Very Simple CMS site needed

[a53mp]

Personally I would not recommend going with a suggestion or working with someone who solely deals in one application/script... because chances are they really don't know anything about programming, only how to modify a script that someone else wrote.

Most REAL programmers who actually do their own programming would never recommend something like Joomla or Wordpress because they would have their own tools and knowledge to build it themselves. The only time they might suggest something like that is because they really don't care about the client, their work, or their portfolio and only want to bang out a "quick and easy" website or store. A real programmer is going to always be up for learning and staying on top of their skill by challenging themselves to bigger and better projects. Wordpress is not that project.

If you really want a pre-made script for a store, then use a script built for a store. Wordpress was built as a blog script, but most people use it for other purposes because that is all they know how to do.

[PhilipDunn]

the varied responses here are amazing..

we had a similar thread a while back and most consensed, as far as seo, Joomla was a very bad option..

but i suppose they have a lot of plug ins now to fix some of the issues..

[fiddler]

I've used Joomla, Drupal, and ZenCart, but these are very complex programs with steep learning curves. For a simple cms, I prefer to set up my clients with CMS Made Simple. It is easy to set up and easy to use. Even my clients that barely grasp email can use CMS Made Simple - once I sent them a customized instruction sheet that includes screenshots. And it has the ability to create different levels and permissions for different users. Plus, it has many plug-ins, including a catelog, a shopping cart, tons of features, really, that can provide something for everyone. Check out cmsmadesimple.org.

[microtekblue]

Most REAL programmers who actually do their own programming would never recommend something like Joomla or Wordpress because they would have their own tools and knowledge to build it themselves. The only time they might suggest something like that is because they really don't care about the client, their work, or their portfolio and only want to bang out a "quick and easy" website or store. A real programmer is going to always be up for learning and staying on top of their skill by challenging themselves to bigger and better projects. Wordpress is not that project.

I think you should become a real programmer before you talk about one.

I am a real programmer.

Do you think it took one programmer to code up something like Joomla? Or Wordpress, Drupal. PhpBB, etc...??

You are VERY wrong my friend. This is YEARS of programming knowledge contributed by millions world wide that brings you Joomla.

Good luck coding your own CMS. And WHY would you do? I need a reason to code something better than Joomla. But since I can alter the code myself as a php programmer, I would have no such use as to create my own CMS for this purpose.

Good programmers write good code, Great programmers copy good code!

[AuctionHugh]

This is all very helpful input. You last few folks please don't hijack the thread.

[a53mp]

I think you should become a real programmer before you talk about one.

I am a real programmer.

Do you think it took one programmer to code up something like Joomla? Or Wordpress, Drupal. PhpBB, etc...??

You are VERY wrong my friend. This is YEARS of programming knowledge contributed by millions world wide that brings you Joomla.

Good luck coding your own CMS. And WHY would you do? I need a reason to code something better than Joomla. But since I can alter the code myself as a php programmer, I would have no such use as to create my own CMS for this purpose.

Good programmers write good code, Great programmers copy good code!

Of course it took the combined efforts of talented PROGRAMMERS to DEVELOP joomla, wordpress, drupal, etc.. I actually had this same discussion with a "wordpress programmer" last week. Most "programmers" who specialize or only work in wordpress (or whatever script you want) only does so because that is all they know. That is fine, good for them.. but they are only limiting themselves and their clients. Most "developers" that only know how to work in 1 script can not build their own cms, they can not do any custom coding, they only know how to modify that one script. If you are a real programmer, then congrats.. obviously I wasn't talking to/about you... but since you got so butt hurt about it, I think maybe I just was.


You are correct though, good programmers write good code, great programmers copy good code. But great programmers develop great code.

I am a real (web) programmer. I develop my own CMS's when needed. I use wordpress (very sparingly) when needed. I have used, modified, and integrated just about every popular script available out there.

I will get back to my original point to this thread, based on the OPs friends needs, while keeping his current site layout and design, he would most likely benefit from a custom CMS to manage his products and site content in a very easy manner which is not only very easy to use but also understand. Using joomla, wordpress, zen cart, etc will most likely be overkill for this site in terms of functionality, integration, and ease of use.

[Web Res]

This has absolutely zero relevance to what the OP needs.

Sorry, my statement may have been confusing. I was just trying to recommend BurgundySky as a simple CMS. Then, I added 2 example websites. I thought that was the question.

With BurgundySky, there's nothing to install like Joomla or Wordpress. No need to do version updates as that is all automated. Nothing to back up. No start up costs - the CMS is inclusive in the hosting price. Anyone can use it as it is designed to be simple. People can try it without buying it to see if it suits your needs.

I've used Joomla and wordpress; both of which are much more complex.

I don't own BurgundySky and I am not trying to sell a service. So relax. If you don't like my suggestion of a CMS then fine, but don't tell me the post has "zero relevance".

[a53mp]

I said it did not have relevance because he is looking for a cms to manage store items.

[Clarrie]

* Joomla is *too* feature-rich on it's most basic install - I think it has overwhelmed my non-tech savvy clients;

I agree and disagree - we use Joomla a lot, and yes it is feature rich but for non-tech savvy clients, I only set them up with Manager permissions initially - that restricts them to a pretty simple feature set that they mostly don't have difficulty getting to grips with. Later on when they start to ask "can I do this" type questions I lift them to administrator and they usually make the transition OK.

* wordpress has found a happy-medium between the two.

I like Wordpress, but mostly it suffers from always looking like a blog, and I've found that clients have real problems with getting to grips with all the relentless jargon used in the administration - might be simple to set up, but needs a nerdie geekie bloggie to English translation tool.

I wouldn't recommend going down the route of any ecommerce cart / catalogue system like zen cart etc - these are mostly far more complicated than basic CMS systems - for creating / editing a relatively small number of information pages with text and images (which I think what is required here) a basic CMS is ideal in my view.

[mcgettrs]

Hi Hugh,

I have worked with a few clients who have been very non-tech savvy. I found the Concrete 5 CMS system very useful. It used to be a private system but recently they made it open source so it is free for everyone and it has the most intuitive editing system I have ever come across. You just browse to the page you want to edit and click edit and then i opens up a wysiwyg editor and your client can edit/add text, images and everything.
One of my favourite features is that you can use your existing html templates. Just paste in a few bits of code into them to make them editable. You should get your friend to try the demo online and see what he thinks.

In my experience Joomla, Drupal and wordpress have almost too many features for a non-tech-savvy client. They are much more powerful than Concrete 5.

BTW: Although I might sound like a Concrete 5 infomercial at the moment I am in no way associated with them. Just was pleasantly surprised by their CMS.