Content management system

A content management system (CMS) is a type of computer software that helps people create and change digital content. It is very useful for managing information on websites and in businesses.

One common use is for enterprise content management (ECM), where many users work together. ECM brings together tools for handling documents, storing digital items like photos and videos, and keeping important records safe.

Another use is web content management (WCM), which lets groups of people easily build and update websites. With WCM, you can add text, pictures, videos, music, maps, and even special features that let users interact with the content.

Both ECM and WCM help many people work together smoothly, making it easier to share and update information online.

Structure

A content management system (CMS) usually has two main parts. The first part is a content management application (CMA). This is the front-end user interface that lets a person, even without much technical knowledge, add, change, or remove content from a website without needing help from a webmaster. The second part is a content delivery application (CDA), which puts the content together and updates the website.

Installation type

There are two main ways to set up a content management system (CMS): on-premises and cloud-based. With on-premises, the CMS software is installed on a server. Examples include Drupal, Grav, Joomla, ModX, and Wordpress.org. Cloud-based CMSs are hosted by the company that makes them. Examples are Adobe Experience Manager, Contentful, Ghost, Optimizely, SquareSpace, Webflow, WIX, and Wordpress.com.

Different CMSs have different ways of sharing content. Some connect the content directly to one way of showing it, like a website. Others, called headless CMSs, separate the content from how it looks. This lets the same content be used on websites, phone apps, signs, or voice tools, using a special system called APIs.

Common features

A content management system (CMS) helps people create and change digital content. It usually includes tools for searching, saving, and managing documents. These systems let users easily find information by date, keyword, or author, and they can turn old paper or electronic files into web-friendly formats like HTML or PDF.

Other helpful features might include easy ways to set up websites, support for different languages, and tools that help with organizing content. Some CMS also offer extra options like simple installation steps, security features, and ways to add more functions through plugins.

Other types of content management systems

Digital asset management systems are a special kind of content management system. They help manage things like documents, movies, pictures, phone numbers, and scientific data, making sure each piece of content has a clear owner. Companies also use content management systems to store, change, and share their documents.

There are also component content management systems (CCMS). These systems manage content in small parts instead of whole pages, which is useful when the same information is used in many places. Another type is the Headless CMS. This kind of system separates the content from how it is shown, allowing it to be used on many different platforms easily.

Widely used CMSs

According to W3Techs, the most widely used content management system is WordPress, used by 61.7% of websites as of March 2026. Other commonly used content management systems include Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace.

Cross-reference

Structure

In a document, especially one made with a content management system, a cross-reference has two main parts:

• A visible part that the reader sees
• A hidden part that works inside the system

The visible part includes text and pictures that show what is being pointed to, help the reader follow the reference, and sometimes give a hint about what they will find.

The hidden part inside the system knows where the reference points to, helps show the right reference text, and can create a link for online readers to click and go directly to the referenced content.

Enhancing usability

When cross-references are well designed, readers can follow them whether the document is printed or online.

Authors using a content management system need to pick important topics that appear in many documents and create good cross-references to help readers understand these topics. Each cross-reference should clearly show where it points and make it easy for readers to follow, no matter how the document is shared.

Content strategy practitioners help plan content to meet business needs, thinking about how the content is made, kept up with, and supported by systems.