For typical business websites, it's tops...

“For typical business websites, it's tops...”

Written on: 24/03/2013 by jvansanten (1 review written)

After programming websites in Wordpress and Joomla!, my research for a content management system uncovered Concrete5.

The outstanding features of C5 include:

A workflow that follows typical web design which it supports with structure and flexibility. I found that developing a website in Wordpress and Joomla! required adapting my work into a more rigid and unforgiving structure.

State of the Art user interface for updating content. Half of the sites I've developed in C5 are fully maintained by site users/owners -- from the president, to the entire staff. Training is needed, but the Word-like interface for in-context editing provides a very helpful bridge.

An MVC architecture which provides a solid API for extending the application through plug-ins -- purchased or self-developed. A rather straightforward mapping from HTML/CSS files to C5 themes.

Level of skill needed.

If you use an existing/purchased theme, you can do a lot without getting your hands dirty and may find it as straightforward as Wordpress. However, if you're looking for custom features

If you're comfortable with digging into code -- HTML, CSS & PHP -- you'll find C5 an amenable environment. There is a significant amount of learning -- but that involves learning a well-designed architecture, rather than a bunch of exceptions -- which seems the case with other environments.

Documentation is a bit sketchy, and you'll need to fill in the gaps with your own research. Remo Laubacher's "Beginner's Guide" is an excellent integrative book which brings together the various elements, with running commentary, into a wide variety of useful and workable code.

There are add-on's available -- not as broad as Wordpress or Joomla! But, they are tested for compatibility and sold through the store, so the overall quality tends to be higher.