A CMS website can be thought of like a database for managing web content in one simple application with publishing tools, search, editorial capabilities, and so on. You will usually find that a web CMS is used for enterprise content management (ECM) and web content management (WCM).

What is a CMS?

A content management system (or CMS) was built to manage the creation and modification of digital content. A CMS system is essentially a software platform that lets organizations create, manage, and modify content on a website without requiring highly specialized developer technical skills and knowledge – anyone in a business can use a CMS. A CMS website can be thought of like a database for managing web content in one simple application with publishing tools, search, editorial capabilities, and so on.

You will typically find that a web CMS is used for enterprise content management (ECM) and web content management (WCM). ECM typically supports multiple users in a collaborative environment, ultimately to enable organizations to deliver relevant content to users. Alternatively, WCM is used in conjunction with web experience management (WEB) to build web-based experiences.

However, as new digital channels have emerged, such as mobile and smart devices, content has needed to be accessible and consistent across every touchpoint. To this end, traditional web CMSs have struggled to deliver the nuances required for these new channels. Therefore, portals stepped into the picture to help deliver a range of more nuanced interactions and benefits for organizations.

What is a Portal?

A portal is essentially a tool to help you build a variety of websites and web applications with a single access point. It shares similarities with a CMS in organizing web content, but it functions differently – often as a private location requiring a customer or partner login. A portal can also bring together a range of native additional features such as a document library, forums, wikis, and even personalized blogs tailored for the user’s experience.

A portal – also known as a web portal – is suited for nurturing long-term customer relationships after purchase. Portal functionality is extremely useful for experiences that require a user to log in. This can be especially true in the B2B sphere, where customized ecommerce experiences are required. However, in some instances, they can offer limited functionality for the full range of business cases, and can sometimes be complex and costly depending on the organizational requirements and product/service offerings.