Content management systems

[red army]

What is the best content management system out there?

I have used wordpress since the launch of my site 18 months ago, and although I really like the ease of wordpress I have never been 100% happy with the functionality of my website as a whole.

I have tried for ages to bridge the site with all the different forum software's & shopping carts & never found anything I am truly happy with. All 3 components work brilliantly individually but what I really want is 1 website that offers everything under 1 login.

Our website is now becoming really popular, so want to invest in a long term website option.

My requirements are...
1, blogging system
2, chat forum
3, shopping cart
4, Facebook connect (1 of my main traffic sources)
5, WHMCS / membership module - we run a magazine so something that could handle magazine subscriptions as well as website membership.

Anyone have any experience or advice to offer on upgrading from wordpress ??

 

[Alan]

I think that you are really talking about a custom build. You will find similar 'components' in Joomla & Drupal, but you probably will have the same concerns as you do today in Wordpress.

However the custom build costs could be frighteningly large for everything you need compared to the free opensource / low cost components you get with Wordpress etc.

Another approach is to identify the specific concerns you have and get a developer to fix them.

 

[red army]

Thanks roibot,
Out of interest, what ball park figure do you estimate for a custom build?

Instead of having the whole site custom built would it be better to take existing software which matches most my requirements then custom build the rest?

Has anyone used expression engine? http://ellislab.com/expressionengine
would this have all the functionality I require?

 

[bargainmania]

Wordpress/Buddypress/Zencart would sort this out.
Quite a lot of recoding needed but can be done and should
be a lot cheaper than a custom build.

 

[Faevilangel]

I have used EE and it's blooming brilliant but like Joomla and Drupal, it has a large learning curve as it's ultimately a custom built system.

It can also get very expensive as modules are chargeable and can be upto $500 for the forum module.

A lot of large websites use EE including Vidahost, but they don't use the EE forum module, instead running on Xenforo (which is built by the guys who built Vbulletin)

You're never going to find a 100% fit without a custom build, as every websites needs are different and what works for one website, won't work for another.

Custom build, estimate would be £15k + but will depend on so many variables including features, coding language used etc.

 

[That's Brill]

Out of interest, what ball park figure do you estimate for a custom build?

Instead of having the whole site custom built would it be better to take existing software which matches most my requirements then custom build the rest?

For your requirements a custom build would be really quite expensive, it's a lot of work. Hiring someone to link pieces together would be a bit cheaper but it's not going to be without it's issues. With each part being separate and developed elsewhere the updates might be pulling in different directions and you might have to do a lot to keep it maintained.

Consider that it's not a completely terrible crime to have separate unlinked systems though. It's not at-all outside the realm of a users typical experience to have to sign up to a website and then separately to it's forum.

 

[red army]

Cheers Faevilangel,
Why don't vidahost use the EE forum? is it not that good? does the Xenforo forum integrate fully?

I'm aware that I still won't get 100% of my requirements but if I could get 90% + I would be really happy. as my site continues to grow I think wordpress is going to be less suitable, so would like to design for the future now.

I have my own graphic designer so would only really need to pay for the modules and then maybe someone experienced to do little bits of coding I reckon I could pick up a lot myself.

I have a decent sized budget but not enough for a custom build.

As a rough guess what would it cost to set up a site with my requirements with EE? and would this meet most of my requirements?

Also anyone recommend any other CMS's not yet mentioned?

 

[Faevilangel]

The EE forum module is kind of limited, it's not developed very much while Xenforo is and is just a better forum out of the box.

It's the same for all forum packages, using modules for existing systems, normally means a more limited system while an external script gives you a better system.

I haven't used EE in at least 2 years so wouldn't be able to quote as not looked at it for ages, but can put you in touch with someone I know who develops with EE.

Cost wise, including buying the system, £1500-£4k depending again on how many features you want (EE has a lot out of the box).

 

[red army]

For your requirements a custom build would be really quite expensive, it's a lot of work. Hiring someone to link pieces together would be a bit cheaper but it's not going to be without it's issues. With each part being separate and developed elsewhere the updates might be pulling in different directions and you might have to do a lot to keep it maintained.

Consider that it's not a completely terrible crime to have separate unlinked systems though. It's not at-all outside the realm of a users typical experience to have to sign up to a website and then separately to it's forum.

Cheers that's brill, yeah I have seen a lot of decent websites that run a different forum.
As I would eventually like to make my website a membership service, I would prefer to have it all the same if poss? that way I can restrict parts of the site & forum for paid members.

 

[red army]

The EE forum module is kind of limited, it's not developed very much while Xenforo is and is just a better forum out of the box.

It's the same for all forum packages, using modules for existing systems, normally means a more limited system while an external script gives you a better system.

I haven't used EE in at least 2 years so wouldn't be able to quote as not looked at it for ages, but can put you in touch with someone I know who develops with EE.

Cost wise, including buying the system, £1500-£4k depending again on how many features you want (EE has a lot out of the box).

This sounds more in the ballpark I was looking at, yeah would be great if you could put me in touch.

 

[Faevilangel]

The guys website is here, he is an EE approved developer and helped me a few times with stuff.

 

[tumbledown]

You can do all that on Drupal with one login.

Sent from my HTC Desire S using UK Business Forums

 

[Alan]

I
Custom build, estimate would be £15k + but will depend on so many variables including features, coding language used etc.

YEs I was going to say maybe £20k+ depending.

Far cheaper to 'assemble' the right components and get them 'integrated'. Creating the same styling & login access isn't a massive deal.

 

[red army]

YEs I was going to say maybe £20k+ depending.

Far cheaper to 'assemble' the right components and get them 'integrated'. Creating the same styling & login access isn't a massive deal.

Yeah I think this is the route I need to take, just need some advice on which system offers the best modules/components to suit my requirements?

 

[red army]

You can do all that on Drupal with one login.

Sent from my HTC Desire S using UK Business Forums

I have looked into drupal is it as good as expression engine? are there any big name sites i can look at, built using it?

 

[red army]

The guys website is here, he is an EE approved developer and helped me a few times with stuff.

Cheers Fav, have sent him a message.

 

[Alan]

I have looked into drupal is it as good as expression engine? are there any big name sites i can look at, built using it?

Don't know if they are big name but I found this list

http://sixrevisions.com/web_design/31-drupal-content-management-system-cms/

 

[ITsoldUK]

What is the best content management system out there?

I have used wordpress since the launch of my site 18 months ago, and although I really like the ease of wordpress I have never been 100% happy with the functionality of my website as a whole.

I have tried for ages to bridge the site with all the different forum software's & shopping carts & never found anything I am truly happy with. All 3 components work brilliantly individually but what I really want is 1 website that offers everything under 1 login.

Our website is now becoming really popular, so want to invest in a long term website option.

My requirements are...
1, blogging system
2, chat forum
3, shopping cart
4, Facebook connect (1 of my main traffic sources)
5, WHMCS / membership module - we run a magazine so something that could handle magazine subscriptions as well as website membership.

Anyone have any experience or advice to offer on upgrading from wordpress ??

Joomla does all that...see it in action on my site. Got whmcs and forum all tied in.

Agree with Gareth EE is ok but just to confuse you some more...invision power board is tip top too

Redevo on here may be worth talking to...he knows his joomla better than most :thumbup:

 

[123Simples]

Hi Red

I appreciate that you are looking for an ALL IN ONE but it is doubtful you will find something like that - as others have said it will probably need to be a bespoke creation done especially for your needs.
My only point would be - have you actually asked your audience what they think? It may be that you need to get their feedback so you can make sure that the changes reflect their needs too.

In answer to your question there is no best content management system - well not one that can fit all your needs anyway. More than likely you may need to look at stitching and splicing the best of the best into one website. On our site we have a blogging, forum and whmcs, but all three run as independents to one another. You might need to see how much is too much (cost wise) and then look at your options from there.

 

[ITsoldUK]

Hi Red

I appreciate that you are looking for an ALL IN ONE but it is doubtful you will find something like that - as others have said it will probably need to be a bespoke creation done especially for your needs.
My only point would be - have you actually asked your audience what they think? It may be that you need to get their feedback so you can make sure that the changes reflect their needs too.

In answer to your question there is no best content management system - well not one that can fit all your needs anyway. More than likely you may need to look at stitching and splicing the best of the best into one website. On our site we have a blogging, forum and whmcs, but all three run as independents to one another. You might need to see how much is too much (cost wise) and then look at your options from there.

IPB has it all in one and as stated Joomla can do it too natively...

 

[tumbledown]

I have looked into drupal is it as good as expression engine? are there any big name sites i can look at, built using it?

The Economist and The White House. Also examiner.com

Sent from my HTC Desire S using UK Business Forums

 

[tumbledown]

Standard Drupal modules will provide all the functionality you mention except the membership which is slightly more fiddly. A good developer can get that to meet your needs though. I'd have thought the previously mentioned sun of between 1500 to 4000 would cover most quotes for the whole job.

Sent from my HTC Desire S using UK Business Forums

 

[red army]

Joomla does all that...see it in action on my site. Got whmcs and forum all tied in.

Agree with Gareth EE is ok but just to confuse you some more...invision power board is tip top too

Redevo on here may be worth talking to...he knows his joomla better than most :thumbup:

That's a really nice site, seems to have everything there on my list as well.
Does everything work off 1 login?
Can it be themed/styled to match my current website? http://redarmy.co.uk/

 

[ITsoldUK]

That's a really nice site, seems to have everything there on my list as well.
Does everything work off 1 login?
Can it be themed/styled to match my current website? http://redarmy.co.uk/

Thanks for the compliment.

Yes mate.

I developed a 3 way bridge to allow my VIPs to use all 3 elements (the orange pages is for VIPs) and manage their subscriptions etc.

Yes your style can be replicated.

 

[alphanumeric]

joomla + k2 should fit your needs well

 

[ITsoldUK]

Every CMS has its own advantages and disadvantages.
According to your requirements Wordpress is best CMS to use.

Care to elaborate as to why?

You got me curious now....

 

[hmig89]

I personally find business catalyst does the trick for me. It's easy to set up membership sites too. Sign up for a 30 day trial and let be know if you need some help? Free of charge goes without saying, because I am nice like that!

 

[red army]

Care to elaborate as to why?

You got me curious now....

Haha, doesn't look like he has anything else to offer

 

[red army]

Cheers for everyone's input so far, it's really appreciated.

I have downloaded the Expression Engine demo and just having a play around with it. seems easy enough to use just need to work out if it has all the functionality I need!

Also looking to have a play around with Drupal & ModX over the next few weeks.

 

[red army]

I personally find business catalyst does the trick for me. It's easy to set up membership sites too. Sign up for a 30 day trial and let be know if you need some help? Free of charge goes without saying, because I am nice like that!

Thanks for the offer, appreciated.

Have never heard of this one before, anyone else have any reviews of business catalyst?