I’ve been designing and developing websites for some time and, these days, everyone wants the ability to update their own site and they should. Previously, I was working with Dreamweaver. It was easy enough to create a site template, include editable areas within the site, have client purchase a copy of Contribute, offer some instruction and, voila– a content management system.
There were a few drawbacks with this method. First, the system is quirky enough where someone with a little html knowledge could fuss around with the behind the scenes editing code and then we need to fix things up. Second, the system is fussy. Add an image that’s a little too big and the page is off and then we need to fix things up. Lastly, and most importantly, the client needs to reside at the computer that holds the software to make any site updates. If the client requests broader updates, I update the server, but then the client may need assistance to be sure their files are up to date.
So, over the past year or so I’ve been looking around for a content management system that’s easy and can be updated from anywhere. There are many worthy options and going through each and every one deserves a detailed posting of it’s own. I’m saving that for another time.
I’m sold on WordPress as a CMS solution and here’s why:
I’m not alone. There’s LOTS of buzz out there. Take a look here: http://wordpress.org/showcase/ — some really impressive sites all using WordPress. Dig into the archives and even Network Solutions is built on WordPress (http://about.networksolutions.com/).
…”WordPress has been awarded the Overall Best Open Source CMS Award in the 2009 Open Source CMS Awards. This is a landmark for us, as it is the first time we’ve won this award, and it marks a shift in the public perception of WordPress, from blog software to full-featured CMS. No small contest, the Open Source CMS Awards received over 12,000 nominations and more than 23,000 votes across five categories. ”
http://wordpress.org/development/2009/11/wordpress-wins-cms-award/
The finished product looks great and it’s so easy to maintain. I’m able to walk even the most reluctant client through the site updating process easily.
I’m going to buy myself a WordPress T-shirt.