A CMS (Content Management System) is a web application which combines 3 major parts of the web content creation process:

• Produce HTML content
• Apply consistent visual style and site structure
• Host the site in a world visible and browsable location

Hosted content management systems, since they are world visible, require users and accounts in order to secure a web site. The owner of the site can provide access to 3rd parties for editing purposes.

A CMS will also act as a library that holds the assets (image, video, etc) used to develop the content for a site.

A CMS is a valuable tool in the contemporary web production process, but they also come with some negative aspects.

CMS Pros:

• Through templates, web production is easier as HTML, CSS, and javascript are mostly handled by expert sources.
• Systems are secured and updated by a 3rd party.
• A CMS will often provide easy methods for including site search and analytics integration.
• Since most systems are hosted in the cloud, websites created with them are already world visible and available for viewing.
  • Separate hosting accounts are not required.

CMS cons:

• Templates can be rigid, in that there may be limited changes that can be made to a site layout and design.
• Systems usually start off free, but cost money on a long-term basis.
• Generally, a site build in one CMS cannot be transferred to another.
  • Therefore, sites must stay on the same host (and with the same company) indefinitely.