A content management system (CMS) is used to manage the content of a website. The two elements of a CMS are the separate applications for managing the content (CMA) and its delivery (CDA). The CMA element allows whomever will be managing the content, but may not know how to write Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) code, to modify and remove content from a Web site more independently. That information is then used and compiled by the CDA element to update the Web site. Features of a CMS vary to provide simple or powerful and complex tools for building and modifying a Web site as a business grows. A CMS:
- lets an author use tools such as wizards or templates to create and modify Web content
- allows documents to be formatted into HTML or PDF for the Web site
- allows content to be updated to newer version or restored to a previous version
- tracks any changes made to files by individuals
- allows indexing, search, and retrieval
- indexes the data within the organization so individuals can search using keywords the CMS retrieves
- provides tools to tailor a Web site’s content and advertising for their needs and goals. For example, if you visit a search engine and search for silver coins, the advertising banners will advertise businesses that sell silver coins instead of businesses that sell pet food.
