Content Management Systems (CMS) have existed for over two decades. In the mid-1990s, the first CMS products came into view to make website development easier in response to the rise of the World Wide Web and the need for frequent website updates. Initially, these products were proprietary and closed-source, including Interwoven, Filenet, and StoryBuilder.
However, in the early 2000s, open-source CMSs like WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla emerged and gained popularity. WordPress, in particular, became a crowd favorite with its plugin system and templates that allowed users to build websites without any knowledge of HTML or CSS. Today, these first-generation CMSs are still widely used for creating websites and managing content.
As we move forward into 2024, we will witness several trends resulting from technological advancements that are crucial to keep up with if you want to stay ahead in the CMS industry.
But before we dive into these trends, let’s give a brief overview of content management systems.
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Defining Content Management System (CMS)
A content management system defines the software application that is designed and developed to help users create, modify, and manage website content without the need to understand technical jargon. In simple terms, it allows users to build a website using different available templates without writing the code from scratch or even without any coding expertise.
CMS provides a user-friendly interface that allows users to easily handle different types of content like images, videos, texts, documents, and more. The content is typically stored in a database and presented at the front end of the website using a set of pre-designed templates. Also, it allows users to customize the functionality and design of the site simply by installing plugins and purchasing templates.
Why Invest in CMS Development?
Some of the reasons why a business should invest in hiring developers to create a content management system rather than going for the ones already available in the market are as follows:
- Customized Solutions
- Integration
- Scalability
- Security
- Ownership and Control
Customized Solutions
Businesses today have many options when managing content, including off-the-shelf content management systems (CMS). However, while these pre-built solutions offer some useful features, they can't always provide all the functionality that a particular business requires. That's where investing in CMS development comes in.
By working with a team of experienced developers, businesses can create a CMS platform tailored to their needs without worrying about excessive functionality that may come with off-the-shelf solutions.
Integration
When you opt for custom CMS development, you get the advantage of integrating third-party applications, such as analytical tools, CRM systems, and e-commerce, into the system for smoother data exchange and workflows.
Scalability
Aside from the benefits mentioned earlier, businesses can also enjoy a flexible CMS architecture that adjusts to the content volume, user traffic, and additional features of the system.
Security
Customized CMS platforms also come with robust security measures such as user authentication, data encryption, and access control to meet security requirements and compliance standards.
Ownership and Control
Instead of relying on the third-party vendor for security, updates, and feature enhancements, businesses can have control and ownership over the custom-developed CMS solution, leading to better self-sufficiency and flexibility.
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5 Key Trends in CMS Development 2024
Top 5 CMS development trends to watch out for in 2024 are as follows:
- Generative AI
- Workflow Automation
- Headless CMS
- Voice Interfaces
- Security Prioritization
1. Generative AI
Gen AI has gained massive expansion in 2023. Based on a report from Fortune Business Insights, it is now expected to reach a whopping $667.96 billion by 2030. That being said, Gen AI is also revolutionizing how content is created and managed in CMS.
It allows users to automate content creation, optimize SEO, and manage content smoothly. Some of the popular Gen AI projects in the market are ChatGPT, Dall-E, Bard, Copilot, and Jasper. These tools can also be integrated into the CMS platform to help users build content more rapidly than ever before.
2. Workflow Automation
The workflow automation market is projected to hit $34.18 billion by 2029 according to the report by Mordor Intelligence. Given that, saying that it will play a key role in content management systems will not be wrong.
To bring automation in customized CMS workflow, developers can identify workflow steps, create custom modules to automate tasks, define automation logic, integrate required third-party tools, and add a dashboard for users to configure automation settings.
3. Headless CMS
Traditionally CMS systems used to have a tightly coupled architecture connecting the front and back end of the web application. Now with the rise of headless CMS which is expected to reach the $1500 million market by 2027, we will see a shift towards decoupled and modular content management systems.
This architecture will separate content creation and management from the front end of the web app, allowing developers to use different tech stacks for both parts, giving the independence to acclimate to changing user demands easily.
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4. Voice Interfaces
As technology continues to advance, voice interfaces are increasingly becoming a relevant trend in content management. They offer a convenient hands-free way to interact with content, resulting in a seamless user experience. Incorporating voice capabilities into content management systems enhances accessibility and increases audience engagement.
Users can give verbal commands to search for specific information on a website or request updates on the latest articles from a blog. By integrating voice interfaces into content management systems, businesses can align themselves with the changing preferences of their users while also improving accessibility.
5. Security Prioritization
Cyberattacks and threats continue to rise, making it vital for businesses to secure their software solutions and CMS systems are no exception. According to Statista, the cybersecurity market tends to grow at a CAGR of 10.56% and reach $273.60 billion by 2028. Therefore, businesses will be required to add robust security measures to ensure the privacy of the content management system.
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Conclusion
Content management systems (CMSs) are crucial aspects of multiple industries that manage digital content such as publishing, e-commerce, healthcare, government, education, travel and hospitality, etc. To stay ahead of the game in this dog-eat-dog world, it becomes imperative to keep up with the latest trends and implement them in your customized CMS software solutions.
In conclusion, the top trends in CMS development to keep an eye on include generative AI, workflow automation, headless CMS, voice interfaces, and security prioritization.
Also, if you are a business looking for an experienced team to build tailored CMS solutions, then all you have to do is contact our experts and book a free consultation today!
