What is Content?

Content, in the context of content management systems (CMS), is information stored in a database which is displayed in different ways within your website.  Content is just words and images categorized in such a way that the system can apply consistent styles and categorization when presenting your content to visitors.

Content can be generated "on the fly" based on many different sources in the database and on the internet.  This provides a much richer experience for visitors.  Content that changes often and is well organized appeals to visitors, and is rewarded by the search engines.

Think about content as seperate from the design of your website.  CMS technology makes it possible to completely transform the look and feel of your content.  Stay focused on what your words say, not how they look.

Because content is stored in a database it is very easy to make a back up copy and move to an entirely different hosting provider.  It is even possible to move content between different CMS solutions.  When you choose an open source CMS it won't cost a thing to install your CMS wherever you want.

Whatever content "is", always remember it is your content and it shouldn't be held hostage by any technology or any technologist!