What is a CMS?

I have been developing websites since 2011. I started developing websites when designers were questioned whether they were real designers if they used platforms such as WordPress and other Content Management Systems (CMS). As CMSs gain popularity, this question does not seem as relevant anymore and I don't see myself as anything less than a web developer just for using one.

I feel that the reason for the drop in web design costs, besides the fact that there are more freelance designers and web development companies, is due to the popularity in designers choosing CMS platforms.  It would take a million hours (exaggerated) to code a website.  Companies would pay big bucks for the valuable time it took for a web development agency to complete a website.

I learned to design my first simple website using HTML, CSS and Javascript. It was exhilarating to start something from scratch where my design had to be integrated into the coding BUT, if a change was needed in the design and overall look, it would take hours to make those changes. Before completing my Web Design and Development Certificate, the prof introduced us to WordPress and other content management systems, such as Drupal & Joomla, as one of the learning modules. I learned that with a CMS, the coding infrastructure has been implemented so what's needed is to develop and incorporate the design.  This makes design changes and content changes more simple. After the introduction, my first thought was, why would I design a website from “scratch” when I could use a system where the main building blocks were already built? Why reinvent the wheel?

WordPress is known as a powerful CMS used in blogging and website building and is my choice in CMS. WordPress is backed by professionals contributing their time and effort in creating and maintaining this free and open source platform. Fast forward a few years and chances are high that your favourite website has been developed using WordPress or another CMS. Every designer has a favourite CMS that they design with and in my personal opinion, WordPress has bypassed most CMS with the progression of both templates, known as themes, and plugins, as well as the incredibly driven collaboration of professionals in the WordPress Community.