Web authoring or content management systems are commonly used for version control and multipoint content development for websites.

With websites that are developed using HTML or ASP, active server pages for dynamic content, the master copy of the website tends to be held offline in a single location. Collaboration on pages needs to be carefully managed to insure that published content is of the correct version. Using web authoring systems, users from any location can work on pages and contribute to content development.

There are many open source and free systems that through collaborative development of plug-ins and modules under the model of open source have become far more than just simple

 systems for posting a corporate message.

These systems typically have plug-ins for:

Template management

Files management

News bulletins

Discussion Forum

Blogging

Shopping carts

Media galleries

Content syndication (RSS)

Internationalisation (implementation of Multi-lingual support)

At the back end is normally a database, often for open source systems served by MySQL, which must be installed on the hosting server. Many web servers will already be pre-configured with MySQL. Some of the content management systems can be copied directly to a web folder and then unwrapped ready to run a web based configuration wizard to set up a basic website ready for accepting content and customization of page templates.

Templates are key to a consistent style and can be changed to transform the look of the site. These systems do however tie users to limited page design options in terms of image placement and text wrap. More experienced web designers can often add HTML containers to a page allowing for a bit more creativity in page layout.