Ask the Expert: CMS Systems using Joomla, Drupal, and Wordpress
QUESTION:
Is there a CMS you use for websites you build that works with PHP? Many developers I’ve talked to don’t seem to use any Content Management System (CMS) product but prefer to build each one as a custom job. That has advantages but certainly costs more and takes longer to develop. Perhaps you have something you guys use that you can recommend?
ANSWER:
This is an interesting discussion that I’ve been having with a lot of web developers.
Most customers have custom needs so developers typically use a core codebase and then ‘tweak it’ to fit the needs of the client. For example, we’ve extended our own core code to do things like membership directories, donor directories, PDF uploads, online RSVPs, donate buttons, e-mail list management, photo galleries, etc.
That said, I have had some good experience with and would recommend the following:
JOOMLA: Joomla is good for large-scale sites that have a lot of content and not a lot of need for graphical customization.
DRUPAL: Drupal is good for large-scale sites that have a lot of interactive functionality and customization.
WORDPRESS: Wordpress actually works well if it’s a news-driven type site or a site that’s content-driven.
There are hundreds of other systems available, both systems that are paid using a subscription model or systems that are installed on your own website. My company has developed our own CMS system to manage page content that has features like an event calendar, searchable directories, payments and subscriptions online, sponsor listings, and member details.
There’s typically a base price to install one of these CMS systems. Additional costs come forward when a client needs specific functional elements that are customized or that fall outside existing functionality that the developer already has available.
That said, most extensive website CMS systems shouldn’t cost more than $2k - $5k to implement. Any additional line item costs over that will probably be allocated to specific, customized coding, data entry or data transfer, the design of the site, and client consultation time.
Do you have a question you’d like answered? Send it in using our contact form and we’ll post your question and an answer from our expert advisory board.
A Successful Woman's Handbook: Fifty-one Ways to Build your Community of Clients Online. How Women are Using the Internet to Grow their Business, Reach the Right Customers, and Make a DifferenceE-book edition
E-version (PDF format)
Receive a download link after purchase.
240 pages, 5" x 9"
Price:
Did you enjoy this post? Subscribe to my RSS Feed, or get A Successful Woman delivered by email. Thank you!
my del.icio.us
