A Content Management System (CMS) is a software application used to create, customise, and manage information. Most CMS can be used alone or in conjunction (integrated) with other applications. They can be set up directly on a network, the Internet, or even locally on a computer.

In a traditional CMS, the architecture links the back end to the front end. Content is created, managed, and stored, along with all digital assets, on the site’s back end. The back end is also where website design and customisation applications are stored. This content management back end and database is bound within the same system that delivers and presents content to devices and end users (front end). So, a CMS is comprised of:

• A database where content and digital assets are stored (back end)
• A content management back end where content is created (back end)
• An application where publishers and designers create and apply design schemas (back end)
• A front end that displays published content on HTML pages

CMS can be broken into two main types: Proprietary CMS and Open Source CMS. The term open source refers to software whose source code — the medium in which programmers create and modify software — is freely available on the Internet; by contrast, the source code for proprietary commercial software is usually a closely guarded secret. This means only people with access to the code, can modify and change it.

In simple terms, there are two main ways to build a website, either using an Open Source Content Management System (CMS) or a Proprietary or closed one.

The term open source refers to software whose source code — the medium in which programmers create and modify software — is freely available on the Internet; by contrast, the source code for proprietary commercial software is usually a closely guarded secret. This means only people with access to the code, can modify and change it.

• 'All in one' website build platforms with integrated hosting, such as Wordpress.com, Wix and Squarespace
• DIY Website builders without hosting, such as WordPress.org
• Independent developers or agencies who will usually favour an open-source platform or their own proprietary software

There are also many developers and agencies who have created templates and web builders with churches in mind. These may offer solutions which are more adapted to the needs of churches. Examples are ChurchThemes, ChurchEdit but you will find that nearly all platforms will have templates which are aimed at non-profits and community-type organisations.

The Church of England provides ACNY, a dedicated platform which offers all parishes and chaplaincies dedicated pages, with a good range of customisable features, is supported by ongoing development and is free. You may find that if your requirements are relatively simple and you do not need a dedicated website domain address, ACNY can act as your primary web presence.  The Church House comms team provide support and webinars to help you make the most of ACNY.

You can read more about ACNY on the CofE website here and link to the editor help centre but below is a summary of the key benefits and features:

Key benefits:

• Completely free – no costs for hosting, setup or development
• Simple to update – designed for people with no prior website experience
• Training and support available - 'how to' guides and videos, regular daytime and evening webinars, and a support team to answer your questions  
• Secure – we handle security and access. Never lose access to your website again, even if volunteers leave  
• Mobile friendly and visible on search – Google search prioritises web pages which are mobile friendly. Your AChurchNearYou.com site will often appear on the first page of search engine results for your church.
• Continuous improvement – editor feedback shapes our development plans for the site
• Solutions for multi-church benefices - save time by copying content across your benefice site and individual church sites. Customise with the language of your choice (e.g. 'Team Parish' or 'Team Ministry' instead of 'benefice').  

Key features:  

• Customisable homepage – highlight upcoming events and key news, add online donation button
• Services and events calendar and news pages – keep everyone up to date
• Add your own pages – option to add custom pages if you wish
• Contact form – all messages you receive via the site are sent direct to an email address of your choice for you to reply from.
• Embed video – easily displays your latest recording if you film your services.
• Web address options - if you have an existing web address you can redirect it to your AChurchNearYou.com site, or you can get a new one of your choice and use that.  

We have listed a few available platforms and website builders that offer packages or templates specifically for churches. These are not necessarily recommendations as there are so many variables it's important to assess your specific needs, resources and skills before making a decision. Please note: where mentioned costs were correct at the time of publishing but are subject to provider changes.

ChurchEdit (proprietary)

A well-established provider of proprietary websites for religious organisations, many Church of England parishes and diocese use ChurchEdit. 

Cost: £599-£4999

Squarespace (proprietary)

A well-known and used 'drag and drop' website builder with modern, clean templates and integrated hosting. It also offers options like logo design. You can test it out with a free trial that last 30 days.

Cost: From €11/month

Wix (proprietary)

Wix is one of the most popular and arguably the easiest drag-and-drop and most comprehensive web builder that offer a wide range of templates, build options and functionality with integrated hosting. You can test the web builder for free without a time limit.

Cost: From Free with Wix advertising and free domain (e.g. www.wixsite.yourdomainname) or €17/month*

*Wix also regularly offers 50% discounts for the first year.

WordPress.org (open-source)

WordPress is the best-known and most widely used open-source CMS platform (64% of sites). Although it costs nothing to use the software, you'll have to pay for a domain, web security, hosting, and premium themes and plugins. You also need to learn how to use the CMS.

Cost: Initially free but there are variable set-up and maintenance costs.

WordPress.com

More recently WordPress also offer a site builder option with integrated hosting. The interface may not be quite as intuitive as some other drag-and-drop editors but does have some benefits like being able to change your design template and export your content if you want to move your website to a new provider.

Cost: from free with advertising and WordPress domain prefix or from €8/month

Are WordPress.org and WordPress.com the same thing?

“WordPress” itself is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) used to build and manage websites. WordPress is open-source software written, maintained, and supported by thousands of independent contributors worldwide and powers millions of websites. WordPress.org is the home page for the WordPress project. 

WordPress.com is a commercial enterprise owned by Automattic, a company started by one of the founding developers of WordPress and staffed by full-time developers, designers, and support engineers. 

Other Open Source platforms

Although WordPress is the most used open-source platform, there others which are well supported by communities of developers. Some well-known examples are Drupal, and Joomla but to use these specialist developer skills will be required.