CMS.

A CMS, which stands for Content Management System, is the software behind a website that lets you edit content without writing code. You log in to an interface, change some text, replace an image, or create a new page, and the system ensures that the change appears on the website. Well-known examples include WordPress, Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, Joomla, and Webflow.

How a CMS Works

A CMS separates content from design. The design defines once and for all how headings, images, and spacing will look. You manage content—such as text, blog posts, or testimonials—separately in fields or collections, and the system combines the two to create finished pages. This way, even someone without technical knowledge can publish a post without breaking the layout.

W3Techs tracks the prevalence of individual systems. As of October 4, 2026, WordPress powers 40.2 percent of all websites, which corresponds to 58.6 percent of websites with an identifiable CMS. By comparison: Shopify accounts for 5.4 percent of all websites, Wix for 4.2 percent, Squarespace for 2.4 percent, Joomla for 1.1 percent, and Webflow for 0.8 percent. W3Techs does not detect a CMS at all on 31.5 percent of all websites.

What Your Business Should Keep in Mind

Choose the system based on who will be maintaining the site later on. If you want to update the text, images, and job postings yourself, a simple interface is more important than any extra features. Have someone show you how to edit the site before you get started, and try it out for yourself.

Widespread use is not an indicator of quality. A widely used system has many extensions and experts, but it also requires regular updates. We measured how different systems perform in terms of loading time in our article “WordPress, Wix, Jimdo, TYPO3: Which System Loads the Fastest in Cologne? ”

Make sure you know in advance how you’ll retrieve your content. In our experience, migrating content later on is often more complicated with closed content management systems than with open ones. Ask about export options before you commit.

Be sure to factor in ongoing costs. Licenses, hosting, updates, and add-ons are expenses that occur every year, not just at the start. You can find a breakdown on our page about website costs.

Frequently Asked Questions About the CMS

Is WordPress the best CMS? According to W3Techs, WordPress is by far the most widely used system, but that doesn't automatically make it the best fit. For a small business website, a streamlined website builder may be sufficient, while for an online store, a dedicated e-commerce platform is often a better choice.

Do I even need a CMS? If your content hardly ever changes, not necessarily. But as soon as you want to publish testimonials, job postings, or blog posts, a CMS saves a lot of coordination. Even a one-pager can be maintained using a CMS.

Does the CMS affect load time? Yes, through templates, extensions, and hosting. The Core Web Vitals show whether your site is fast enough.

At the start of every web design project, we determine which system is right for your business before we begin the design process.