Database or CMS for Directory Site

[sid560]

I am building a directory site listing widgets in each city and state. What do I need to manage a directory site so listings can be entered and displayed, can be searched?

So for example there may be 50 widget companies listed for Houston with their info. Ideally would like to use PayPal and let the widget company enter their listing and pay. I approve and listing appears. Maybe set up on recurring annual payments and an expiration date.

Visitors to my site could use a search box to search by city, state, widget company, type widget, color widget, etc.

Any ideas?

[stef25]

almost every cms uses a database, so its not either one or the other. the answer is you need both. you can use a pre made cms (google cms matrix to get a list) or get one developed for you. keep in mind that your list of requirements should be much more detailed than what you have now before you can start selecting a cms. good luck!

[Demaestro]

Ya really it comes down to what type of Database the CMS you are looking at uses... some use a relational database. Some use an object oriented ones..(files and directories as the storage device) Zope uses an object database... almost all PHP CMSs use MySql.

Just look into them and pick one that fits your needs best. If you aren't going to be doing a lot of reporting then you might want to consider an ODB for speed. If you want to do lots of reporting on your DB entries then you might want to use a relational one so that you can take advantage of the SQL language.