Posted on March 22nd, 2010Content management systems let you build and operate a website with very little technical experience, and absolutely no programming or web development skills. Using a content management system is about as easy as operating Windows, so if you’re confident in your ability to control your operating system, then you should be able to build and maintain your site effectively using a content management system. There are many content management systems available on the market today, some of which are free.
Although all content management systems offer a lot of the same functions, there are some very big differences between each CMS. The main differences are in the actual user interface, in which all of your site’s administrative functions can be handled. Generally speaking, all content management systems strive for a user-friendly interface, as this makes their software more appealing, but there are definitely those that are easier to use than others.
What Makes a Good CMS?
The real key to a good content management system is not the basic CMS itself, but rather it’s compatibility with third-party web applications known as plugins, which enhance the overall functionality of the software. Without these plugins many content management systems would be essentially useless when trying to execute more advanced functions. Aside from their compatibility with plugins, a good CMS will have to be very user-friendly, as this is the interface you’ll be using primarily to manage your website on a routine basis.
What is the Best CMS to use with Plugins?
Although nearly all popular content management systems are compatible with plugins, there is one that stands far above the rest – WordPress. WordPress was originally designed as a blogging platform, but thanks to the plethora of plugins that have been developed for it in the recent years, many people now use it to create, organize and maintain fully functional websites. There are literally hundreds, if not thousand of plugins created specifically for the WordPress platform, and although the program was originally a blogging platform, it is now used as a CMS by personal, small business, and even corporate users.
How Do I Use Plugins with WordPress?
Using a plugin with WordPress is extremely simple. All you need to do is download the plugin (it will be in a .zip file), and then go to the plugins area of your WordPress administrative panel. Then look for the area called “Add New.” At the top of this section you’ll find the option to upload your plugin. Simply upload the plugin and then activate it. Different plugins do different things, and are therefore placed in different areas of the administrative interface. If you’re having trouble finding out how to use a certain plugin you can visit the plugin home page, or you ca ask people in the WordPress forum, which is another reason why many people find WordPress to be such a user-friendly solution. Since so many people use WordPress on a daily basis, you’re guaranteed to find an answer to nearly any question you can imagine.
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