMS site attracts visitors because it can be constantly and rapidly updated. It not only generates pages that are search engine friendly but can produce lots of links from the new content that is added and syndicated.
11. Create automatic RSS Feeds.
RSS or really simple syndication is integrated automatically into many CMS sites. Every time you create a post or make a comment it creates a feed for it. This allows visitors with RSS Feeders to read the post at their own leisure.
RSS or really simple syndication is integrated automatically into many CMS sites. Every time you create a post or make a comment it creates a feed for it. This allows visitors with RSS Feeders to read the post at their own leisure.
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