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I finally got the nerve and (some) of the funds to create the type of website that I always wanted. I have started websites in the past, which either failed miserably due to the lack of funds, unique visitors and content or was simply shut down due to time restraints. I noticed the trend that most of the popular websites have either the backing of a huge company or has a really unique feature that sets it apart from other sites. I have also noticed that almost all of these websites have a unique content management system. I know if I had the millions (or even thousands) of dollars their websites have in their budget, I could produce (or have someone) a great website.
My question is (some of my past attempts at creating a great community based site was powered by the likes of Xoops, Mambo or another open source CMS), should I go with a custom built CMS (which will require for me to hire a bunch of web developers to make it for me), an already existing proprietary CMS or just continue to use a open-source CMS?
The features I want in my site simply don’t exist in existing open-source CMS’s or would require an experience web developer to create the features that I want or “hack” existing modules. If I go with the existing proprietary CMS, I am limited by the lack of a developer community for that proprietary CMS and will probably have to shove out more money for a web developer to again make the features I need. Finally, if I go with a completely custom built CMS, I will be able to direct what goes in and I will have the features I dearly want, but the troubles of having a custom built CMS is having a team of web developers that must maintain the code, fix bugs and etc.
An example of a feature I want is the combined essence of Roosterteeth’s profile/mod point system with Gamespot’s User Level system. The reason why I want this feature most of all is simply because humans are naturally competitive and the kind of website I’m building will reward users for their quality opinions, comments, forum posts and other user inputs. I don’t know of any CMS proprietary or open-source that has a module (or easy way to create a feature like this) in the same vein as the feature I want.
I have already spoke with a few web developers and all told me that the kinds of features I want will cost an arm and leg because of the time it will take to create my featured rich custom CMS. What do you, the experience web developers think I should do? Can anyone point a highly customizable yet user friendly CMS out? Since my current budget sucks, I really can’t hire a team of web developers to help me make this site, but if anyone around here wants to help…I am willing to offer profit sharing, site percentage ownership and other incentives.
Twinkiez