RE: Dreamweaver

Hi Nicholas,

Thanks for your question.

Some integration is always required, but it's not so much which web design software (Dreamweaver) has been used to create the site, more important is what dynamic tools are available, namely the hosting operating system and databases available.

Most hosts run Linux or Unix, with MySQL as the database. But some use Windows IIS with MSSQL. Then there's PERL and other CGI languages. So it's important to find out what the host is running before you begin looking for a CMS solution, otherwise you may get something incompatible.

This site reviews a few free CMS add-ons, and may be worth while reading:
http://blog.webdistortion.com/2008/05/17/13-free-cms-options-for-web-design-professionals/

Personally I have used CushyCMS before, which is fairy easy to set up (as the web developer), but you do have to add each page you want them to be able to edit, and then which areas on the page they can edit (if they have many pages, you may want to include the CushyCMS code in the template).

I've noticed that the main thing that people want to do to their site, besides write or change text, is to upload images. So I would suggest installing a CMS that makes it easy for your clients to upload and display images.

In terms of paid CMS options, I haven't had any experience with any, so perhaps do a search for CMS in Google and click on some of the sponsored links (usually indicates you'll need to pay for something).

Regards, Rich