I have proficiency in HTML, CSS, jQuery, PHP and MySQL. Although I am not yet confident in offering registration and authorization as the code may be unsettling, and writing speed is not up to the mark, I wouldn't want to turn down a simple corporate website request and can execute the design on CMS. While I recently installed WordPress and was able to set some parameters, it seems like there could be something more user-friendly for web designers.
Could you recommend any free CMS that are essentially favorable for the development of customized themes? Are there any CMS that were specifically designed for web designers' use, where it's easier to embed HTML and CSS codes? Ideally, I'm interested in a system with a set of interlocking modules that allow me to add "include registration" to my HTML.pcp file and design my CSS completely.
Additionally, I require the following functionality - the ability to post news on the website and enable user comments on these posts.
Atom-M CMS is designed specifically for web designers, emphasizing that the ability to create beautiful designs is all you need to make any website. The platform is streamlined to avoid unnecessary functionality and features a module for articles and commenting on materials.
Atom-M CMS is a great option for those who prioritize visual design in their web development work. Its emphasis on simplicity and ease of use means that anyone with an eye for aesthetics can create a professional-looking website. Although it may not have all the bells and whistles of other content management systems, its module for articles and commenting ensure that it still has all the necessary features for managing content.
When faced with a similar issue, I opted for Wordpress. The abundance of literature on this Content Management System (CMS) enabled me to learn how to create templates in just a few days. One resource that deserves a special mention is this video course: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NamClmyOoms.
Understanding the hierarchy of template files is key, and the rest is straightforward, especially if you have some knowledge of PHP (which I lacked when creating my first Wordpress site, but later acquired). However, if you do choose to work with Wordpress, here's a word of advice: AVOID USING UNNECESSARY PLUGINS! Initially, I was fond of experimenting and installing various plugins, many of which were superfluous. As a result, several of my sites fell prey to hacking, spamming, and the arduous task of remediation.
The key to simplicity is understanding. The development process isn't simply right or wrong, but rather has an entry threshold and depends on the feasibility of using a certain technology.
For those just starting out, building with PHP, including include_once() and require_once(), can be straightforward and accessible. Alternatively, platforms like Wordpress and MODx Revolution offer similar clarity.
However, for more complex projects, experience is necessary. Content management system Drupal falls into this category.
Frameworks, such as CodeIgniter, Laravel, Django, and AngularJS, require confident knowledge of PHP, JS, Python and other languages. Ultimately, the decision to use any particular technology should be based on whether it is viable for the project at hand. If the client doesn't have a preference, then there's no need to complicate things unnecessarily. But for serious projects, a different conversation is needed altogether.
While WordPress is indeed a powerful and versatile platform, there are other CMS alternatives that might better suit your needs, especially if you're looking for something more user-friendly and customizable with HTML and CSS.
Jekyll: Jekyll is a static site generator written in Ruby, which means it's incredibly fast and secure. It's perfect for web designers who want full control over their HTML and CSS. You can create custom themes using your preferred markup language, and it supports includes, just like you mentioned for your HTML.pcp files. Jekyll also integrates seamlessly with GitHub Pages, making it an excellent choice for version control and deployment. However, it lacks built-in registration and authorization features, so you might need to explore plugins or integrate with a third-party service for that.
Hugo: Hugo is another static site generator, but it's written in Go. It's extremely fast and has a large community, with plenty of themes and plugins available. Like Jekyll, Hugo allows you to create custom themes using your preferred markup language and supports includes. It also has built-in support for content management, making it easy to post news and enable user comments using Disqus or similar services. Hugo's admin interface is more user-friendly than Jekyll's, which might appeal to you if you're looking for something a bit more intuitive.
Ghost: Ghost is a modern, open-source publishing platform built with JavaScript. It's designed for professional publishers and bloggers, offering a clean, intuitive interface for managing content. Ghost supports user accounts and memberships out of the box, making it an excellent choice for handling registration and authorization. It also has a robust API for extending functionality and allows you to customize themes using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. However, Ghost is not a static site generator, so it might not offer the same performance benefits as Jekyll or Hugo.
Grav: Grav is a modern, flat-file CMS written in PHP. It's incredibly fast, secure, and easy to use, with a user-friendly admin interface. Grav supports custom themes using Twig templating, which is similar to PHP but more lightweight and easier to learn. It also has a robust plugin system for extending functionality, including user registration and authorization. Grav is an excellent choice if you're comfortable with PHP and want a CMS that's easy to set up and use.
Hexo: Hexo is a popular static site generator written in Node.js. It's fast, secure, and has a large community, with plenty of themes and plugins available. Hexo allows you to create custom themes using your preferred markup language and supports includes. It also has built-in support for content management, making it easy to post news and enable user comments using Disqus or similar services. Hexo's admin interface is more user-friendly than Jekyll's, which might appeal to you if you're looking for something a bit more intuitive.
There are several CMS options available that cater to web designers looking for more control over HTML and CSS, as well as those seeking user-friendly interfaces and robust functionality. Jekyll, Hugo, Ghost, Grav, and Hexo are all worth considering, depending on your specific needs and preferences. Don't be afraid to explore multiple platforms and choose the one that best suits your skillset and workflow.
While WordPress is a popular choice, it can be overwhelming for some developers. Here are a few options that might suit your requirements:
Joomla is a robust CMS that offers a wide range of extensions and modules, making it easy to integrate custom HTML and CSS code. Its modular architecture allows you to add features like registration, news posting, and user comments with ease.
Concrete5 is a user-friendly CMS that's designed specifically for web designers. It offers a WYSIWYG editor and a drag-and-drop interface, making it easy to create custom themes and layouts. Concrete5 also has a robust extension library that allows you to add features like registration and user comments.
Drupal is a powerful CMS that's widely used for complex web applications. While it has a steeper learning curve, it offers a high degree of customization and flexibility. Drupal's module ecosystem is vast, and you can easily integrate custom HTML and CSS code.