Content Management Systems

   A content management system is a web application that ensures the ease of creating and managing a website, for people who are not web designers. Usually a CMS is made up of two parts, the CMA element and CDA. The CMA allows the creator of the site to customize it without having to know how to code HTML. The CDA element takes the information and changes the creator made and keeps it updated. Some of the most widely used CMS programs are Wordpress, Joomla and Drupal. All three of these CMS are free and have great advantages and disadvantages based on skill level.

 
   Wordpress was released by Matt Mullenwegg in 2003 and has by far the most users, due to it's easy installation and choices for customization. As it is the most popular CMS, Wordpress has the most themes and plugins. It can be tailored to create a website or a blog. Wordpress is a highly recommended CMS for beginners. Users of Wordpress are not required to have any skill in coding in PHP and HTML. A giant advantage to Wordpress, is that Wordpress will host sites from it's own server.


   Drupal was created in 2001 by Dries Buytaert. Like Wordpress, Drupal also offers a large amount of plugins. Out of "The Big Three", Drupal is considered the most technologically advanced and has the most flexible CMS. Users with at least a basic basis of knowledge in HTML, PHP and other programming languages have more control and flexibility considering customization and technicality in Drupal. Due to it versatility, Drupal fits the size and concept of any website.

   Joomla is the largest CMS for commerce and corporate sites. It kind of runs down the middle of Wordpress and Drupal. It does not require the amount of technical skills Drupal has and doesn't have as many themes and plugins as Wordpress, but is still a smooth operating CMS. Joomla makes it the easiest to set up a a social network or an online store. Joomla is the best CMS for those who desire a more powerful CMS than Wordpress, but want something easier to manage than Drupal.




Sources: Website Set Up, Tech Target