Are you thinking of building a website that you can have complete control over but have limited technical knowledge? There is a simple solution: a CMS.
CMS stands for content management system, a software designed to let you build a website from scratch, even without coding experience.
Content management systems have become so reliable for building professional-looking, responsive web pages that more than 68 million sites have been built with one.
This article will delve into everything you need to know to start using a CMS, such as what a CMS is, why you should use one, how you use it, and the most popular CMS to choose from.
What is a CMS, and How Does it Work?
A content management system (CMS) is a software application you can use to build websites without knowing how to code.
It allows you to create, edit, organise and publish content with a click of a button. It also includes templates and additional features to personalise your site to make it your own.
It’s a way to build the right website for your brand with only the most basic tech knowledge required.
How to use a CMS
A CMS comprises two main parts: a content management application (CMA) and a content delivery application (CDA).
The CMA is the front end, where users create and edit site content and add templates. The CDA is the back section that takes the information you put into the CMA and stores it. Between them, the two sections handle all the code and other behind-the-scenes infrastructure so you can focus on the content.
Instead of having to input all the code for formatting text, adding links and images, customising, etc., yourself, you’ll be able to open a content editor and do it all by dropping and dragging or pressing some buttons. The CDA will store the data you entered into the CMA and present it to web users.
You can publish a blog post or edit the content on an existing web page simply by pushing a button.
Why Use a CMS?
There are many advantages to using a CMS system for professionals of all backgrounds and skill levels.
1. No coding knowledge required
You can set up a website and make changes without having a development background or knowing a word of a coding language.
It is even better if you know a little code, as many content management systems allow you to add custom code for even greater control.
CMS platforms have user-friendly, intuitive interfaces that enable you to custom-create professional quality websites, no matter how time-limited.
2. Easy collaboration
A CMS is set up so that multiple people can access and work on the same site simultaneously, regardless of their background or skills. A copywriter can upload text while a graphic designer adds images.
This increased potential for collaboration means increased productivity, as the whole team works together to finish tasks on time.
3. User roles and permissions
CMS platforms prioritise security so that different users can edit the site’s pages without deleting or altering each other’s work.
Customisable user roles and permissions mean that writers, designers, developers and security experts can change their specific areas of the internal site without impacting anyone else’s.
Many CMS platforms have built-in user roles with varying privileges, from content edits and managers to administrators and custom roles for particular tasks.
4. SEO features and extensions
CMS platforms provide many ways to modify your website’s look, feel and design. You can change the colours, menu display, or apre-set theme or template.
CMS includes several customisable features built into the system or available to add on. Using the right tools, you can create multi-language variations of your content for overseas customers, view and action SEO suggestions, add image alt text, create 301 redirects and XMLsitemaps, and optimise your page’s loading time.
5. Security features and extensions
In a time when we all need to be wary of fraud, scams and cybercrime, what is CMSS without adding strong security measures?
Many CMS platforms include built-in features or add-ons that you can use to protect your site better. Some even offer 24/7 security support.
Security for a CMS can take many forms, such as
● Access control, which requires multi-factor identification
● DDoS protection, which monitors uptakes in traffic and ensures the good kind of traffic still gets to you while blocking the nasties
6. Predesigned templates
Predesigned templates allow you to create a professional-looking, responsive website in minutes with no technical knowledge required.
Predesigned templates make it easy for you and can save the day when you have limited time to meet a deadline.
They also come with many other benefits: they’re likely to be already formatted to meet specific standards and specifications, optimised for SEO, and usually free (or very affordable).
7. Blogging functionality
It’s no surprise that blogging is good for business. In fact, marketers who blog are 13x more likely to receive a positive return on investment. Blogging helps drive traffic and sales and can establish you as an industry authority.
CMS's built-in blogging functionality makes writing regular blog posts easy and enjoyable. You can edit, add images and post your blogs with just a few clicks.
8. Content scheduling
Scheduling content means uploading posts for the system to publish later.
There are several tools on the market to accomplish this, but building a site from scratch is a lengthy endeavour involving some coding.
A CMS platform makes the process easy with an efficient built-in scheduling tool that allows you to queue up blogs, emails and other online content.
Popular CMS Platforms
Some of the more popular platforms on the market include:
1. WordPress
With over 43.2% of websites using WordPress, it’s the most popular CMS platform in the world.
WordPress is an easy-to-use, self-hosted platform popular with small business owners and freelancers.
What makes it so appealing and the most popular CMS platform in the world is that it’s simple and quick to make a site but easy to make your own with various plugins and themes. With more than 59,000 plugins, opportunities for what you can do are pretty close to limitless.
Pros
● It offers the flexibility and freedom to build any kind of website.
● There are thousands of themes and plugins available.
● The CMS platform is really well-designed for SEO.
● It allows you to download your content in XML format, making it easy to move to a different system if you choose to do so.
Cons
● The number of themes and plugins can be overwhelming.
● Custom solutions can be expensive.
● You are responsible for managing security and backups.
2. HubSpot CMS Hub
HubSpot's content management system is a popular all-in-one platform suitable for businesses of any size. Flexible and reasonably priced, it includes unique features such as SEO recommendations, drag-and-drop editors and adaptive testing.
Pros
● HubSpot website builder is easy to use, even if you have little to no technical skills.
● The CMS platform has smart content features to enable you to personalise your webpage to specific visitors or larger segments.
● It comes with built-in security features.
● It seamlessly integrates with the email marketing tool and sales CRM.
Cons
● The free version requires you to have HubSpot branding on your website.
● It isn't as well-suited for eCommerce websites as other CMS platforms.
3. Shopify
Shopify is one of the most popular eCommerce CMS platforms, and for good reason. It is an all-in-one hosted platform, which means you don’t need to buy hosting, install any software or manage things like updates and backups.
Shopify supports in-store sales, which is beneficial if you have a physical and online store.
Pros
● You can accept credit and debit cards as well as PayPal.
● There are lots of extensions and themes available.
● It has 24/7 support through live chat, email, phone and Twitter.
Cons
● Your costs can add up, especially if you add lots of third-party apps.
● You may find that you want to add functionality that isn’t available.
4. Wix
Wix is a cloud-based CMS platform and is popular amongst beginners.
Recognised for its ease of use and intuitive drag-and-drop interface, Wix allows users with little to no technical expertise to create and launch a fully responsive website.
Pros
● The drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to create pages that look exactly how you want.
● There are lots of pre-made templates to choose from.
● Wix App Market has a range of apps to add to your website (like WordPress’s plugins).
Cons
● Once you’ve chosen a template, you can’t switch to a different one.
● You can’t have an eCommerce store on Wix unless you upgrade to a paid plan.
● You can’t download your data and export it.
● If you’re using the free plan, you’ll have a Wix-branded domain name and ads on your website.
5. Squarespace
Squarespace is a popular CMS platform for its aesthetically pleasing templates and design-focused approach. The platform is a favourite amongst artists, designers and bloggers.
It allows users to create a DIY blog, eCommerce store or portfolio.
Pros
● It’s easy to use, as people without coding experience can easily create, edit and publish content.
● There are over 100 templates to choose from, covering a range of industries and styles, and each template is highly customisable.
● Squarespace integrates with Unsplash, allowing users to add free, high-quality photos to their website easily.
Cons
● Some of the features can take a lot of time to get used to.
● The CMS platform has a shortage of plugins and extensions compared to others.
Let Anchor Build Your Website
CMS is an ideal solution for professionals who need a high-quality website built quickly and may not have the coding knowledge or spare time to learn it.
However, sometimes, the best option is to have actual human developers work with you to create the website you want.
At Anchor, our web design and development specialists go beyond coding. We pay close attention to user experience to craft a website that achieves your business goals and exceeds your customer’s expectations. We’ll work closely with you to learn your objectives and how we can optimise your online presence, refining our approach through testing when necessary.
Drop us a line for web development and design that optimises your website for users every step of the way, from planning to Google results.
