A web Content Management System does exactly what it says on the tin. It allows you to manage content on a website.
But can’t the content on websites already be edited?
A basic webpage is created using HTML. HTML is a markup language that allows a web browser (such as Internet Explorer) to interpret how to display a web page to users. Understanding some HTML used to be enough to enable you to edit a website yourself. But technologies have developed significantly since the early days of the Internet and the basic website has become much more complex, requiring far more technical knowledge to create and edit a successful website manually.
Because it requires technical knowledge to accomplish, the management of a company’s website was often left to a single employee, or more costly, a web developer was paid a monthly maintenance fee to make changes, whether it was a new page, or to correct a spelling mistake. Pages were rarely updated immediately or completed exactly as intended.
A Content Management System (most often referred to as a CMS) in its most basic form, is software that allows the manipulation of the text on a website using an editor resembling Microsoft Word. It negates the need for specialist knowledge of HTML or any other web based languages. You might see these editors referred to as WYSIWYG text editors, which stands for ‘What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get’ and means the text appears in the editor just as it would be displayed on the website.
CMS’ have developed to become extremely capable applications that can achieve many complex tasks in addition to solely editing content, without the user having to understand anything more than the basics of how a website functions. (alternatively: without the user having to possess anything greater than basic PC skills.)
There is no need to rely on costly web design companies, or place the burden on a single individual within your organisation. A CMS allows you, and anybody else you authorise, to control what is on your website. Each of your employees can create, edit and contribute to the company website, when and where it is required.