Concrete CMS

Brief Overview of Concrete CMS

Concrete CMS is a free and open source content management system designed for teams to build, author, and publish digital content. It provides a robust content creation workflow that bridges the gap between simple website builders and complex development frameworks. The platform solves the common problem of difficult content updates by allowing users to edit directly on the live page. This open source solution is utilized across a variety of industries including banking, finance, manufacturing, and government. It operates under the MIT software license, allowing for extensive customization and use without liability. Organizations can utilize this system to maintain a professional online presence while keeping administrative overhead low. The software is built to be a foundation for custom website development while remaining accessible to non-technical editors. It focuses on providing a stable and secure environment for managing both simple brochure sites and massive administration systems.

Concrete CMS Key Features for Content Creators

• WYSIWYG On-Page Editing: This feature allows editors to modify content directly on the live webpage. Instead of navigating a complex backend dashboard, users simply click on the text or image they wish to change. This approach ensures that what the editor sees is exactly what the visitor will see, reducing the need for constant previewing and saving time during the production cycle.

• Ironclad Security Compliance: Security is a core component of this system, which is why it has been selected for use by the U.S. Army. It provides ISO:27001 certified security out of the box. For organizations with specific data protection needs, hosting options are available that meet SOC 2 and HIPAA compliance standards, ensuring that sensitive information remains protected.

• Advanced Permissions and Roles: The software provides a granular permission system that goes beyond simple administrator or editor roles. Access can be restricted down to the individual block level, ensuring that users only interact with the specific content they are authorized to manage. This level of control is essential for large teams or organizations handling sensitive data.

• Workflow Content Approvals: Quality assurance is maintained through a structured approval process. Before any changes go live, they can be routed through a series of reviewers. This workflow helps prevent errors and ensures that all content meets organizational standards before it is published to the public.

• Integrated SEO Tools: Visibility in search engines is managed through built-in tools that allow for bulk editing of metadata and SEO attributes. Creators do not need to install additional software to optimize their pages. These tools help improve search rankings and drive more traffic to the site directly from the core interface.

• Multilingual Support: Reaching a global audience is made possible through native internationalization features. The system allows for the creation and management of content in multiple languages, ensuring that functionality and text are accessible to users worldwide. This is handled within the core framework rather than through external add-ons.

• Mobile Responsive Grid System: The platform utilizes a responsive design framework that automatically adjusts the layout for smartphones, tablets, and desktops. It includes preview tools that allow creators to see how their content will appear on different screen sizes before publishing. This ensures a consistent user experience across all possible devices.

• Scheduled Publishing: This tool allows for the automation of content updates. Editors can set specific dates and times for content to go live or be removed from the site. This is particularly useful for managing time-sensitive announcements or maintaining a consistent posting schedule without manual intervention at the moment of publication.

• Built-In Interactive Elements: The system comes pre-packaged with a variety of functional blocks such as forms, surveys, and calendars. These elements allow for immediate engagement with the audience without requiring custom development or third-party integrations. This reduces the complexity of building interactive sites and keeps all data within one secure system.

• Version Control and Change Logs: Every modification made to a page is recorded in a detailed history log. Users can compare different versions of a page side-by-side to see exactly what changed. If a mistake is made, the system allows for an immediate revert to any previous version, providing a safety net for content editors.

Concrete CMS Target Users & Use Cases

Concrete CMS serves a diverse range of users from non-technical content editors to high-level software developers. It is particularly effective for organizations that require strict security standards and collaborative workflows.

• Primary creator types: Content managers, graphic designers, and PHP developers who need a flexible foundation for custom projects.
• Experience level: The software is suitable for beginners who can learn the basics of editing in under an hour, while providing deep API access for experts to build complex applications.
• Team size: It is designed for teams of all sizes, from solo entrepreneurs to large government agencies and Fortune 500 companies.
• Specific use cases:
  • Managing a complex registration system with custom data entities.
  • Running a regional government website with limited administrative resources.
  • Building a secure knowledge base for technical documentation and corporate wikis.
  • Creating a multilingual corporate presence for global manufacturing firms.
  • Deploying mission-critical web applications with GitLab and CI/CD pipelines.
  • Maintaining high-traffic sites with over 50,000 monthly page views.
  • Developing custom business applications using Express Objects for data relationships.
  • Hosting HIPAA-compliant healthcare portals for patient data protection.

How to Get Started with Concrete CMS

1. Choose a Hosting Type: Select between the Starter plan for small projects, the Business plan for professional teams, or a Custom SLA for mission-critical applications.
2. Install the Software: Utilize the open source core to set up the foundation of the website on your preferred server or through the provided hosting services.
3. Customize the Design: Use the website builder to select themes and customize pages, menus, and navigation to match your organizational brand.
4. Configure Permissions: Set up user roles and access groups to determine who can edit specific sections or blocks of content across the site.
5. Begin On-Page Editing: Navigate to the desired page, enter edit mode, and click on blocks to start adding or updating content directly on the live site.

Frequently Asked Questions About Concrete CMS

• Is Concrete CMS free? Yes, it is free and open source under the MIT software license, allowing for unlimited use, modification, and customization without licensing fees.
• What security certifications does it have? The platform provides ISO:27001 certified security and offers hosting options that are SOC 2 and HIPAA compliant for assured data protection.
• Does it support mobile devices? It includes a mobile-responsive grid system and built-in preview tools to ensure content looks correct on all screen sizes, from phones to desktops.
• Can I schedule content in advance? Yes, the system features built-in content scheduling that allows editors to automate the publication of updates for a consistent online presence.
• Is technical knowledge required to edit pages? No, the WYSIWYG interface allows non-technical users to edit content by pointing and clicking, making it as simple as editing a word document.

Bottom Line: Should Content Creators Choose Concrete CMS?

Concrete CMS is a premier choice for teams that need a balance between ease of use and professional-grade development capabilities. Its standout feature is the intuitive on-page editing that removes the technical barrier for content creators while maintaining a clean, modular codebase for developers. The platform is especially valuable for organizations in highly regulated industries due to its rigorous security standards and compliance certifications. While it offers paid hosting tiers for those who want managed services, the core software remains free and open source, providing a high-value proposition for those seeking a stable, long-term content management solution. It is a robust alternative for anyone who finds other systems too restrictive or too difficult for non-technical staff to maintain.