A Web Content Management System (CMS) is essentially a system used to manage the content of a Web site. Content meaning the words, images and media you decide you want to have on your site and Management in the sense of administration i.e. how you decide you want the content arranged.

How it works

Unlike a standard HTML website, where the content is written on to each individual page using an HTML editor (the HTML equivilent of a word processor) and uploaded to a web server. With a content management system installed, the content within the pages that make up the site are pulled from an online database when a user requests a page by clicking on a link. A sort of online filing system if you will. The great thing about that of course is that you can write something once and easily have it appear in more than one place on your site at the touch of a button. 

The benefits of using a CMS

Instead of having to spend additional money on your site by paying out for an HTML editor, a CMS acts like a piece of online software which allows you to update your own pages on the fly, you don't even have to be in the office as you can access your site anywhere online with your unique login and password.

The CMS comes with its own wysywg (What you see is what you get) editor which looks and feels very much like a word processor so you feel at home right away and allows you to arrange text and images in much the same way and you don't need to be an expert to use it.