/    Sign up×
Community /Pin to ProfileBookmark

Clients who want to update their own site.

Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
Oct 05.2005

I realize the world is divided into two types of people, web designers and web developers. I’m definitely more of a designer, very graphically oriented. I rely heavliy on scripts for e-commerce sites and some other needs. I know how to modify them a little, but it’s not my cup of tea and takes me a great deal of time to accomplish.

Lately I get ask to develop a website for folks that are pretty basic in nature, 3-5 page site (informational) only they want to make their own updates to the site, and they know nothing about hmtl, css, etc. I don’t feel that these sites really call for a CMS system like Mambo, etc. Plus the customer wants it to look custom, not out of the box and techy.

I also see that some of the major hosting companies (godaddy, yahoo) allow customers to purchase a template and do their own updating.

Is there some way for us small design firms to offer the customer control of their content updates without knowing complex scripting techniques etc?

Just wanting to bounce ideas here. Is this the right forum?

to post a comment
HTML

2 Comments(s) ↴

Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
@VladdyOct 05.2005 — Any system that allows a user to manage the content of their site without web developers help, can be considered CMS - the difference is architecture, ease of use and features.

When a customer asks for a CMS the questions I ask are:

1. What type of content will be in updates (is it simple text or there are pictures; how much formating is involved)

2. How many pages will need to be updated

3. How often these updates will happen

4. How critical the timing of updates

Based on this information I calculate two prices: cost of CMS and cost of annual maitenance contract. After being presented with these numbers 4 out of 5 customers find that sending me an email with new content and seeing it appear on their site within next 2 business days is the better solution.

As far as simple CMS goes, any solution would require some type of server side scripting. The most simple solution would be have a number of text files, each representing certain portion of the content. Then on server side:
<i>
</i>Function GetContent(filename)
Read File
Return File Content
End Function

&lt;h2&gt;Latest News&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;?Echo GetContent("contentfiles/latestnews.txt")?&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
Copy linkTweet thisAlerts:
@michelle_2872authorOct 07.2005 — Thanks for the info. I'm not sure if I want to get into SSI or not. It scares me ?

But good to know I'm on the right path in thinking that customers who want to make their own updates essentially need a CMS solution.

I know Macromedia has Contribute. I haven't tried it, don't really know the in's and outs. But it's something I would have to talk the client into purchasing. And I probably wouldn't have much luck with that.

They want magic! I think I'm better off taking the clients who want me to update thier sites, or are willing to pay for a CMS install/customization. And who are somewhat technically proficient.

Any other suggestions?
×

Success!

Help @michelle_2872 spread the word by sharing this article on Twitter...

Tweet This
Sign in
Forgot password?
Sign in with TwitchSign in with GithubCreate Account
about: ({
version: 0.1.9 — BETA 6.17,
whats_new: community page,
up_next: more Davinci•003 tasks,
coming_soon: events calendar,
social: @webDeveloperHQ
});

legal: ({
terms: of use,
privacy: policy
});
changelog: (
version: 0.1.9,
notes: added community page

version: 0.1.8,
notes: added Davinci•003

version: 0.1.7,
notes: upvote answers to bounties

version: 0.1.6,
notes: article editor refresh
)...
recent_tips: (
tipper: @nearjob,
tipped: article
amount: 1000 SATS,

tipper: @meenaratha,
tipped: article
amount: 1000 SATS,

tipper: @meenaratha,
tipped: article
amount: 1000 SATS,
)...