Before CMS... the task of uploading files and images to a website and updating the content was a tedious process. You either had to transfer everything manually using a browser-based uploading tool or an FTP program, or you could download the file you need to edit, update it, and then re-upload it to your server.

It’s hardly an efficient method for handling website content and all the files you work with tend to take up a lot of storage space. That’s why a content management system (CMS) is sometimes called the best friend of Web developers.

Wikipedia defines a web content management system as "a software system used to manage and control a large, dynamic collection of web material."

Content management systems for websites make site management easier because it allows you to perform updates without having to upload or re-upload your files.

They also allow non-technical individuals to manipulate the contents by using WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editors that are usually installed in many content management systems. Using it is fairly simple.

Once it has been set up and is fully functioning, all that’s left to do is for the content editors to upload the necessary documents and that’s basically it.

Making use of a CMS also saves you a lot of space on your server and allows you to display dynamic content on your website. Apart from allowing people to easily organize the files and images in a website, content management systems are also used for streamlining business processes and enabling safe and secure file sharing within a company.

Features of content management systems

A CMS makes content organization and publishing very simple thanks to several features. With a CMS, you can easily schedule when your content will be published online, set permissions for each file in order to control access, and allow you to edit web-pages using rich text editors even if you don’t have any knowledge of HTML.

An important feature of a content management system is usability and how you can quickly integrate it in your system to work well with your existing website and its layout. Most content management systems have plug-ins that you can install in order to improve your site’s functionality.

You will also find that some available systems can already create an editable template for your website and others also go as far as allowing you to build your site structure and layout.

The interface also tends to be simple and user-friendly with a lot of simple tools that make it easy for everyone to work with website content.

How to choose the right CMS

Before buying, downloading, or creating your content management system, think about why you need one and what kind of website you intend to set up.

Do you plan to set it up for your business?

Is it for a webzine that would require you to publish articles regularly?

Maybe you want to set up an online store or a forum, or perhaps you’re simply setting up a website as a hobby.

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