What is a CMS?
By Tom · Last reviewed · 5 minute read
A CMS (content management system) is software that lets you create, manage and update your website's content without writing code. Instead of editing HTML files, you use a simple editor to add text, images and pages. WordPress, Wix and Squarespace are popular examples.
On this page
Why use a content management system?
A CMS lets you take control of your website without relying on a developer for every change.
Update your website yourself
With a CMS, you can add new pages, update text, upload images and publish blog posts whenever you need to. No waiting for a developer and no extra cost for simple changes. That independence is valuable for small businesses that need to respond quickly.
No coding skills needed
Modern CMS platforms use visual editors that work like word processors. If you can use Microsoft Word, you can update your website, without needing expensive technical help.
Consistent, professional design
A CMS uses templates so every page on your website looks professional and matches your brand. You focus on the content; the system handles the presentation. This avoids the inconsistent look you can get when editing HTML directly.
Add features as you grow
Need a contact form, a booking system or an online shop? CMS platforms offer plugins and extensions that add features without custom development. Start simple and add features as your business grows, without rebuilding your whole website.
What does a CMS do?
These are the core features that make a content management system useful:
- Content editing: add and edit text, images and media through a visual editor without touching code.
- User management: create accounts for other people with different permission levels (admin, editor, author).
- Templates and themes: choose from pre-designed layouts and customise colours, fonts and styling.
- Plugins and extensions: add features like contact forms, SEO tools and booking systems.
- Media library: upload and organise images, videos and documents in one place.
- SEO tools: set page titles, descriptions and URLs for search engines.
Comparing popular CMS platforms
Each platform has its strengths. Here's how the most popular options compare for UK small businesses. Prices are rough guides and change often, so check each provider's current pricing.
WordPress
Type: self-hosted CMS. Cost: free (hosting from about £5 to £50 a month). Best for: businesses wanting full control and flexibility.
Pros:
- A huge plugin ecosystem (tens of thousands of plugins)
- Thousands of professional themes
- Full ownership of your content
- Highly customisable
- Great for SEO
- Active community support
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve
- Needs separate hosting
- Needs security maintenance
- Can be slow if not optimised
Wix
Type: website builder. Cost: about £13 to £35 a month. Best for: beginners wanting an easy setup.
Pros:
- Very easy drag-and-drop editor
- Hosting and design all in one
- Quick to get started
- Good selection of templates
- Built-in features included
- No technical knowledge needed
Cons:
- Limited customisation
- Can't move your site to another host
- Slower page speeds
- Less suited to larger businesses
Squarespace
Type: website builder. Cost: about £12 to £40 a month. Best for: creatives and portfolio sites.
Pros:
- Polished, designer-quality templates
- Excellent for visual content
- Built-in online shop features
- Good blogging features
- Reliable hosting included
- Strong customer support
Cons:
- Limited third-party integrations
- Can't move your site elsewhere
- Less flexible than WordPress
- Higher ongoing costs
Shopify
Type: e-commerce platform. Cost: about £25 to £344 a month. Best for: online shops and retail businesses.
Pros:
- Built specifically for selling online
- Excellent payment processing
- Good stock management
- Reliable and secure
- Lots of e-commerce apps
- 24/7 support
Cons:
- Transaction fees on some plans
- Limited for content that isn't about selling
- Expensive for small shops
- Basic blog features
CMS or website builder: which do you need?
Understanding the difference helps you make the right choice.
| Self-hosted CMS | Website builder | |
|---|---|---|
| Examples | WordPress, Drupal, Joomla | Wix, Squarespace, Weebly |
| Ownership | You own your content, and can move to any host and export all your data | Platform lock-in: you can't move your site to another provider |
| Customisation | Change any part of your site with themes and plugins | Limited to what the platform allows |
| Cost | Lower long-term costs: hosting from about £5 a month, no percentage of sales | Monthly fees that add up over time, with hosting, design and tools bundled together |
| Getting started | Needs more setup: you arrange hosting and the initial configuration | Easy: sign up and start building straight away |
Tip: For most UK small businesses that want to edit their own site, I'd recommend WordPress. It offers the best balance of ease of use, flexibility and long-term value. You own your content, can switch hosting providers whenever you like, and there are thousands of plugins for almost any feature you need.
How to choose the right CMS
Ask yourself these questions when deciding which content management system suits your business.
- How technical are you or the people who'll update the site? If you're comfortable learning new software, WordPress offers the most flexibility. If you want the simplest possible experience, consider Wix or Squarespace.
- What is your budget? WordPress has the lowest long-term costs (just hosting fees). Website builders charge monthly fees that add up over time, but include hosting.
- Do you need an online shop? Shopify is built for e-commerce. WordPress with WooCommerce is more flexible but needs more setup. Squarespace has decent built-in e-commerce.
- How important is SEO to you? WordPress with SEO plugins like Yoast offers the most control. Website builders have improved but still give you less flexibility for advanced SEO.
- Do you want to own your content? With WordPress, you can export everything and move hosts freely. With Wix or Squarespace, you're locked into their platform.
- Will you need custom functionality? WordPress has a plugin for almost any feature. Website builders have more limited app stores and fewer customisation options.
If you'd like a WordPress site that's easy to manage, see my WordPress websites. You might also want to read what WordPress is.
Questions people ask
What is a CMS?
A CMS (content management system) is software that allows you to create, manage and update website content without needing to write code. Instead of editing HTML and CSS files directly, you use a user-friendly interface to add text, images and other content. Popular examples include WordPress, Wix and Squarespace. A CMS separates your content from your website's design, making it easy for anyone to keep their site up to date.
What are the most popular CMS options?
The most popular CMS platforms include WordPress (the most widely used CMS in the world), Wix, Squarespace, Shopify (for online shops), Drupal and Joomla. WordPress is the most flexible and widely used, particularly for businesses that want full control over their website. Wix and Squarespace are simpler but more limited. Drupal and Joomla are powerful but need more technical knowledge.
What is the difference between a CMS and a website builder?
A CMS like WordPress is open-source software you can install on any web hosting and fully customise with themes and plugins. A website builder like Wix or Squarespace is an all-in-one platform where hosting, design and content management are bundled together. Website builders are easier to start with but offer less flexibility. A CMS gives you more control and ownership but may need more setup at the start.
What are the benefits of a CMS for small businesses?
For small businesses, a CMS has several benefits: you can update your website yourself without paying a developer for every small change, several people can add content, your design stays consistent across every page, and you can add features like a blog, contact forms or a booking system easily. This saves time and money while keeping your website fresh and relevant.
Do I need a CMS for my website?
If you plan to update your website regularly, add blog posts or make content changes without involving a developer, then yes, a CMS is a good idea. For a simple website that rarely changes, a site without one might be enough. Most businesses benefit from a CMS because it gives them independence and lets them respond quickly when things change.
How do I choose the right CMS for my business?
Consider your technical skill level (WordPress takes more learning than Wix), your budget (WordPress is free but hosting costs extra; Squarespace has monthly fees), the features you need (online shop, bookings, more than one language), how much you expect to grow, and how much control you want over design and functionality. For most UK small businesses, WordPress offers the best balance of power and ease of use.
What is a headless CMS?
A headless CMS separates the content management back end from the front end that visitors see. Unlike traditional CMS platforms where content and design are tightly connected, a headless CMS stores your content and delivers it through an API to any front end: websites, mobile apps or other devices. Popular headless CMS options include Strapi, Contentful and Sanity. This approach is usually used for more complex, multi-platform projects.
Is WordPress still a good choice?
Yes. WordPress is still the most widely used CMS, has a huge ecosystem of themes and plugins, and keeps improving with features like the block editor. Because it's open source, you own your content and can move hosts freely. For UK small businesses wanting a professional website with room to grow, it remains one of the most versatile and cost-effective options.