The CMS

Content Management Systems (CMS) play a crucial role in website development. These systems, like the Statamic CMS, empower users to create and manage web content effectively. In this guide, we'll break down the essentials of navigating a CMS, making it easier to understand and utilize its core features.

When first entering the CMS dashboard, it might seem overwhelming at first. But don't worry, it's simpler than it looks! By focusing on a few key areas, like Collections and Entries, content can be managed with ease.

At the heart of every CMS lies a set of fundamental concepts that serve as the building blocks for website management. Two such terms we commonly refer to in the Statamic CMS are "Collections" and "Entries." Collections serve as repositories for categories of content, with each individual piece of content falling under an "Entry." Understanding this hierarchical structure is imperative to effectively organizing and managing website content.

Collections serve as the backbone of content organization within the CMS, providing a framework for categorizing and managing various types of content. For instance, a "Pages" collection may house individual web pages, each treated as a distinct entry within the collection. By leveraging collections, users can streamline the content creation and management process, enhancing efficiency and organization.

Collections can be accessed from the dashboard by selecting collections from the menu on the left hand side of the dashboard under Content. Once clicking on Collections any existing collections will show up below the Collections title.

Entries represent individual pieces of content within a collection, such as blog posts, product descriptions, or informational pages. Each entry serves as a container for specific content elements, allowing users to add, update, or remove content as needed. By harnessing the power of entries, users can exert greater control over the content displayed on their website, ensuring relevance and timeliness.

When viewing an existing entry or creating a new entry within the Content Management System (CMS), the entry blueprint serves as the essential framework where content can be entered or edited. This blueprint acts as a template, guiding users through the process of inputting or modifying content elements such as text, images, videos, and metadata. It provides a structured layout that ensures consistency and coherence across entries, facilitating seamless content creation and management.

Most of the pages on our site are built with the Page Builder. The Page Builder is how content sections (blocks) are added to the page.

The page builder button can be clicked to display a menu of page block options to choose from. There's an extensive list of page builder options that can be selected to add content to the page. More on that in the Building a Page document.

Mastering the intricacies of a CMS is essential for anyone involved in website development and management. By adopting a "Content First" approach and familiarizing oneself with core CMS terminology and functionalities, users can navigate the digital landscape with confidence and efficiency.