In the current digital era, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and self-employed individuals face significant challenges and opportunities. Online presence has become essential, and efficient content management plays a crucial role. Content Management Systems (CMS) have emerged as essential allies for SMEs, enabling them to manage, organize, and publish content online efficiently. According to Zipper Research data, in 2022, 43.6% of websites use CMS, reflecting their growing relevance.

The use of CMS brings several advantages, such as:

• Time and resource savings: CMS simplifies content management, allowing SMEs to make changes without depending on programmers.
• Customization and flexibility: They offer customizable options, adapting websites to the specific needs of SMEs.
• Constant content updates: Facilitating the publication of new content, crucial for attracting and retaining visitors.
• Improved SEO: CMS includes tools for search engine optimization, increasing visibility.
• Access control and efficient collaboration: They allow role and permission assignment, facilitating collaboration.
• Ease of use and administration: Designed with intuitive interfaces, accessible to people without advanced technical knowledge.

To stand out in today's digital world, SMEs seek effective online presence, and CMS is essential for this purpose. There are two types of CMS: open source and proprietary. The choice depends on the size, resources, and goals of the company. It is essential to evaluate ease of use, scalability, costs, and support when selecting a CMS.

After selecting the type of CMS that best suits the SME, implementation and configuration are strategic and relevant processes. Detailed planning, role assignment, basic installation, design customization, menu and navigation configuration, and content migration are the steps to follow. Successful implementation and configuration ensure a content-ready website.

Some popular CMS options for SMEs and self-employed individuals include:

• WordPress: Versatile and easy to use, ideal for various purposes.
• Joomla: Powerful and scalable, suitable for more complex websites.
• Acquia (based on Drupal): Stands out in performance and security.
• Wix: Simple and design-focused, perfect for visually appealing websites.

In this regard, the choice depends on the needs and budget of the SME.

On the other hand, there are some SME success stories in implementing a CMS, such as Le Cocó, one of the most prominent and popular restaurant groups in Madrid, which has used WordPress to efficiently manage multiple restaurant websites. There is also the case of Festela, a clothing brand based in Barcelona that has opted for the Wix CMS, allowing them to effectively customize and highlight the uniqueness of their clothing designs.

In conclusion, the choice and successful implementation of a CMS are essential for the success of an SME or self-employed individual in a highly competitive digital environment. The diversity of options and success stories demonstrates that content management is a fundamental part of the digital strategy of SMEs that sometimes takes a back seat.