What is a component content management system?
A component content management system (CCMS) is a tool used to manage text-based content at granular levels. CCMS users can manage content down to paragraphs, topics, words, and concepts instead of at a document level. Component content management systems can be applied to internal and external content management.
Many technical writers use component content management systems to create documentation to share with others. These tools separate the content and layout from the structured environment while also offering multi-channel publishing for both print and digital.
Elements of component content management systems
Certain elements enable users to receive the most value from a CCMS, including:
- Content import and export: The ability to import and export content makes it easy for businesses to get pre-existing content up and running within a CCMS. Likewise, users can benefit from exportation capabilities if switching systems.
- Easy-to-use interface: CCMSs allow authors to share content with others quickly without wasting time navigating the platform. A straightforward interface also helps reduce the learning curve for new authors.
- Review capabilities: Teams can benefit from a collaborative review process built directly into the system. Systems with workflows, comments, and scheduling help teams publish content faster and integrate approval processes seamlessly.
- Content reuse and variation creation: Component-level content is perfect for reuse across documentation. Content reuse capabilities help teams populate content pages consistently with a single update.
- Multi-channel publishing: Component content management systems that offer multi-channel publishing make personalization and localization effortless.
Advantages of component content management systems
CCMSs offer some of the following unique advantages to businesses and teams.
- A single source of truth: With component-based content, teams build a single source of truth, providing better consistency and accuracy throughout the content. Managing a single source of truth also reduces the time spent updating content so that authors can focus on content quality, rather than consistency, across sites and devices.
- Traceability: A CCMS makes traceability easier while reducing department silos and eliminating outdated documentation. Teams can answer versioning and publication status questions within one system to stay on the same page throughout the content creation process.
- Content enhancement: Since components are reusable in a CCMS, teams can pull from existing elements rather than starting from scratch. This enables teams to prioritize enriching new content while taking advantage of previously existing work.
Drawbacks of component content management systems
There are some potential drawbacks of CCMS that businesses should be aware of.
- Content creation adjustment: Moving to a CCMS may require teams to adjust content creation processes and approaches. The initial investment in creating new processes, structuring elements on landing pages, and understanding content blocks can be time-consuming.
- Investment in external expertise: Businesses may need to invest in external consultants or experts to implement a CCMS, which can be costly.
CCMS vs. CMS
Component content management systems (CCMS) and content management systems (CMS) are used to manage digital content. The primary difference between these systems is how content is managed.
A component content management system (CCMS) manages content at a component or granular level. A traditional content management system (CMS) manages content at a document level, meaning content cannot be managed as smaller chunks of content.
Now that you know how to use a CCMS for some of your content needs, learn more about content curation and how to find the best resources for your audience.
Alyssa Towns
Alyssa Towns works in communications and change management and is a freelance writer for G2. She mainly writes SaaS, productivity, and career-adjacent content. In her spare time, Alyssa is either enjoying a new restaurant with her husband, playing with her Bengal cats Yeti and Yowie, adventuring outdoors, or reading a book from her TBR list.
