Add CMS Functionality to Existing Website
The Appeal of WordPress and the Core Concept of a CMS
I have consistently favored WordPress as both a blogging platform and a content management system (CMS) due to its user-friendly interface, which mirrors the simplicity of a standard word processor.
The primary function of a CMS is to empower website designers to create a site and then readily instruct clients – or relevant personnel – on how to independently update the content.
A CMS-based website allows individuals with limited technical expertise to manage content with greater ease. This inherent capability is reflected in the system’s very name: "content management system."
Transforming Static Templates into Editable Content Areas
Imagine the possibility of utilizing freely available website templates found online and configuring them to offer content editing capabilities akin to those of a full-fledged CMS. Remarkably, this is now achievable.
This article will guide you through the process of configuring a website template for CMS-style editing, leveraging a tool known as Pulse CMS.
Please note: This guide assumes a foundational understanding of website setup procedures.
The objective is to establish a site structure that can be seamlessly transferred to individuals lacking web design skills, enabling them to effectively manage the site’s content.
Utilizing Free Templates for Demonstration
For the demonstration within this tutorial, I will be utilizing a readily available, free website template sourced from the internet.
If you are a designer who has already created a website, you are already positioned ahead in the process.
Key Benefits of this Approach
- Empowerment: Enables non-technical users to manage website content.
- Efficiency: Streamlines the content update process.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Leverages free templates and accessible tools.
Pulse CMS provides a straightforward method for adding content editing functionality to static website templates.
This allows for a more collaborative workflow, where designers focus on aesthetics and functionality, while content creators maintain the information presented on the site.
Initial Steps: Obtaining and Implementing the Website Template
A search was conducted for freely available website templates, and a selection was made without specific criteria influencing the decision.
Individuals with prior experience in website setup will likely find this stage straightforward. The downloaded website files were extracted, and the index.html file was renamed to a .php file.
Subsequently, all files were transferred to the web server utilizing FileZilla.
The file extension was altered to PHP to ensure compatibility with the PHP embed code that will be integrated in a later step. This modification is intended to prevent potential issues during implementation.
Defining CMS-Controlled Pages & Initial Creation
As I possess limited coding and web design expertise, I opted to extract the content directly from the existing index file rather than building pages from the ground up. Prior to retrieving text from the index.php file, it's advisable to determine the filenames you'll assign to each page, facilitating the setup of navigation links.
For this demonstration, only the aboutus.php file was created, but a complete website requires all pages to be established in a similar manner.
Currently, both index.php and aboutus.php files are in place. I then identified the content blocks that should be managed through the CMS, or those that could be entirely removed. This process is relatively straightforward for individuals with coding knowledge.
For sections intended for CMS control, the default content was removed, creating space for the necessary embed code. The purpose of this will become clear as we proceed.
Completing Installation: Software Download and Server Upload
This stage of the process is remarkably straightforward, as it doesn't require any traditional installation procedures or database table creation. This streamlined approach is a significant benefit.
Navigate to the official Pulse CMS website and obtain the software package by downloading the zip file.
Extract the contents of the downloaded zip archive. Prior to uploading the files to your web server, it’s crucial to modify the "includes/config.php" file to alter the default administrative password.
After updating the password, upload the extracted folder to the root directory where your website files are located. Access to the CMS should then be available by visiting that directory in your web browser (anysite.com/pulse).
Configuring Blocks and Embedding Codes within Pages
Within the context of website development, a block refers to an area designed for editable content. For this demonstration, we will focus on configuring an About Us page for modification through the Content Management System (CMS). Upon initial access to your pulse directory, a pre-existing block named "About.html" is typically available, making it ideal for this tutorial.
To simplify the process, the existing block content will remain unchanged.
The next step involves obtaining the corresponding embed code.
Because the created files are now in PHP format, the code should be interpreted correctly when pasted into the designated location. This ensures seamless integration and functionality.
Consequently, each configured block will feature content that can be readily altered by accessing the /pulse directory and implementing the necessary modifications.
The Pulse CMS interface shares similarities with Wordpress in its user-friendliness, resembling the experience of using a standard word processor. Web designers can confidently provide login credentials for the pulse directory to individuals with limited technical or design expertise.
A quick demonstration will empower these users to independently manage and update website content.
Are there alternative, potentially simpler methods for establishing a website with streamlined content management capabilities? We welcome your insights and suggestions!