In today’s fast-paced digital age, content management has become a cornerstone for every business owner, blogger, and online creator. As the demand for websites and digital platforms is increasing, tools are being created accordingly. Tools have been developed to make content handling easier and more efficient. Among these tools which is famous all over the world is CMS which is known for web development which has made a difficult task like web development easy for a common man. Through this article, a clear and complete understanding what is CMS and its primary types will be provided.
CMS What is exactly a Content Management Systems?
A content management system is a software tool used to create, manage, organize, and publish content without the use of coding. Previously, websites were built using programming languages like HTML and JavaScript, however that has changed with platforms that make web development easier and quicker, especially for non-coders.
In simple terms, it can be seen as a digital workspace that allows people to easily design, format and update content. Here we can easily manage text, images, videos files through visual interfaces, dashboards and ready-made templates. Due to these features, CMS platforms are used in countless industries ranging from personal blogs, startup websites to enterprise level portals and e-commerce businesses.
To understand the role of CMS, it is essential to know about its six main features.
Content Creation
Blog pages and posts can be drafted, formatted, edited, scheduled and published without requiring any technical knowledge or assistance.
Content Storage
All necessary created files can be safely backed up and restored in a folder or database, As a result your hard-earned work is never deleted and there is no fear of losing it
User Management
Multiple users can be assigned tasks such as account admins, team managers, project owners, content editors, etc. Only a few are allowed to access the backend/dashboard to ensure secure collaboration.
Media Handling
Images, videos and documents can be uploaded, stored, and embedded very efficiently.
Themes
The base factor of website design is the user experience, the look and feel when users visit your website. Attractive designs can be implemented using pre-designed templates.
Plugins/Extensions
Various types of unlimited additional features, known as plugins, can be installed, such as SEO tools, contact forms and data analytics dashboards etc.Through these features, a wide range of tasks have been automated or simplified, saving time and energy.
Divided in three main types
CMS platforms are of various types depending on the way content is delivered and the functionality, Let’s explore the three main types:
Traditional CMS
This is the most commonly used because it is an all-in-one software application that is an all-rounder that handles the backend content storage and editing and the frontend presentation layer of a website. In essence content creation, digital asset management, storage, all of these are rolled up into one platform.
Examples: WordPress, Joomla, Drupal
Headless CMS
Unlike traditional CMS, this is a type that separates its backend, where content is stored and managed, from the frontend, where content is displayed. The content back-end is separated and the content is delivered via APIs. This makes it ideal for omnichannel publishing.
Examples: Contentful, Strapi, Sanity
Decoupled CMS
The system in which strikes a balance between backend content management functionality and the front-end presentation layer are completely separate, but this allows developers to create custom frontends using a variety of technologies and frameworks while the backend remains the same.
Examples: Magnolia CMS, DotCMS, Brightspot
What will be the future of CMS?
Content management is evolving itself with the help of artificial intelligence as integrated headless CMS and multi-channel content delivery transform how content is created, managed, and delivered. Factors such as mobile optimization, customized personalization, inclusivity and accessibility are of utmost importance.