What Is A Content Management System And How Does It Work?

Some people say that you must not venture into something you do not have complete knowledge of. Well, if that were considered vigorously accurate, then nobody would have entered the realm of business and trade. Of course, it is pretty far-fetched for a particular individual to know everything about everything, but should that stop one from exploring new domains, tapping into the possibility and cease one from doing things never done before?

In today’s time, technology aids you in not giving up. One such technology is Content Management System or CMS. Web development companies in UAE have been assisting business owners in leveraging the features that content management systems offer to create and administer their website independently and regularly. This blog will break down what a Content Management System is and how it helps one in their business.

What is a Content Management System?

Content Management System is software that helps individuals create, manage, and modify content on a website, even if an individual does not possess the specialized technical knowledge. In simple words, a Content Management System as a tool helps one assemble a website without composing all the code from scratch and without knowing how to code in the first place.

Therefore, you don’t have to build your system for building web pages, storing images, and other functions. Instead, the Content Management System takes care of all that basic infrastructure stuff so that you can channelize your efforts towards more substantial forward-facing aspects of your website.

Working of a Content Management System 

Let us take an example of one of the most popular and lucid Content Management System to decipher how a Content Management System works in general.

Let us start with WordPress.

To create any content without a Content Management System, you will first have to write a static HTML file and then upload the content to the server. However, a Content Management System like WordPress simplifies your work. You have to write the content on an interface, similar to Microsoft Word. For uploading or managing media, like images, you can browse the media library instead of interacting with the webserver directly. The best part about Content Management System is that it does not cease to work as a backend framework. Instead, it makes the content you create available to the visitors in the way you want them to see.

A content management system constitutes of: 

• Content Management Application (CMA) – on the technical level, it is the part that allows one to add and manage content on their website.
• Content Delivery Application (CDA) is the backend part of the software, which handles the behind-scene-process fed by the content one inputs in the CMA, then stores it properly, making it visible to the visitors in the way you want.

Together, they make it easy for you to maintain your website.

WordPress has captured 43% of the market share on websites, with a dedicated content management system. Other than that, Magento is very popular, specifically for eCommerce stores.

Kinds of websites that can be built on Content Management Systems 

Generally, most of the popular Content Management Systems can be used to create multiple types of websites like Static websites, blogs, eCommerce Stores, forums, social networks, online courses, membership sites, portfolios and many more websites.

How can one build a website with a Content Management System?

It is straightforward and effortless to build your website with a Content Management System; all you have to do is,

• Purchase web hosting and a domain name
• Install the Content Management System that you prefer on your web browser
• Instruct the Content Management System to dictate the appeal and appearance of your site, that is to say, how your site will look and function.
• Start writing the content using the Content Management System interface, that is it.

Pros and Cons of Content Management System

At this point, we have established that using a Content Management System is easy because all you have to do is select pre-designed or custom-made templates for your website. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about deciphering complicated and technical terms like PHP, HTML, CSS and everything else that seems like technical jargon to you. Therefore, it is ideal for business owners, especially for small-scale ones.

However, we will delve into the pros and cons of building your website with a Content Management System for the apt analogy of what it can do for your website.

Pros of Content Management System

(1) It allows you to develop your website faster. In addition, it provides solutions to many fundamental development problems that might come up in the future.

(2) Cheap overall cost since it reduces web administration and web development expenses.

(3) An individual does not have to learn or write code

(4) Wide variety of templates to choose from that go best with your website’s theme.

(5) Streamlines the process of multi-content contributors.

(6) Many pre-developed features, appliances, widgets, and plugins cut down the tailored developmental costs.

(7) Scope of customization

(8) Serve as an intermediate solution, while a highly customized and elaborate non-Content Management System site is under development.

(9) Web development companies in Dubai can assist with the initial design. Then the website owner can take complete control of the site, where no further involvement is necessary.

Cons of Content Management System 

(i) Reduced flexibility in terms of template customization

(ii) Content Management System website-building tools are limited. Therefore full customization is not always possible.

(iii) A little training is required to use the Content Management System optimally and update it. The updating takes time and a dedicated team. If not updated regularly, it can become an easy target for spammers and hackers.

(iv) The wrong configuration by the admin can break it.

(v) It uses more server resources than used by static pages.

What does the Content Management System do for your website? 

Even after its cons, Content Management System website plays excellent advantage for your business like,

Cost-effective

Static website maintenance drains a substantial amount of time and money. Instead, you don’t have to worry about calling a website developer to update a site’s content or add a new page altogether to your website. The Content Management System is comparatively much more affordable and accessible to manual.

Though Content Management System’s upfront and licensing cost varies with the vendor and depends on several factors like implementation, security, modularity, scalability, and many more, small-scale entities can opt for open-source platforms and free Content Management System packages like WordPress Drupal Joomla, which offer many features.

Easy website update 

By simply logging into the dashboard, one can easily update the website content; like adding new pages, adding content, audios, videos, images etc. Furthermore, the existing content can be updated easily, enhancing the liveliness of the site and audience engagement, since they get the latest information from your end. Therefore, it adds significant value for companies that communicate with their customers daily.

SEO tools and plugins 

Content Management System has inbuilt tools and plugins that help rank your website higher on search engines. You can effectively add web-page titles, meta-descriptions, alt tags, etc. Even if you miss any element, it reminds you. Your site does not lose ranking at any point in time since these plugins get updated regularly.

Easy collaboration 

A Content Management System can be accessed easily by several people at the same point in time. By using separate login credentials for the users, the admin can set permission. Multiple parties can view the site and alter content without backing up since it will automatically save the changes.

Business growth 

Communication plays a critical role in the growth of a business. With its feature of easy and regular updates, you don’t have to study codes to maintain the website. You can communicate content, blogs, press releases, services, product descriptions etc., to the audience by altering the site. Therefore, it enhances the appeal of your website and strengthens customer relationships.

Security 

Security and privacy remain a significant concern for the masses today. However, with the site vulnerability increasing each day and the digital sphere becoming more susceptible to attacks and breaches by hackers and spammers, Content Management System websites provide measures to curtail any such possibility, thanks to Content Management System developers, ethical hackers, and plugins.

Keep the following aspects in your mind before choosing a Content Management System, like the level of customization you seek for your website and whether the Content Management System allows extra plugins that you will need. Therefore, to use a Content Management System effectively and assemble a high-performing website, you must be aware of all the features and services you seek to incorporate on your website.

Thus, you must determine whether you wish to invest in the Content Management System website earlier to propel the site or try it later, depending on what features and services suit your business. However, Content Management System websites can add tremendous value to your business on a comparative analysis drawn.