Introduction

Content management systems can bring a world of difference to the Internet.  Reading content, which the web is filled with, can be nearly impossible without a CMS.  CMS or content management systems power many of the websites that you use on a daily basis.  Whether you are checking the news or reading your favorite blog, chances are that some website that you use each and every day is using a content management system.

Top Ten Content Management Systems

10. Expression Engine

Expression Engine is a great contenet management system for those who are designers and web professionals.  Expression Engine has a large amount of flexibility that lets it be molded into whatever use is conducive to its owners.  Best of all, Expression Engine has a built in cache function that can help the busiests websites sustin themselves during high traffic periods.

9. Drupal

Drupal is an open source, completely free CMS.  This means that users do not have to worry about paying to deal with their content management system.  Drupal also has thousands of add-on modules and is able to create any site that you desire.  The modules and add-ons are a stunnign way to increase your ability to mold the sites that you would like in the future.

8. Joomla

Joomla is unique in the fact that it wants its users to succeed.  Joomla is developed through an open source initiative that gives more effort towards wanting their users to know what is going on with the project.  Even if you are not an expert, you are encouraged to get involved in Joomla and help it to become the best content management system out there.  Best of all, feedback costs nothing!

7. Concrete Five

Concrete Five lets users who are not super technically experienced create amazing websites.  You do not have to be on the top of the world to realize that a lot can be done with Concrete Five.  Drag and drop functionality as well as the free cost brings Concrete Five in at number seven in our countdown.

6. Cushy CMS

Cushy CMS is another user friendly non-technical CMS.  It is currently deployed to over 10,000 websites that are live and being displayed on the Internet right now.  Users are able to safely and easily download and upload content as well as make edits to content on their installations.  Cushy CMS is safe for those who are not experienced and want to try a CMS out for the first time.  Cushy CMS also does not cost anything.

5. Symphony

Symphony is a CMS designed for developers.  Anyone who enjoys going in and digging around with code will love using this content management system.  However, there are a lot of people who do not like doing so.  Symphony is versatile and easy to use for developers but might not be the first choice for those that are not as technically inclined.

4. Mambo

Mambo is very well known to developers and users of CMS.  Mambo has the ability to be complex as well as very simple.  It is up to the user how complex they want to take the system.  Don’t worry if you don’t know much.  Mambo is hosted on sourceforge, one of the largest open source development communities in the world.

3. PivotX

PivotX is an easy to use open source blog CMS.  It is great for any type of site you are building regardless of how simple or complex it is.

2. Railfrog

Railfrog is built on top of Ruby on Rails.  This is the same powerful software application that has Twitter and Basecamp as some of its sister websites.  Railfrog does require that developers know a little bit about how to use and code Ruby on Rails.  However, they provide excellent information and are willing to work with anyone who does not have all of the necessary experience to work with Ruby on Rails.

1. WordPress

WordPress is an amazing blogging software!  While it is first thought of as a blogging software, the software in WordPress can be used to create websites and manage loads of content as well.  WordPress is used on over 10% of the Internet today.  Check out where you can use WordPress and how you can use WordPress by looking at their websites along with the codex for all of the developer support that is necessary.

There is a content management system for almost everything.  Whether you have found the perfect CMS or not, you have learned a large amount about what a CMS can do for your web presence. What is your favorite CMS? Please share in the comments.