Glossary

CMS

Definition: A Content Management System is software that enables users to create, manage and publish digital content without requiring technical coding knowledge.

A CMS (Content Management System) is a software platform that allows users to create, edit, organise and publish digital content — typically without writing code. CMSes separate content from presentation, making it possible for non-technical users to manage websites.

Types of CMS

  • Traditional / Coupled CMS — The backend (content management) and frontend (rendering) are tightly coupled. Examples: WordPress, Joomla, Drupal.
  • Headless CMS — Content is managed in a backend and delivered as JSON via API to any frontend (React, Vue, mobile apps). Examples: Contentful, Sanity, Strapi.
  • Static Site Generator + CMS — A headless CMS combined with a static site generator (Next.js, Hugo, Astro) to produce fast, pre-rendered pages.

Key CMS Features

  • WYSIWYG or block-based editor.
  • Media library for images and files.
  • User roles and permissions.
  • SEO fields (meta title, meta description, canonical URL).
  • Plugin/extension ecosystem.

Market Share

WordPress powers approximately 43% of all websites on the internet, making it the most widely used CMS by a large margin.

Free Tools