Help needed to build an "updateable" website.

[optimalwebsite]

If I'm building an approximately 12 page HTML based website and the client wants to be able to update the website independently from their computer, what's the best way to organise this? I'm using Dreamweaver, and I'm guessing there's another program I can use to combine with this to allow them independent access. They dont need to add pages, but do need to add/delete texts and pictures. It's going to be based in the UK.

Any ideas?


Joel

[DaveSawers]

You need a CMS (Content Management System). There are loads around.

[optimalwebsite]

LOL! I kinda figured as much, but what would you recommend?

[DaveSawers]

I wouldn't recommend any of them. When my clients want to be able to update parts of their site, add news items, blogs, etc. I provide them with a bespoke system to do the specific things that are required.

[Toni Anicic]

if you need something that simple and easy to implement you should try CuteNews.

[clarke187]

you could use wordpress, it does static pages. I usually use joomla but thats a lot of work for a 12 page site. Once its up though its pretty nice and not that hard to implement assuming you used css when you designed the page.

clark


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asheville

[rizzoid]

We make Joomla CMS sites. Their site is Joomla.org

Our site is sitecats.com . We make it pretty. You keep it current.

-rizzoid

[enicola]

if you use dreamweaver, why not have the client use contribute Adobe - Contribute CS3 : WYSIWYG HTML Editor, HTML Editor Software

[dburdon]

Optimalwebsite,

try Nvu. Its wysiwyg just like Dreamweaver. Unlike Dreamweaver its free.

[nottheusual1]

Originally Posted by dburdon

Optimalwebsite,

try Nvu. Its wysiwyg just like Dreamweaver. Unlike Dreamweaver its free.

NVU is OK but it really hacks up HTML and is more like FrontPage than a true CMS. It is waaay too buggy to recommend with a good conscience unless you can put up with it's querkiness.

We use MODX on 12 sites and are really happy with it. It's template based, so with a little XML and some CSS, the design part is easy. For your customer, all they need is a browser to add to / update the Web site. If you want to learn more about all the CMS's available, try here:

Home - OpenSourceCMS

The site really rocks - it has installations of just about every open source blog, cms and E-commerce tool available and comments from a pretty vibrant community. Highly recommended for this type of research.

[G[dot]com]

So, DaveSawers is basically not helping you much with his suggestion... Thanks Dave, but he needs not a bespoke solution, for what I can see.

Contribute is a good option for you if you use Dreamweaver. I don´t use Dreamweaver myself, but Contribute works nicely once you set it up in the client´s machine... and make it work.

Joomla for a 12 pages site is too much, and also you should use a tempalte with strong use of css to avoid client messing with forntypes, colors and such... (this applies too for contribute). And you will get crazy setting up databases and all that... if you use dreamweaver I don´t think you will be too fond of working on this (you will have to work on the raw code most of the time).

Wordpress...? Can be too.

Ok, I didn´t say anything new, just wanted to add a vote to the things I consider you may find useful. Good luck!

[garyglow]

I would suggest using Joomla or Mambo. You can even incorporate Dreamweaver designed sites using a simple Joomla plugin. You can customize just about anything and its simple enough for anyone to use and update content. Using joomla, my wife is able to get my site up to date. The site on my signature was created in Mambo/joomla if you looking for an example.

[DrTandem1]

Yes, a blog such as Wordpress is very easy to use once it's configured. However, since you've decided to make a 12-page HTML site, have you thought of using SSI? The client simply needs to update then upload a simple text file.

[Orion]

I do mostly smaller sites (under 100 pages) tons of the 10 to 20 paged sites. I used to get the clients to use Adobe Contribute (formerly Macromedia). It's biggest downfall is every few months the client changes computers, updates, formats, or something and can't get into the site I have to go about trying to remember the admin password to reset it up most times lol...

Anyway last couple years started using Wordpress.org software as CMS (also lets you add blog to their sites really easy when they are ready). So far nothing more than a couple of questions here and there on how to use it. VERY happy with it and so ar my clients.. I also either charge them a small fee to update it when needed OR get their hosting business, which is nice.

[dimareli]

Try Joomla CMS

I think it is a very good script with easy admin panel and a large support multilingual forum.

you will get a lot of free or paid extensions for it.
some websites useing joomla cms:
Greek Ferries Italy - Greece / Greek Islands Ferries,
Web Design Services, Joomla, Hosting, SEO - Home,
Kyklos Travel - Home
etc

[dbramley]

I've used Article Manager from interactivetools on quite a few sites now and I find it very good.

See: interactivetools.com - Web Content Management Software Systems for more info.

[youds]

Zend do some good PHP Online Training. You should take a look.

PHP Development & Production Software - PHP Tutorials Training & Certification - Learn PHP - Zend.com

[calmdesign]

Hi there,

Like DaveSwawers i too build my own CMS but that's not the most helpful advice.

There's a whole host CMS solutions out there, just try Googling "simple content management system" of "free content management system"

Alternatively dod a search @ Hot Scripts :: The net's largest PHP, CGI, Perl, JavaScript and ASP script collection and resource web portal or you could try this one: WebInsta content management system

I'd say Mambo or Joomla are probably over kill for your requirements.

Another option would be to buy Adobe Contribute for about £150 (i think) : Adobe - Contribute CS3 : WYSIWYG HTML Editor, HTML Editor Software

All the best

[calmdesign]

Ok, i left my browser open over night so when i now posted my response it refreshed with everyone's message, so i haven't suggested anything that different, but at least you can see general consensus about Contribute and Joomla.

I would also say that wordpress can be very quick to get up and running, but may be slight overkill if you really are only in need of something very simple.

[mjancosek]

I myself usually program the sites in PHP with a mysql database. With this I give them an easy admin section that the client can log into and change the text, pictures on every page of the site. By doing this they can do this anywhere at anytime from any computer.
The problem I see alot with WYSIWYG editors that it tends to throw out alot of repeat tags (<style><font><div>).
It will take an extra day to convert a regular HTML site and convert (if by chance you know a litlle php, you do not have to be an expert), but in the long run your client will be happy to know they have full control of their site and with lno extra tags being thrown out that will be better for the spiders.

[incrediblehelp]

I hate to say it but I would say Word Press. Could help them grow the website efficiently.

[dlsweb]

I also have searched far and wide.
The one problem with most programs is images the client adds to pages are typically squeezed to the right size rather than actually being resized.

Here is one option I have found without an image resize feature
SnippetMaster - WYSIWYG editor for content management of HTML snippets - PHP based system

[ronchalice]

Originally Posted by optimalwebsite

approximately 12 page HTML based website and the client wants to be able to update the website independently...

I go along with the CMS advocates. You don't mention what kind of business/organization your client is in, but a 12 page website rarely stays a 12 page website. Once your client gets used to a tool like Joomla or Mambo, the creativity takes over and they suddenly discover hundreds of new content ideas to expand the exposure of the enterprise.

I'm VP Operations for a 400 member writer's organization. We were handicapped by HTML in a rapidly changing environment. With the implementation of Joomla and careful delegation of content creation authority, we can quickly respond to just about any concept or idea. We bridged the Joomla base into an SMF forum and three dedicated WordPress instances. It works fantastically well.

[John Suite]

Personally, I like Updateable Web Site's content management system. But my opinion might be biased. I just found the others to be clunky with miles of extra code to sift through and strip away. Performing SEO becomes rather difficult with time consuming with many others that I have used. I guess really, it would all depend on your purpose. Another one, if your looking to do newsletters, shoppingcarts, and FAQ and Forums is Blog Scheduler.

I like Wordpress too, but if I am going to do anything custom, would rather have something lean on the code. But the one thing that I do not like about the systems is that they are so flooded in the marketspace. Because of this, they are more suspestible to hacks. But thats just my opinion.