best way for a client to make simple changes to their website that I created -- Help...

[mattborkin]

Hey all,

For the past 2 years I have been maintaining a webpage for a
client. I have created and maintained it using Paraben's Web Page
Wizard software. For me, the creation and maintenance was no problem.
However, I no longer have time to do the usual updates and changes for
them. They are going to start updating on their own. The update only
consists of adding, removing a few links and possibly changing some
basic text.

Now, I know that it would be a pain for me to have them buy the
software then transfer all of the images and templates to it and
maintain it the same way I have been -- that would be way to hard for
them. Is there a simple way that they could edit the text/links on the
site without having to use WEB PAGE WIZARD? I am not talking layout or
graphics or anything, just text and possibly a few links...

In other words, how can someone make simple changes to a website
without having to use the base software used to create the page in the
first place. If it makes a difference, they pay yearly for the domain
and for the hosting to hosting service.

I would just feel a lot better knowing that they can make the simple
changes they need without needing my services...

Thanks,

Matt

 

[Jose]

If they are willing to learn a little HTML, it can be done in Notepad
(unless the site was done in FrontPage, in which case all bets are off).
I don't know if Web Page Wizard does the same damage that FrontPage
does, but if not, then making simple changes to a simple web page is
easy enough in Notepad, and an FTP client.

Jose

 

[dorayme]

Hey all,

For the past 2 years I have been maintaining a webpage for a
client. I have created and maintained it using Paraben's Web Page
Wizard software. For me, the creation and maintenance was no problem.
However, I no longer have time to do the usual updates and changes for
them. They are going to start updating on their own. The update only
consists of adding, removing a few links and possibly changing some
basic text.

Now, I know that it would be a pain for me to have them buy the
software then transfer all of the images and templates to it and
maintain it the same way I have been -- that would be way to hard for
them. Is there a simple way that they could edit the text/links on the
site without having to use WEB PAGE WIZARD? I am not talking layout or
graphics or anything, just text and possibly a few links...

In other words, how can someone make simple changes to a website
without having to use the base software used to create the page in the
first place. If it makes a difference, they pay yearly for the domain
and for the hosting to hosting service.

I would just feel a lot better knowing that they can make the simple
changes they need without needing my services...

Thanks,

Matt

Yes, they could do this if you prepare things a little for them.
First, you should provide them with the folder of their website
files, the html docs etc. You need to teach them how to open the
html files, make changes, save the files and upload them to the
server. Opening and saving and uploading will be easy.

The hard bit is to make changes. To this end, perhaps this will
help you:

Open up the html files they are likely to want to change. Put in
helpful comments in the source, marking the places they should
not change at all, the places they can change and even, in a
comment, an example of such a change. Thes things will be a good
guide for them if you do it well.

Do you understand what is being suggested here? I ask because you
are using special software and I have no idea if you are au fait
with source in the raw? The source is what you see when you View
Source in a browser, it is what is generated by your wizard as
final output to be uploaded to server.

 

[Toby Inkster]

In other words, how can someone make simple changes to a website
without having to use the base software used to create the page in the
first place.

You include a content management system to begin with. You don't seem to
have done that though, so you've made things difficult for them/you; so do
what dorayme says.

 

[Travis Newbury]

For the past 2 years I have been maintaining a webpage for a
client...
...I would just feel a lot better knowing that they can make the simple
changes they need without needing my services...

I have played a little with dotnetnuke, and I believe there is a
similar phpnuke out there too. Both are very easy to use free content
management systems, and allow you quite a bit of freedom with your
design. The resulting code won't validate, and I believe you need
javascript turned on for the sites you create, but it has a few nice
features. It is easy to use, you have pretty good control over
permissions, the novice (your client) can easily change content, and
the best is it is free.

But, for your particular case, it may be too late to use this as the
site has already been created, and you would have to do that again
(though it would be a simple process to convert)