Content Management Systems

If the client requests the ability to manage the content themselves once the site is up, I recommend using WordPress. It is by far the biggest content management system and there are many features (called plugins) you can 'add' to your basic site, such as galleries, social media interfaces and all-in-one SEO solutions. These are like building blocks, so for each site you can pick and choose exactly what you need.

As good as WordPress is, some of my clients still run into trouble formatting new content. The fact is that if you want your content perfectly formatted, it really helps if you have at least a basic knowledge of HTML/CSS. I am happy to provide some basic lessons in this area.

When deciding on whether to go with WordPress or any content management system, it is important to consider how often and how significantly you are going to be updating your website. If the only changes are small text edits or photo gallery adjustments, WordPress makes sense. But if the client envisages major structural changes, I will recommend purchasing a small number of support hours, as I will be able to perform these tasks much more efficiently myself.

Though I use WordPress a lot, I am just as happy to build the site in flat HTML/CSS if it makes more sense. WordPress is a huge package and will normally run a fraction slower than plain HTML.

For more information, see also: