Have you ever listened to tech people and web gurus talk about CMS? What is a CMS and how can it help you as a business owner? CMS is an acronym that stands for “content management system.” CMS are used in a variety of technical applications to perform complicated tasks. By definition, a CMS is a collection of procedures used to manage workflow in a collaborative environment. But if that definition confuses you, don’t worry, I am too! In a nutshell, a CMS is a simple way for you as a business owner to create a stunning website for your business. What are the advantages of using a CMS?
You don’t need to know how to write code or design websites to use one. Content management systems are designed so that you can use a WYSWYG editor (often referred to as “curly wig” but means What you see is what you get). This type of editor allows you to see what you will get as the final product as you change it on the screen. For example, Microsoft Word is a WSYWIG editor. When you select a word and make it bold, it becomes bold before your eyes. What you see is what you get. You don’t need or want to see the code behind making that happen, all you want is one bold word and that’s what you get.
You don’t need a great eye for design. Most of these systems have color charts that let you know which colors go well together. While you can choose your own colors, for most of us using the color charts is the best way to design a site. They also have templates you can use to make the graphics and all parts of the site appear to match thematically. This makes life a lot easier if you don’t know much about design.
They often offer advanced options that the person of legal age could not code into their site. For example, you may have the ability to add audio and video tracks to your website with ease. You may be able to get flash animations that make your site look more stunning and professional. Contact forms and even live chat modules can sometimes be used to let your customers get in touch with you quickly from your site.
Content Management Systems or CMS are a great way for the average person to build a great site for their clients and get more business from the web. Without a system like this, you can spend hours coding a site and you may never get it right. These systems are designed to be idiot-proof, so you don’t need to be a programmer to create a site that looks professional.