Content Management is basically a system that automates most of what you do manually on-line without ever opening up your HTML editor !

Once you have a Content Management System in place, you can publish articles, delete or edit content, manage passwords, give administrative access, put up links, photos and manage a complete website without ever knowing the meaning of HTML. Basically, if you can click a mouse you can manage even a site like Amazon.

Practically all e-commerce enabled websites with shopping carts etc., have Content Management Systems in place. Access to Content Management is by a password protected administrative panel.

The biggest advantage of a Content Management System is that you can operate it from a remote location. Its just like checking your email on Yahoo or Hotmail with the only requirement being access to the Internet. For instance, say you are based in the US, you can actually edit your website while at a coffee bar in New Zealand. So if you have a successful affiliate website, you can be literally touring the world, and occasionally peeping into your webiste just to see how many sales you've made.

The disadvantage of having a Content Management System is that it allows very little structural modifications once the website is up and running. This is fine if you are a web-design expert but if you have got your website designed professionally that entails major revisions to the website which will cost you a lot. Web design companies generally fleece their clients on modifications and that's why major companies have their own IT departments manage their corporate websites.

You now have a broader perspective on what options you have in managing your website should you decide to migrate to a higher level of web management.