Content Management Systems
What is a CMS?
A CMS is software implemented as a web application for creating and managing HTML content. In English, it is software that is run on a web server that generates a web site. (in contrast to html pages created off-line)
What are the features?
The most noticeable feature of CMS is that content is managed through an online control panel. Using a username and password, secure access is gained to the 'backend' of the software where a wide variety of tools make it possible to add or edit the content, or adapt the menu structure.
Another feature that the software provides is the ability for the owner of the web site to login from the 'front-end' of the website and edit the content themselves. Again, using a secure password, the software makes tools available that allow you to change the content of the pages 'live' on the site.
- Delegation of access to specific pages; allow staff access to some parts of your web site while excluding them from others.
- Document management; manage the life cycle of a document, ie. set the time of when it becomes available or expires.
- A variety of added function, including:
- Forums
- Event lists
- e-commerce
- Dynamic search
- RSS news feeds
- Video and Multi-media
- Related article display
- Property management
- Attractive image galleries
- Subscription and contact forms
- Newsletter/subscriber management
- Integration of Google advertising
- Weather/stock market display
What are the benefits?
The key words are function, flexibility, access and diversity. Combined with clean design, CMS gives the user more function and the owner.
