What is a CMS Website and Why Should You Use One?

Long gone are the days when only those well versed in programming languages were able to even contemplate building a presence online. CMS websites have not only opened web design up to a much more diverse array of creators but allowed specialists to switch their focus, giving them more time to experiment and innovate.

What Is a CMS Website?

A CMS website is, as the name indicates, a website built using what is known as a Content Management System – or CMS – which provides a convenient framework to create content or modify it on the fly. What makes CMS different from more traditional web design solutions is that they feature a practical user interface through which content can be added or organized. Though older generations of content management systems may have been relatively restrictive, particularly in terms of layout, they now offer incredibly diverse options, usually in the form of themes. These let users manage their pages as they please without having to create HTML documents from scratch.

What Are the Most Popular CMS?

Over half of all sites on the Internet are CMS websites, many of which are powered by WordPress. This content management system is known for its versatility and ease of use, with an immense array of plugins that provide functionalities most web designers find amply sufficient. Other options include Drupaland Joomla, both of which are considered more powerful but more complex, making them suitable for web design professionals. Even e-commerce websites can benefit from dedicated solutions such as Magento, Shopify, OpenCart, or Prestashop. Some beginner-friendly alternatives – for instance, Wix – boast fewer functionalities. They do, however, have the merit of being very approachable.

As for those who want no compromises, Strapi is regarded as a CMS of choice. From static websites to mobile applications, brand or corporate websites, editorial sites, e-commerce, and more, this fully customizable open-source headless content management system places personalization at the core of its offer. The intuitive interface is designed with comfort and flexibility in mind and caters to developers who need a dependable structure and more advanced functionalities.

Why Opt for a CMS Website?

In our fast-paced world, efficiency is at the heart of everything. Online, this dynamic is more emphasized, which is certainly why CMS websites are proving so popular. Back in the day, each small update would require altering the HTML, making it a challenging task for businesses to manage their own content. Using a CMS means even a complete layout overhaul is a breeze to achieve!

As for the content itself, adding images or videos can be done without mastering a single line of code. CMS users create new pages on the fly, publish blog posts that they can write and edit straight from the interface, arrange portfolios, manage their stocks by adding or removing products, all through simple drag and drop actions, or at the click of a button. And they do not have to work alone either, as a CMS website can be managed by several administrators and support an entire team of contributors with more or less advanced privileges.

From a development perspective, a CMS framework is an invitation to focus on fabulous design and amazing functionalities, since no time is wasted on handling the more trivial elements of the website. The content itself is safely stored on a database and is fully organizable in the form of convenient archives.

Search Engine Optimisation – also known as SEO – has become a pivotal aspect of website management. With content-based rankings still shaping search results as we speak, being able to produce and publish quality content easily is an immense advantage. In addition, using a CMS gives you access to powerful plugins that can make a world of difference. Yoast, for instance, gamifies the search engine optimization process by indicating your SEO score through a color code, the ultimate goal being green.

Finally, many CMS are open source by nature. Though this is not the case for all systems, opting for an open-source CMS lets you unleash your creative potential by building your very own themes and plugins. You can also alter existing ones to tweak them according to your liking. Even the frameworks themselves can be edited and extended, so long as your knowledge of the CMS in question, MySQL and PHP are sufficient.

Choosing a CMS website presents benefits that could not be overstated. Even though static websites still have some uses, businesses are finding content management systems more and more compelling. Cheap, convenient, powerful, highly customizable, and constantly updated, they offer a wide range of possibilities for those who want to give their audience an optimal viewing experience regardless of the device they use. They also provide you with all the room you need to keep on growing. CMS is a great way to make your website truly yours and to have it reflect something unique, creative, and beautiful.