CMS - Recommendations Please

[Emma Crabtree]

A friend has asked me to help her out with her property web site. She wants to be able to offer a decent search facility, pricing, no. of bedrooms, location etc., rather than just separate pages relating to pricing.

We can either:

a) add something in to the web site she already has
b) creat a new web site which has a CMS integrated into it.

I'm happy to do either.

However, I've no experience of CMS (and I don't need an e-commerce package), so any advice gratefully received.

Any feedback on Joomla?

Thanks.
Emma.

 

[andrew1810]

I could build something bespoke fairly easily if wanted.

Otherwise have a look for a property website script rather than a full CMS, will probably give more options

 

[wood1e2]

I think a if it is just search facities you need I could certainly integrate a bespoke solution into the website. Depending on the current website layout, it may need to some tweaking.

A CMS package maybe more than you need. ALthough I think there are some in the market place for estate agents. Drop me a PM and let me know you full requirements

 

[creative access]

Hi Emma,

Joomla is a great application that will probably do most of what you need without customisation, but there can be quite a learning curve.

Andrew is right there are alot of property web site scripts out there for free/little money which may do the trick. Ebay is usually full of them but read the small print and watch out for people trying to tie you into hosting packages.

If you want to have a no-obligation chat about anything feel free PM me.

Good Luck

Derek

 

[RayB]

I know Joomla is very popular but our site is based on Farcry which is also open source/free.

Have a look at our site - you will find it is very "SEO friendly" - whereas I have concerns about Joomla from this point of view.

In fact - I challenge anybody to find a more SEO friendly CMS/e-commerce platform than our site............

As for a custom design - Ok if it uses a CMS package - but not if you need to update stuff yourself

 

[AlphOmega]

if you use joomla this may be of some interest
http://extensions.joomla.org/component/option,com_mtree/task,viewlink/link_id,232/Itemid,35/

 

[sandpetra]

Joomla is an excellent cms. We've used it in all kinds of websites, from NHS, colleges and small businesses.

It'll take a couple of weeks intensive learning mind you. If you run into any trouble yuo can PM me.

You can also get property extensions specifically for Joomla. Make sure you're hosted on a server with Mod Rewrite available so you can output search engine friendly urls.

 

[jmds]

I work a lot with Joomla!/Mambo. I will be looking at the FarCry system to see if it is worth adding to my list of products to support.

 

[RayB]

Hi John and Sandpetra,

Have a look at our Farcry site from a purely SEO point of view - then post back about faults you can find with it and how Joomla is better?

 

[stugster]

Hey hey.

All you're looking for is the ability to add edit and modify entries in a database.

On the customer side of things, simple SQL search statements based on price, etc.

Of course, this would be made to look nice for the customer

£100 for the basic system should see you right - you would have to make it look sexy though.

 

[RedEvo]

We've built many Joomla sites and love it. We are well known for creating free Joomla templates - almost 28,000 inbound links from these

Joomla! with Hot Property plugin will nail this.

If you need a Joomla 'How To' guide there's a free one in our downloads section.

d

 

[Emma Crabtree]

Thanks everyone. I shall PM those of you that have offered help.

Cheers,
Emma.

 

[abrown]

I would also recommend Modx CMS. The usability is much better than joomla. We have built many sites with this and recommend it to all our customers.

If you need any help with your site then let me know.

 

[RedEvo]

Just logged into a Modx demo. Looks good but I think it's a bit of a sweeping statement to state the usability to be much better than Joomla.

It's yet to reach version 1 and looks to be a bit short of business type add-ons. IMHO

Joomla has it's issues but it's a very mature product with a huge user base and many very powerful ad-ons created by dedicated companies - of which we are not one I hasten to add.

d

 

[kyber]

I have some Joomla sites but not seen Modx before - need a play me thinks. Looks interesting.

 

[RayB]

Just checked back - still no response to my challenge....cant say I'm surprised!

 

[RedEvo]

Our site went live in March 2006. Joomla based. No SEO effort other than writing good content and using standard Joomla SEF URL's. We have a Google PR of 7 on our homepage.

About a month ago we added SEF Advance. Time will tell on that one.


I'd advise any Joomla users to use SEF Advance. Gives lots of control over creating good human readable URL's.

d

 

[AlphOmega]

I'd advise any Joomla users to use SEF Advance. Gives lots of control over creating good human readable URL's.

Or ARITO SEF which does exactly the same, is open source and free which Sef Advance is not

 

[RedEvo]

Perhaps - Perhaps not.

d

 

[AlphOmega]

perhaps not

 

[securitypub.com]

I would go with Joomla, it's a bit heavy but a fantastic package.