I am building a website for my first client.
I've built my own websites in the past from scratch using PHP, HTML, CSS, etc... without a framework or CMS.
Therefore, before I proceed with this client, I want to make sure I'm going down the right path. Assuming I've already had custom development experience building a CMS (admin login, content management, etc) and can somewhat easily port my code to this new project, I'm wondering if a CMS (let's say we go with Joomla), is the better way to go. My questions are:
- Is there a limit to the customization I can build/do with a CMS? If I want to add a really custom plugin/add javascript, will it be more difficult in a CMS? Or what about templates. How easily can I manage a template? Is it as simple as altering the template's HTML/CSS to fit the customer's needs?
- If I have built most of the things the client is asking for already custom, would using a CMS for this new project just be bloated?
- How is security handled in these CMSs, like Joomla? If the client needs online payments, can I just install a plugin and be rest assured it's secure? I haven't done my own payment systems before custom.
- Would a CMS like Joomla already handle/optimized for things like SEO and Google Analytics?
Basically, given my experience building custom CMSs, what added benefit is there for going with something like Joomla vs just porting my code over?
And, the customer doesn't know anything about CMSs. Would it be better for me to go with custom development or build a site through a CMS? Is this something I should bring up to the customer?
Thanks