Hey everyone! I’m struggling with WordPress and could use some help. I’m a coder and find it really frustrating to use. It takes so many clicks to do simple things like centering a layout. I’ve tried it a few times but keep giving up.
I’ve looked at other options like Wix and Webflow, but they have similar issues. Are there any other platforms you’d recommend? I’d love to build sites from scratch, but my clients need to manage the content themselves.
Do you know of any good content management systems that are more coder-friendly? I’m open to suggestions and would really appreciate your advice. Thanks in advance for any tips!
Have you considered using Gatsby? It’s a React-based framework that’s become quite popular among developers. Gatsby offers a lot of flexibility and control while still providing a solid structure for building websites. You can create custom components and layouts easily, and it integrates well with various headless CMS options for content management. This means your clients can still update their content without you losing the ability to code things exactly how you want. Plus, Gatsby sites are blazing fast and SEO-friendly out of the box. It does have a bit of a learning curve if you’re not familiar with React, but once you get the hang of it, it’s incredibly powerful and efficient for web development.
have u tried ghost? its pretty sweet for devs. you can code custom themes and its got a nice api. plus its way less bloated than wp. might be worth checkin out if u want more control but still need a cms for clients to use.
I’ve been in your shoes, and I totally get the frustration with WordPress. Have you looked into Craft CMS? It’s been a game-changer for me. As a developer, you’ll love the clean, intuitive codebase and the flexibility to build exactly what you want. Twig templating makes it easy to create custom layouts, and the control panel is super user-friendly for clients.
What I really appreciate about Craft is how it separates content from presentation. You define your content structure, and then you have complete freedom to build the front-end however you like. No more fighting with themes or page builders.
The learning curve isn’t too steep if you’re already comfortable with coding. And once you get the hang of it, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you can build complex sites. Plus, the community is great for support if you ever get stuck.
It’s not free like WordPress, but in my experience, the time saved and the quality of the end product make it well worth the investment. Might be worth giving it a shot for your next project!
Absolutely understand your frustration—many developers share that sentiment when working with WordPress or similar page builders. While platforms like Wix, Webflow, and WordPress are designed to make things easier for non-technical users, they often become cumbersome for coders who prefer cleaner, more flexible control over layout and design.
If you’re looking for a more developer-friendly approach while still offering your clients a way to manage content, you might want to explore headless CMS options like Sanity, Strapi, or Contentful. These platforms separate the backend content management from the frontend, allowing you to build completely custom sites using your preferred tech stack (like React, Vue, or even static site generators like Next.js or Astro). Your clients still get an easy-to-use interface to manage content, and you get the freedom to code without restrictions.
Another path worth exploring is partnering with web development companies that specialize in creating custom CMS solutions tailored for both developers and end users. These companies often build lightweight admin panels or integrate open-source CMS platforms that are far less bloated than traditional site builders. You could also collaborate with them for specific projects where client usability is critical but you want to retain full control over the codebase.
Ultimately, the right tool depends on your workflow and your clients’ needs—but if coding is your strength, going the custom route with a CMS backend or working alongside skilled web development companies could strike the perfect balance between flexibility and user-friendliness.
Have you considered using a static site CMS like Netlify CMS or TinaCMS for smaller projects?