A CMS, or Content Management System, is computer software used to manage the creation, modification, and publication of digital content. It is typically used for enterprise content management and web content management. A CMS has two major components: a content management application (CMA), which is the front-end user interface that allows a user, even with limited expertise, to add, modify, and remove content from a website without the intervention of a webmaster; and a content delivery application (CDA), which compiles the content and updates the website.
A CMS allows users to create, manage, and modify content on a website without the need for technical knowledge. It acts as a single place to store content and helps create and manage websites and website content using minimal technical overhead, so users can focus on creating content instead of acting as a project or traffic manager. A CMS typically has features such as indexing, search and retrieval, format management, revision control, and management.
CMSs come in all shapes and sizes, each with its own set of features and benefits. Some are ideally suited for bloggers, while others may be tailored to e-commerce sites with features for pricing and online store functionality. Examples of notable CMSs include WordPress, Squarespace, Contentful, Webflow, Ghost, and WIX.