A Content Management System (commonly known as a CMS) is web-based software that allows one to control the content within a web site.

It allows the owner to create and amend content at will. Menu items, links, articles, gallery images and specialist modules can all be added by the administrator. As the system is web-based it esentially means that this content can be added or amended anywhere in the world and even from a mobile phone.

There are now hundreds of CMS offerings out there from free-to-download systems to customer made and very expensive versions. Nearly every major site you could name now uses a CMS, such as the BBC. The advantage it gives these companies is that any member of their staff can easily add their content which helps expedite their offering of information to their customers.

However, its one thing downloading a free piece of CMS software but they have now evolved so much that they have become incredibly functional and therefore actually quite complicated.

Of course, design is still a huge feature and will still be the most important factor in seducing a web site visitor.

Woking Web Design is a strong advocate of CMS and will push for its use in most situations although some sites will be best suited to a non-CMS set-up. We also feel that the open-source (free to download and use) CMS products are the best to use. The reasons for this are that the costs are kept down, they are well supported and development is a continually ongoing process and help is always at hand.

Woking Web Design will still design an excellent front end for use on your web site and more importantly, will sit down and show you how to use it! The power of the web will truly be at your finger tips.