A CMS website, or Content Management System website, is a type of website that allows users to easily create, manage, and modify digital content without requiring specialised technical skills. A CMS typically consists of two main components: the content management application and the content delivery application.Here's how a CMS website generally works:
Content Management Application
This is the back-end interface where users can log in and manage the content of their website. It typically includes features such as:
- Content creation tools: Users can create new pages, posts, or other types of content using a simple editor similar to a word processor.
- Content organisation: Users can organise content into categories, tags, or hierarchical structures to make it easier to navigate and find.
- Media management: Users can upload and manage images, videos, documents, and other media files.
- User management: Administrators can create and manage user accounts with different levels of access and permissions.
- Extensions and plugins: Many CMS platforms offer a wide range of extensions, plugins, and add-ons to extend functionality and add new features.
Content Delivery Application
This is the front-end interface that visitors see when they access the website. It displays the content managed through the back-end interface in a visually appealing and user-friendly manner. Features of the content delivery application may include:
- Templates and themes: Users can choose from a variety of pre-designed templates or themes to customise the appearance of their website.
- Responsive design: CMS websites are often built with responsive design techniques to ensure that they look and function well on various devices and screen sizes.
- Navigation menus: Users can create and customise navigation menus to help visitors navigate the website easily.
- Search functionality: Many CMS platforms include built-in search functionality to help users find specific content on the website.
- Social media integration: Users can integrate social media sharing buttons and feeds to encourage social sharing and engagement.
Popular CMS platforms include WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Shopify (for e-commerce), and many others. These platforms vary in terms of features, complexity, scalability, and suitability for different types of websites and projects. Overall, a CMS website provides an efficient and user-friendly way to create and manage digital content, making it ideal for businesses, organisations, and individuals who want to maintain an online presence without extensive technical expertise.