[davestar057]

Hi guys,

Just wanting to know what you people do when tasked with building a fairly simple web site, but which needs CMS?

Do u just create a really simple CMS with a back end to just imput text etc... into a certain area etc...and they can set up news stories etc..

Or do u just use some freely available CMS ??

From first thoughts I would think your creativity could be hampered by an already made CMS?? Where as if you create your own u can do whatever you like with the design etc...then make the CMS work around your design?

Let me know what you guys do/ prefer...

Cheers

[landing]

If I'm doing a small commercial job (I only ever take on small projects) I'll always use/create my own mini CMS - that way I'm selling my own work and not someone else's.

My CMS has a template engine, so the most I need to do is whip up a few HTML templates for whatever functions the client wants (news page, gallery etc). The handy thing is once I've developed a feature such as a news page, I keep it in my code library so I can use it easily on another job.

I enjoy coding and I'm always looking to develop my skillset, so I tend to create my own scripts and classes. However sometimes when I'm in charity-mode and someone needs a hand, I'll just hook them up with an open source CMS and leave them to it.

[wirehopper]

I'd use a CMS, if I had experience with it. (For me: http://ez.no)

If I didn't have experience, I'd use a blog, because they are simpler. (For me: http://b2evolution.net)

Interesting solution: http://concrete5.org - it can be used as a hosted service - so all you have to do is set up the DNS and then grant the client access. If the site grows, it can be extended or hosted locally. I've never used it.

[phpdoctor]

I normally make it from scratch... customers always want stuff that I havent done yet

Anyways iv been designing a CMS that I can attach to any site

[Hsekhar]

I would go for an open source CMS unless the script needs some special features which the existing CMS don't already offer. But If the customers insist, then I would go and code a new CMS with all the features they want.

[wirehopper]

It comes down to the following -

Code:

if (open_source_cms_can_meet_most_requirements)
  and ((time_and_cost_to_learn_cms + time_to_extend_and_customize_cms) <
          (time_and_cost_to_build_custom_solution))
      use_open_source_cms=true
else
      use_open_source_cms=false

[therocket954]

That's exactly what I do wirehopper... except I usually let my brain handle that process rather than running a script. LOL

[Thyrosis]

I used to work with WordPress on my website, with CPanel looking after all the scripts and stuff and WP for my blog. Then I started learning PHP and now I use my own CMS. It takes quite some time to get everything sorted out, but it's worth it in the end. You can be proud of something you use (every day/however often you use it) and which you've made yourself from scratch.

[snaip]

I for most of the time use an open source CMS unless I really need some unique features for the sites am working on. But lately, Wordpress has been my preference for all content management needs. It is a solid and flexible platform that your can harness if you know how to tweak it.

[rockrider13]

i prefer to use my own CMS. Coz i can make own layout, template, and anything!
but sadly i forgot to renewing my web host. now I'm lost all my script...
even though its not so complex as other establish CMS but i kinda proud of my own work!