CMSs et al

[shauntir]

So, I've started a part-time freelancing development business and have a client I contract out to. I do mostly ASP.Net MVC backend systems for him with the odd assistance on some ASP.Net web forms.

Now, I would like to go out and get some of my own clients and do some web sites and web applications. I was building a property SaaS portal in Django and still have a long way to go though it has come along nicely.

However, cash is king and getting a few clients would help build some rep as well. That means, the old run of the mill web sites with basic content management and a few custom modules for some clients.

My background has been in custom software development using frameworks like RoR, Django, Zend and ASP.Net MVC.
I spent the last 2-3 weeks learning core Wordpress development - plugin and theme development. If I had to describe Wordpress it would be: "Biggest community and support with lots of work but with a horrible architecture and a mess to extend".

I'm not a huge fan of PHP. BUT it is the best technology to use for getting web site work. Most number of hosting options with the biggest developer community and a plethora of CMS options.

So, finally, my question is, would you stick with Wordpress and get stuff done. Or, would you choose a different PHP CMS? Also, which alternatives would you use? I used Joomla and Wordpress in 2007/2008 and it seemed "ok".
There's also Drupal, Concrete5, Modx etc.

TL;DR

Which CMS is the cleanest to use, with good support and will make developing a site easier, more productive and generally "happier"?

 

[CheekyC]

So, I've started a part-time freelancing development business and have a client I contract out to. I do mostly ASP.Net MVC backend systems for him with the odd assistance on some ASP.Net web forms.

Now, I would like to go out and get some of my own clients and do some web sites and web applications. I was building a property SaaS portal in Django and still have a long way to go though it has come along nicely.

However, cash is king and getting a few clients would help build some rep as well. That means, the old run of the mill web sites with basic content management and a few custom modules for some clients.

My background has been in custom software development using frameworks like RoR, Django, Zend and ASP.Net MVC.
I spent the last 2-3 weeks learning core Wordpress development - plugin and theme development. If I had to describe Wordpress it would be: "Biggest community and support with lots of work but with a horrible architecture and a mess to extend".

I'm not a huge fan of PHP. BUT it is the best technology to use for getting web site work. Most number of hosting options with the biggest developer community and a plethora of CMS options.

So, finally, my question is, would you stick with Wordpress and get stuff done. Or, would you choose a different PHP CMS? Also, which alternatives would you use? I used Joomla and Wordpress in 2007/2008 and it seemed "ok".
There's also Drupal, Concrete5, Modx etc.

TL;DR

Which CMS is the cleanest to use, with good support and will make developing a site easier, more productive and generally "happier"?

IMHO the "CMS based website building" space is fairly congested and the barrier to entry is pretty low. Hell, even my gfx designer can knock together great looking WP sites. And her site would likely look better than something a typical dev would put together. If the website is more complex than the normal and integrates across several systems then yes, diff story.

If you are a good dev, then there is ample work outside building websites...

 

[shauntir]

IMHO the "CMS based website building" space is fairly congested and the barrier to entry is pretty low. Hell, even my gfx designer can knock together great looking WP sites. And her site would likely look better than something a typical dev would put together. If the website is more complex than the normal and integrates across several systems then yes, diff story.

If you are a good dev, then there is ample work outside building websites...

Fair point. And I definitely think I'm a good dev
The only reason I would want to tap into simple websites is to bring in some hosting clients as well. I've been going back and forth regarding my motives and if I should in fact do websites or if I should just focus on pure dev of applications.

It's almost a catch 22. Don't take on some web site work and miss an opportunity to then get other clients from referrals. Also, the possibility to offer a web application down the line if need be.

I also agree that the space is pretty easy to get into since I can throw together a "decent" theme in WP without too much effort now.

 

[CheekyC]

Fair point. And I definitely think I'm a good dev
The only reason I would want to tap into simple websites is to bring in some hosting clients as well. I've been going back and forth regarding my motives and if I should in fact do websites or if I should just focus on pure dev of applications.

It's almost a catch 22. Don't take on some web site work and miss an opportunity to then get other clients from referrals. Also, the possibility to offer a web application down the line if need be.

I also agree that the space is pretty easy to get into since I can throw together a "decent" theme in WP without too much effort now.

A website is definately a foot in the door at the customer. As long as you do the job properly and you upsell your skills effectively, then it is a means to an end. Nothing wrong with that. The only issue is that there are many ppl offering this and you have to differentiate yourself from those ppl. That is hard... Often the ppl decided on the money for the website is not the same ppl deciding on the other systems. Best to try to meet as many ppl in the customer organisation. Rather go to thier offices than meet in another place. That way your face gets known.

Anyway, drop me a PM. I have 2 VERY LARGE web projects coming in March/April and might need some help. In am in CPT though.

 

[envo]

I would lean towards Wordpress, since you mentioned, it has a well-established community and plugin writers.

This gives your client the ability to quickly add a plugin to their own site without bothering you to do it, and since there are so many to choose from, the chances are it minimizes and custom dev work you need to do for them.

However, don't limit yourself in terms of that. I'd also skill up on Joomla and Drupal and give me clientele an informed opinion on the choice of CMS they'd need for their site (considering any potential future "enhancements" they'd like to see, like an ecommerce portion)

Clients, overall, don't bother with which CMS you use or not, as long as they can do what they need to. I wrote several simple CMS's that took a couple of days and could be extended with different options very easily depending on what the client wanted. This got me their hosting business as well as an hourly rate for doing changes (or a retainer).

So either way, you'd be making money

 

[shauntir]

I would lean towards Wordpress, since you mentioned, it has a well-established community and plugin writers.

This gives your client the ability to quickly add a plugin to their own site without bothering you to do it, and since there are so many to choose from, the chances are it minimizes and custom dev work you need to do for them.

However, don't limit yourself in terms of that. I'd also skill up on Joomla and Drupal and give me clientele an informed opinion on the choice of CMS they'd need for their site (considering any potential future "enhancements" they'd like to see, like an ecommerce portion)

Clients, overall, don't bother with which CMS you use or not, as long as they can do what they need to. I wrote several simple CMS's that took a couple of days and could be extended with different options very easily depending on what the client wanted. This got me their hosting business as well as an hourly rate for doing changes (or a retainer).

So either way, you'd be making money

Well, after some thought, I'd probably try and stick to development only and not try and use Wordpress as a CMS. Though, for a quick "marketing" type site I'd go with this. However, CheekyC does make a good point of the market being over saturated and perhaps I'm barking up the wrong tree.

In any case, I'm just going to do my best and see where I end up in terms of project and clients.