Best Content/Contact Management software?

[Eljaybe]

I'm sort of a newbie when it comes to Content Management software and Contact Management software.
I have used Contact Management software, but I would like your opinion on what you think are the best choice for both Content and Contact management?

Is there a Contact management software that captures data submitted through a Web site? For instance, could you compile a list of names/email addresses from people who signed up for a newsletter through your website? Then, automate an email to be sent to that list?

[rogerd]

Mambo is a CMS that has contact management features, though I haven't used that part of the software very much. It's certainly not a powerful contact manager like ACT or similar. But, either out of the box or with plugins, you can also manage a mailing list with Mambo.

Mambo is one of the most popular CMS packages, and it's open source so the price is right, but there has just been some kind of split in the developer community. It looks like the people working on the software have defected en masse to a new group. Everyone is optimistic that development will forge ahead and perhaps even accelerate, but be aware that there could be a name change or other turmoil.

[bill]

I'd be a bit wary of recommending Mambo this week ;)

Look around at some of the CRM packages out there. A CMS might have a CRM module, but it sounds like you want something that will help automate your customer service to a degree, I'd suggest looking at some of the stand alone products out there. Many of them can be integrated to work with your current site.

[Eljaybe]

Thanks for the advice.
Any software I should pay more attention to on the store shelves? Offering a custom CMS seems more costly for the client if they don't have a budget to support a fully customized CMS.