A content management system created for the World Wide Web is a software based web application for the development and management of content, specifically HTML content. It can manage a very large amount of material. It also serves to create it, edit and maintain it. The software package offers authoring tools to allow even novices to create easily. Before the development of such systems, it was necessary to have a working knowledge of markup or programming languages. It is no longer necessary to be a professional coder in order to develop a presence on the internet.

A content management system uses a database to store information. This information could be in the form of metadata or other artefacts. Often it is stored as XML. This storage method helps with reusing and presentation. Web site visitors see the information through a presentation layer. The presentation is based on sets of templates which are often XSLT files. Server side caching is often used to enhance the performance. Administration is typically carried out through interfaces in the browser.

A content management system for the web can come in three different types. Those types are offline processing, online processing and hybrid. The names of the types indicate what type of pattern of deployment each uses. Online processing systems feature templates that are ready on demand. HTML can be created there or retrieved from a cache. This and other types support add-ons to increase functions. Some potential add-ons include forums, wiki, blogs and galleries. Online processing systems are often referred to as frying systems. Hybrid systems bring together online and offline features. These write code that is different than the typical HTML.

A content management system has many capabilities. It can create templates for output. These can be used for new content or that which already exists. They create an atmosphere of easy editing with user friendly tools. Plug-ins and other modules can easily be installed to create even more functionality. It can manage workflow by creating cyclical task patterns. It can manage documents from idea conception through publication and can create virtual copies of documents and the entire website if necessary. These systems have been in place since themed 19990's. Since then, they have evolved into an industry which gives virtually anyone and everyone the resources they need to create web presence. Computers are no longer solely the domain of technologically savvy programmers or coders.