Content Management System (CMS)

A Content Management System (CMS) is a software application or platform that allows individuals and organisations to create, manage, edit, and publish digital content—typically on websites—without needing advanced programming skills. CMSs are used to simplify the process of building and maintaining online content, offering structured workflows and user-friendly interfaces.

Most CMS platforms, such as WordPress, Drupal and Joomla, operate on a modular architecture and separate the content layer from the design and functionality layers. Key features include:

• WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editors for content input
• User and role management for editorial control and collaboration
• Template and theme systems for consistent visual presentation
• Media libraries for storing and managing multimedia content
• Plugin or module support to extend site functionality
• Version control and revision history

Modern CMSs are often built using open-source technologies and support multilingual content, SEO optimisation, and responsive design. They can be hosted on-premises or in the cloud and integrated with databases (e.g. MySQL), APIs, and analytics tools.

CMSs are essential in:

• Corporate websites and blogs
• E-commerce platforms
• Intranets and knowledge bases
• Digital marketing campaigns
• News and media portals

By streamlining content publishing and reducing technical dependency, CMS platforms empower communication teams and content managers to work independently and efficiently.