[Solved] Allow non-technical user to change content of website [closed]

Question

…without having to bother with the code behind.

The code is only one aspect.

…like to be able to edit the text content of the site…

Does your client know how to write for the web? Does she know how to use data from analytics, surveys, and user testing to optimize that content?

…change the links…

From what to what? When I’ve had clients request this in the past, they wanted the freedom to upend the navigation of the site. If they don’t really understand all the considerations that went into that navigation in the first place, they shouldn’t be messing with it (in general).

…change the photos…

I don’t know too many clients who also know how to properly crop, size, and compress their photos for web use. Some of this can be automated, but in designs where that cropping is dynamic, such as due to responsive design, more forethought is required.

Your client probably also doesn’t know how, or have the tools, to test this site across multiple browsers. It’s unlikely they know version control.

Things I thought of so far:

Integrate with WordPress, but it seems this is not possible without rewriting the entire site from scratch

Create an AdminPanel of my own, but this would take too much time.

The admin panel option essentially leads you down the path of making your own CMS. You’re right to assume that this would take too much time. If there really were some minor changes that the client wanted to make, it would be fine to do some very simple dynamic data. This data can even come from something as simple as a Google Doc, which the client edits! But usually you’ll find that this will repeatedly get added to over time, and you’ll have the worst of both words…. an unmanageable hacked together CMS, with none of the time saving, and none of the flexibility.

WordPress or some other CMS is probably an acceptable option if your client is demanding this sort of control. The amount work you’ve put into the site so far is totally irrelevant to what needs to be done next. Also, the bulk of your work can be re-used, allowing you to rapidly build out the site with a CMS.

Really though, you should ensure your client has actually considered everything that goes into the site. Make sure they’re crystal clear that once you turn over the keys, that they might as well have not hired someone to build this out in the first place. Some clients are good about this and can make informed decisions on their own. Most can’t. It’s up to you and your client to work it out.

Accepted Answer

…without having to bother with the code behind.

The code is only one aspect.

…like to be able to edit the text content of the site…

Does your client know how to write for the web? Does she know how to use data from analytics, surveys, and user testing to optimize that content?

…change the links…

From what to what? When I’ve had clients request this in the past, they wanted the freedom to upend the navigation of the site. If they don’t really understand all the considerations that went into that navigation in the first place, they shouldn’t be messing with it (in general).

…change the photos…

I don’t know too many clients who also know how to properly crop, size, and compress their photos for web use. Some of this can be automated, but in designs where that cropping is dynamic, such as due to responsive design, more forethought is required.

Your client probably also doesn’t know how, or have the tools, to test this site across multiple browsers. It’s unlikely they know version control.

Things I thought of so far:

Integrate with WordPress, but it seems this is not possible without rewriting the entire site from scratch

Create an AdminPanel of my own, but this would take too much time.

The admin panel option essentially leads you down the path of making your own CMS. You’re right to assume that this would take too much time. If there really were some minor changes that the client wanted to make, it would be fine to do some very simple dynamic data. This data can even come from something as simple as a Google Doc, which the client edits! But usually you’ll find that this will repeatedly get added to over time, and you’ll have the worst of both words…. an unmanageable hacked together CMS, with none of the time saving, and none of the flexibility.

WordPress or some other CMS is probably an acceptable option if your client is demanding this sort of control. The amount work you’ve put into the site so far is totally irrelevant to what needs to be done next. Also, the bulk of your work can be re-used, allowing you to rapidly build out the site with a CMS.

Really though, you should ensure your client has actually considered everything that goes into the site. Make sure they’re crystal clear that once you turn over the keys, that they might as well have not hired someone to build this out in the first place. Some clients are good about this and can make informed decisions on their own. Most can’t. It’s up to you and your client to work it out.