A content management system (CMS) is a software application that help users create, manage and modify digital content. The CMS used by a business can determine the expanse of its online presence and customer base. Companies want to be able get as much information that will help them or their digital marketers improve customer satisfaction and connect to more audiences.

Of the various systems available in the market, Sitecore CMS is arguably the most popular enterprise-level CMS for the web because it packs content management, analytics, and personalisation into one platform. Sitecore is known as the e-commerce platform that gathers insights about clients’ activities and choices while visiting a website, across every device, in real time. Besides providing ways to collect and analyse data for improved marketing, Sitecore's various features also make life easier for other operational aspects of the business.

From import and export functionality to an extensive support system for technical issues, we take a look at Sitecore’s top eight features and benefits for developers.

• Easy integration
  The system can be integrated into commonly used software such as CRM (customer relationship management), Salesforce, and other data-collecting systems.

• Security
  Sitecore allows developers to restrict access and content-user capabilities. Access can be restricted at the account or item level, providing more flexibility for projects involving multiple stakeholders. Sitecore’s security model also provides an Inheritance access right (controlling whether security rights can be passed from parent items to child items) with the ability to grant the Inheritance access right on a per account basis.

• Separate design and content
  Content management and content delivery can be dealt with separately when using Sitecore so developers can concentrate on their main tasks such as managing client demand, administration, and security.

• Flexible configuration
  Sitecore’s CMS is fully customisable, and almost anything can be overridden or extended. Sitecore’s kernel is built using ‘dependency injection’, meaning that in the web.config you can swap out the Sitecore classes with your own, and even have the option to extend or rewrite how default functionality works.

• Import functionality for other projects
  Developers can export customised functionality from Sitecore into a package that can then be imported to another project, giving the benefit of code reuse. Packages can contain Sitecore items, DLLs, web controls, templates, and CSS, and are installed and managed from the Sitecore desktop view

• Rapid development
  When using Sitecore, Developers can use external tools like Microsoft Visual Studio, allowing work to be completed faster. Debugging tools and code completion enhancements are also available and help to make a developer’s life easier by reducing errors.

• Deployment options
  Sitecore’s design enables developers to manage and deploy an unlimited amount of code across any of the sites, instantly.

• Extensive support system
  Sitecore Support contains a substantial Knowledge Base, online communities and a team of experienced developers, allowing companies and individual users alike to access support and insights on various issues. The support system is particularly helpful for developers, providing multiple answers and techniques to technical issues.

Sitecore is used in various industries, from the health and finance sectors, to heavy industry and engineering. It has a lot of credibility, counting Panasonic and Toshiba among its clients.

With research showing that brand reputation will be increasingly defined by customer experience over price and product in the next couple of years, many organisations are expected to choose Sitecore to strengthen their market position through engaging, personalised content.

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