Can anyone recommend simplest CMS for 10 page website?

[anshul]

Need to find what's most feasible CMS for a tiny website of 10 pages.

It shouldn't ask for DB, and I am not interested to write contact us form and mail script. Menu items top, drop-downs, left/right navigation, footer, header and page content should be fully customize-able.

I don't need error-some WYSIWYG editor that would generate unnecessary HTML markup rather preferring to write plain HTML myself into CMS's simple editor; line-numbers, color high-lighting is enough for me or let it launch external editing and I'll write and save HTML.

It should create my website for desktop/laptop and mobile devices (Android/Windows/iPhone/iPad) as well.

Lastly, it should be extremely light-weight and occupy minimum space in my hard-disk, of course, I'll be deleting unnecessary images, icons, css etc.

Anything; Perl, PHP, Python is fine for me.

So mentioned most of what is expected, can I avoid downloading WP (and unzipping it to install) for creating a 10 page website?

[not2easy]

I can see that you are really asking about a program or app to use for this, but since you can add your own html, have you considered a good developer's text editor and a template? I'm using BBEdit or TextWrangler (BBEdit's Free sibling)for Mac and Notepad++ for Windows.

It is a low cost or no cost solution that might be the way to get just what you want and nothing more. There are free editable 1-, 2- or 3-Column Liquid Layouts put out by Matthew James Taylor that I've adapted for my own use, all free to use and alter as you please. I originally looked at them a few years ago, they were in xhtml at that time, but edit away to your preferences. The last I saw there was an adaptable and responsive layout so one site works independently of device and you only need one version.

[tangor]

You sound as if you have sufficient knowledge of HTML to hand code a 10 page site, or use templates as not3easy suggests above. Using any kind of CMS for something this small is like swatting flies with a shotgun. I can't think af any CMS I'd use for something this small for the simple reason I wouldn't want to create any unnecessary exposure of security breaches that might occur.

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

So how do you produce a content managed ten page site?

[lucy24]

Anything; Perl, PHP, Python is fine for me.

The essence of a CMS is that you don't have to know anything; the php-or-equivalent all happens automagically in the background. The bare fact that you're naming languages suggests that you already know one or more of them. So why not use it?

I am not interested to write contact us form and mail script

Why not? I speak three words of php and I've got a contact form ;) I can't imagine a CMS not having some kind of Contact functionality. So that should be the least of your worries.

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

I can appreciate where anshul is coming from. There still does not appear to a simple, easy to install small scale CMS available for small sites like this. I mean one that requires no real coding knowledge. After all these years that surprises me. I think the first person to produce something like this could make a lot of money.

[icedowl]

I'm not personally aware of any CMS that doesn't use a database, but if you really, really, really want to use a CMS then take a look at ModX. It can handle very small sites as well as large ones. Otherwise you might consider a WYSIWYG program such as NetObjects Fusion. Both are easy to use although there is a lightweight learning curve with each of them. I've used both and have been very happy with them.

Even WordPress is easy, but I've only used it for blogging. Haven't tried to build pages with it like some folks.

If I were building a 10 page site without plans for it to grow, I'd just start coding by hand in a text editor such as Notepad++.

[bhukkel]

I used [cmsimple.org ] in the past. I don't know the current state of the project...but i do know you don't need any database.

[creeking]

do an internet search for


blog software "no database"

and

CMS software "no database"


There are several choices, and some webpages with lists of "no database" software

[ergophobe]

anshul - what feature of a CMS do you need that would not be provided with plain old static HTML files?

Could you achieve this with a few includes of some sort (PHP, SSI, etc)?

If you're simply looking for templating, I would skip the CMS entirely.

Near the bottom of this thread, I did a round-up of some no-database, static-based CMS options (mostly in Ruby). This might interest you:

[webmasterworld.com...]

[anshul]

anshul - what feature ~..

I wanted CMS for simple website for 10 pages.
Editor, can be v/im, gedit or notepad++, just CMS can launch it externally (like FileZilla does).
I need to quickly change/select (change for nice look and feel, rearrange menus etc., or may be quick rearrangement of widgets) minimalist theme, and expect it to generate compatible code for mobile devices.

Long time before, written my own code using PHP, SSI, CGI etc. but it was not attractive and secondly, problem is time, would expect to spend 5-10 minutes for quick revision of the website, not prefer to spend a couple of hours for that.

Templating may be good, but it may not be so much functional and clean. WP is good but it is much big for simplest requirement.

Well, I would check cmsimple.org and ModX mentioned above.

[lucy24]

You don't need a cms at all. You just need a pseudo-server (MAMP, WAMP) that you can install on your local computer. Then your site will behave just like the "live" version, including root-relative links, directory names and php. Call it 5-10 minutes for the installation and then you don't need to do anything more.

If you didn't have php-or-equivalent, you could use any text editor with a www preview function, shaving a few seconds off the extra time to open a local file in your browser.

[ergophobe]

I still don't understand from your answer why you want a CMS.

What CMS feature do you need?
- workflow (distinction between writer/editor/admin roles)?
- versioning?
- user authentication?

editor, can be v/im, gedit or notepad++,

- set up a local git repo, make your changes, view and test.
- when you like it, push to the live repo which is also on your server.
- oops, didn't go well? Revert back one revision, push again and all is good.

minimalist theme, and expect it to generate compatible code for mobile devices.

Start with Zurb Foundation or Bootstrap 3. You get this and more out of the box.

Templating may be good, but it may not be so much functional and clean.

Templates are as clean and functional as you make them. Just do something like

<?php
include_once('header.php');
include_once('left.php');
?>
This is my page content;
<?php
include_once('right.php');
include_once('footer.php');

WP is good but it is much big ... ModX mentioned above.

ModX is more complex than Wordpress and so are most CMS I know. If Wordpress is too complex, then you almost certainly do not need a CMS.

[tangor]

I wanted CMS for simple website for 10 pages.

Will it REMAIN 10 pages and only 10 pages? Will those 10 pages be static? (you mentioned above changing layout, fonts, colors) Will the CONTENT remain the same? Will the 10 pages change regularly? Is it an index page and 9 products?

What do you think a CMS can offer that hand coded or template (then hand coded) pages will better offer when hand coded page(s) have to be inserted into the CMS in the first place?

[creeking]

problem is time, would expect to spend 5-10 minutes for quick revision of the website

I wonder if the OP plans on having many websites using the CMS.

[goon70056]

Don't know if it's the simplest, but I have been getting acquainted with Wordpress lately and I am finding it extremely easy to learn and use.

[goon70056]

Forgot to add, if you are using a hosting provider, you don't have to download Wordpress to your own computer. You can download it to and use it through the host server.

[Kendo]

Perhaps you mean CSS and not CMS?

A 10 page web site with page design controlled by a single CSS include so that you can edit and change your design theme from the style sheet, header and footer template?

[sarahmaegan26]

I prefer using WordPress CMS for blogs and it is very user-friendly and infact I invite bloggers to post content by self on my blog!
For a 10 page website you can use anything unless you update it frequently you don't require a CMS i hope so!

[Kendo]

can I avoid downloading WP for creating a 10 page website?

This was part of the original request. A database is not wanted or needed for a 10 page website... WP is the overkill that they are trying to avoid.

In fact most CMS are overkill and I was thinking of the principle "Keep It Simple Stupid" and how I might create such a thing but then Googled to find KISSCMS. At first sight I already see that this is already more complex than what I had in mind and have no time today to play with what looks like another overkill.

[Kendo]

Try Quick.CMS -
[opensolution.org ]

Copy files to site root and set write permissions on 2 folders and away you go. No database required and this one actually does what it claims.

[goon70056]

Just wanted to add to my earlier response on this subject, where I stated that Wordpress seems to be extremely easy to learn and use. It is easy if you want use one of their pre-built, "out-of-the-box" themes, without any customization. However, I'm finding that customizing a theme is a bit more tricky.

[ergophobe]

Yes, customizing a theme can be hard if you want something very custom looking.

In any case, the original poster has said s/he doesn't want to use Wordpress, so that's not going to be a viable solution here.

@Kendo - that's a good find! All the static file solutions I mentioned are fine, workable, secure... but they all seem to require a way higher, rather than lower, tech knowledge than Wordpress. For example, they're awesome... if you're comfortable using git on the command line. They're awesome... if you're a Rails programmer already.

[Kendo]

@ergophobe - a good find yes but not as "simple" as what I had in mind. Looks like it has become more sophisticated as it has developed such as the inclusion of plugins etc.

I test installed on our server and found that all I needed to do was copy the files to the root and set write permissions on 2 folders.

I was impressed by the static files for new pages as this is what I would have recommended/used. However I don't see this as requiring any more "higher tech knowledge" than is needed once you find which link to click to add/edit a page.

Backup is simple and the site including data is most portable... simply copy/move the files found in the site root (can't do that with other CMS).

It has some sophisticated options and yes for a newbie it could be much simpler... but then that user may soon want more anyway, for example a shopping cart, a blog, etc.

QuickCMS can be ideal for designers who want to create a 10 page site and it has a lot going for it when compared to WP. By "10 page site" I mean a basic "internet presence" that every company or product should have that provides:

1. Home page
2. About us or company/mission statement
3. How to contact us
4. How to find us (location map)
5-10. Products/services

[lucy24]

But good grief, ten pages? Why can't that be done in static html?

[Kendo]

CSS enables one to standardised formatting while CMS enables one to insert common header, menu, columns and footer that apply to all pages... with the option of adding new pages easily.

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

I was kind of assuming that this was for clients of Anshul's?

[Kendo]

I think the first person to produce something like this could make a lot of money.

I think that they may have all started simple. Then after feature requests they get more sophisticated.

Besides, how can anyone sell such a simple PHP solution when so many sophisticated ones are available for free? No, there is no money to be made. This is something that one or two coders may develop and provide as open-source in return for advertising their expertise via the demo website... as these guys have done.

[anshul]

for clients of Anshul's?

Not exactly :)

Actually, anything we download and use, we find some limitation and try to customize it. It is just simple like we purchase a Ubuntu, Windows or Mac machine, but need to add our own favorite installations/tools with custom settings.

WP&mdash; using it from 2004, unzipped now it is ~20 MB, anyone to use it effectively might need lot to customize.

I think, any programmer nowadays should have great knack in (and quick, and accurate) customization skills, when coming across anything familiar, to use any of the tools (include all UI JS frameworks there). And I think, am lacking wayback behind in these now!

[edited by: anshul at 11:02 am (utc) on Jun 4, 2014]

[anshul]

Besides, how can anyone sell such a simple PHP solution when so many sophisticated ones are available for free?

Quite agreeable, how can anyone sell open source code!

Customization we need for our own easiness, and anyone would write a simple CMS for self. Most of us, already might have seen modified cms, ecarts, frameworks, tools that we quickly pull it in with confidence for a new project requirement.