A CMS is a sophisticated system that controls the generation, storage, and publishing of information, usually onto the world wide web (the Internet). An example of a CMS with which you will all be familiar is the BBC News Website.

Typically, a CMS uses a database to store content and to control how (and when) it is published. A big advantage of most CMS is that you can change your own website just through your normal web browser, with only a minimal amount of training. Not only that, but many people in your organisation can potentially become producers and publishers of content onto your website, if you so wish.

An additional advantage of a CMS is that you can easily change the appearance of the site without having to redo all the pages, so you can give your site a makeover for a relatively low cost.

Content Management Systems have been in use for many years. However, it is only recently that it has been possible to offer such sophisticated capabilities to small businesses in a cost-effective manner.