Not so long ago, creating and maintaining a website required at least some knowledge of HTML. Today, however, this isn't necessary. All thanks to CMS – a content management system that allows you to manage websites without any programming knowledge. Learn more about these engines, see how they work, and how you can use them!
CMS = Content Management System
CMS is an abbreviation for Content Management System. It's a type of software used to publish, organize, and modify content on websites . CMSs were created primarily to facilitate the management of websites—especially those that are constantly updated and expanded or contain a lot of content. These programs don't require users to know programming languages, and learning their functions is usually much easier than learning HTML or CSS. They are designed to be intuitive and relatively easy to use.
There are various types of CMSs, but most are managed through a dedicated administration panel. This type of software operates online – simply visit the appropriate website and log in to the panel to get started. Through the system, you can:
- add and modify articles,
- add and describe products, create categories and perform other activities related to running a store,
- add media (photos, graphics, videos),
- create and change menus,
- manage the appearance of the website,
- update the offer,
- and even manage your newsletter.
The exact scope of features and how they're used depend on the CMS you choose, but these programs are generally similar. Most also allow you to install additional modules that enhance the site's functionality (e.g., a rating or commenting system, a map, a contact form, etc.).
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Types of CMS
Content Management Systems can be divided into three main categories:
- open source,
- SaaS (Software as a Service),
- authorial, dedicated.
Open source systems (e.g., WordPress), based on open source code, are free and easily accessible. Users can create their own plugins, modules, and graphic templates. Therefore, they usually offer a wide range of possibilities. Of course, their great advantage is free access (although add-ons and templates often require a fee). Open source systems are usually very secure, but it's important to remember to update them frequently.
SaaS CMSs (e.g., Shoper) are subscription-based platforms, typically billed monthly. Users don't have access to the website's code, and the capabilities of such programs are usually quite limited. However, access to basic functions and the inability to implement dedicated solutions impact the ease of use of these systems.
Custom (bespoke) CMSs are created for specific clients. This solution is typically used exclusively by large companies due to its cost. A custom system includes a custom graphic template and features tailored to the client's needs. It is also typically designed for maximum ease of use. However, it also has certain drawbacks. First, creating a custom CMS is expensive. Furthermore, it permanently ties the client to the agency that created it. Its security against hacker attacks can also be quite weak.
How to choose a CMS – the most popular solutions
Choosing a CMS is a completely individual matter. Security, functionality, performance, and stability of the system should certainly be taken into account. Furthermore, it's worth checking its user experience—whether it's intuitive and user-friendly enough. Website optimization is also a crucial aspect . The more SEO tools you have, the better for your website's visibility in search engines, and therefore for your business.
If you have specific, demanding requirements and cost isn't a concern, you can purchase a dedicated CMS. However, most website administrators opt for off-the-shelf solutions. Review their key features and functions below to help you make the right choice.
It's the most popular CMS in the world, also frequently used by Polish internet users. It's an open-source platform, considered one of the simplest (if not the simplest). WordPress has many advantages. One of them is its huge community, which creates countless templates, plugins, and add-ons. This allows the system to be truly versatile. Another advantage is its intuitive administration panel. This makes WordPress ideal even for those who don't know any programming language or are unfamiliar with complex web tools. WordPress is, of course, free, although some templates and plugins require paid features. It's ideal for creating blogs and simple websites. Combined with WooCommerce, it can also be used to manage an online store . SEO tools are also available – websites built on WordPress typically have no ranking issues.
Joomla is also an open-source platform. It was once the first open-source system in this category. It is more advanced, but also somewhat less intuitive to use than WordPress. There are numerous tutorials and other educational materials available to help you become familiar with the tool. Internet users can also seek help on discussion forums, although the number of people using this system is decreasing.
This is a good choice for more advanced users who have high expectations for their CMS. It's also worth noting that the system has been translated into 64 languages (including Polish).
Drupal is an even more advanced system, suitable for managing complex websites. It has an extensive administration panel and numerous features that allow for efficient site management and various modifications. Consequently, its use is more complex. Furthermore, it requires at least basic knowledge of HTML, PHP, and CSS, making it not suitable for complete beginners.
Typo3 is a powerful CMS with a wide range of features. It's well-suited for simple websites, though it's not exactly simple itself. Therefore, it's recommended primarily for professionals and advanced users. It takes some time to get to know it, but it's modular and comprehensive. The system is compatible with thousands of extensions, allowing you to build exactly the website you dream of.
This versatile system, often compared to WordPress or Joomla!, is easy to use and suitable for creating a wide variety of websites. It's also suitable for beginners, as it's very intuitive and requires no specialist knowledge. However, compared to other similar tools, it has a limited number of plugins. However, it handles SEO very well and allows for effective website positioning.
Blogger is simple software designed for creating, as you might guess, blogs. It's a great tool for beginners, but its capabilities are limited.
Which CMS should you choose? It depends primarily on your skills and requirements, as well as the type of website you're building. The advantage of these solutions, however, is that you can try them out for free. Familiarize yourself with the administration panel and the capabilities of several platforms, and your decision will be easier!
CMS for online stores
There are also many CMSs available online specifically for creating online stores . These offer features useful for e-commerce users. They are often very user-friendly. The most popular solutions include:
- PrestaShop
- WooCommerce (used in conjunction with WordPress),
- Magento,
- Shopper,
- Shoplo.
Both open source and SaaS platforms are available, with varying levels of complexity. Therefore, everyone has a chance to find a tool that suits them.
Advantages of CMS systems
Is a CMS necessary to create or manage a website? Absolutely not. However, the popularity of these platforms speaks for itself. Their main advantages include:
- facilitating the work of creating, updating and modifying the website,
- intuitive operation, which means that creating websites does not require experience or specialist knowledge, in particular knowledge of programming languages,
- availability – most of these types of platforms are free,
- open source – most CMSs are open source platforms, which means you can use many plugins, templates and add-ons (and even create your own!),
- the ability to comprehensively manage website content,
- the ability to take care of aspects related to website positioning in Google and other search engines (SEO),
- the ability to create accounts with different permissions in the system,
- flexibility – the ability to create various types of websites, from one-page websites, through blogs, to multi-site portals or stores.
All of this means that most websites on the internet are now built using CMSs. This allows more people to manage their published content independently, while also providing convenient tools for everyone.
Summary
The above article covers the following topics:
- the principle of operation of CMSs and their role in website management,
- division of CMS systems into Open Source, SaaS and dedicated solutions,
- choosing a CMS based on ease of use, stability and expansion,
- CMS systems for e-commerce that facilitate online sales thanks to ready-made functions and simple operation,
- benefits of using CMS systems when creating and maintaining a website.
