Overview of CMS (SaaS)

CMS (SaaS) provides the infrastructure to maintain your content. Using CMS (SaaS), your content is not limited to one type of presentation layer (such as a website), so you can deliver your content to any platform you choose.

Content can be:

• as simple or as complex as you need, from basic text blocks to intricate page layouts.
• almost anything, including text, images, videos, and custom components tailored to your needs.
• organized using content types and properties that define the structure and presentation of your pages.

CMS (SaaS) includes an interactive UI where you can author content and view a live preview using Optimizely's Visual Builder, along with technology-agnostic REST and GraphQL APIs, which lets you manage content programmatically. By administering content in CMS (SaaS), you can focus on delivering business value on the front end.

Get started

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Note

First, familiarize yourself with the Content Management System (SaaS) end-user documentation for information on the UI and editing information.

Get started using a demo

Use a preconfigured demo site with pre-defined content to get started immediately. Starting with a demo site is ideal for those just starting out using content management systems, especially headless implementations. Advantages of using a demo include:

• Instant launch – A preconfigured site with content lets you launch a functional example immediately after configuration.
• Guided learning – Preconfigured content shows you the ideal way to structure your content, design your site, and use Visual Builder.
• Consistency – Everyone on your team starts with the same configuration, so content and organization are consistent.
• Foundation for customization – A sample site lets you customize and build on the sample content to fit your needs.

See Get started with a demo site.

Get started from scratch

Starting with a fresh installation is ideal for users familiar with content management systems and content modeling, especially customers who have used Optimizely's PaaS implementation CMS 12. Start creating content from scratch if you want:

• Full customization – Starting with a fresh instance gives you complete control over every aspect of the site, from content modeling to final design.
• Skill development – Learn and explore the full capabilities of CMS (SaaS) while building from a blank setup.
• Performance optimization – You can optimize how content is modeled.
• Flexibility – You have complete freedom in structure and design and are not confined to a preconfigured site.

See Get started from scratch.

Import data from CMS

You can import content from a traditional CMS site to CMS (SaaS) using the standard import and export functionality. But, there are several key limitations and considerations to consider when importing into CMS (SaaS). See Export and import packages.

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Important

Any data that relies on customizations may not transfer as expected.

You can export content from CMS (SaaS) to be imported into an Optimizely CMS site. However, CMS (SaaS)'s import and export feature only includes published content, not draft versions or any version history.