What is CMS?
A content management system or CMS for short is an application with the ability to create, modify and publish digital content. In most cases, it also supports multiple users, allowing them to work in collaboration.
For example, in WordPress it is possible to create several administrative users, each one having different privileges. Content management systems also include text and formatting features, and the ability to upload videos, photos, audio, maps, or even your own code.
A content management system consists of two major components:
- A content management application (CMA). The CMA can be referred to as the graphical user interface (GUI) that lets a user create, modify, remove and publish content without ever needing to have knowledge of HTML or programming languages.
- A content delivery application (CDA). The CDA is responsible for the back-end services that manage and deliver content after it is in the CMA.
Other features worth mentioning are:
- SEO-friendly URLs
- Online support and communities
- User/group functions
- Various templates and designs
- Installation wizards and upgrades/updates
The three most popular content management systems in the world are WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.