What is a CMS?

So you have seen the term CMS banded around the web and are wondering what it stands for? CMS stands for ' Content Managment System ' and is a piece of software (or computer program) that is installed on a web hosting server along-side a website build.

What does a CMS do?

The primary use of a CMS is to allow a non-technical person the ability to both publish and edit web page content on a website. It also allows a website designer / developer the ability to further enhance a website with more sophisticated functionality (for example: Contact Forms, Newsletter Sign-Ups, Search Bars etc). Common uses include: For a non-technical website user:

• Publish Website Content
• Edit Website Content

For a Website Designer / Developer: It allows a designer to develop further functionality such as:

• E-Commerce functionality.
• A News / Blog Section.
• Online forms (such as Contact / Enquiry Forms / Questionnaires etc).
• Newsletter Sign-up.
• An online community forum.

What different CMS packages are there?

There a lots of different CMS packages available, but some of the most common ones are:

• WordPress
• Joomla
• Magento
• ModX
• Drupal
• ExpressionEngine
• Concrete5

Which CMS is the best?

No one CMS package neccessarily stands out as ' the best ', as they all have their strengths and weaknesses. It's more a case of which CMS package would be ' the best fit ' for a website project. You will tend to find that web designers have a certain preference towards using a particular CMS (although some designers will try their hand at  lots of different ones!). This is usually down to the fact they gain a vast amount of knowledge regularly using one chosen solution, and can use that particular CMS to deliver the best solution for a clients website project. Choosing the right CMS should depend on whether it can deliver all the functionality that you require for your website project. The best way to find this out is to ask a web design expert, and explain what is required for your project.

What CMS do I use?

My personal choice for all my client projects is a CMS called Expression Engine. It is a powerful and robust CMS that allows me to develop many different types of website projects ranging from small brochure-style websites through to advanced high-end website solutions. Expression Engine gives me all the functionaliy I need to deliver the best solution possible for my clients website projects.