Is CMS too complicated for me (a total noob) ?

[GW]

Hi all. I'm a 50 y/o and I got my first computer about 5 years ago. I can type fairly well and I've used html a little, mostly for posting images on message boards. I'm able to learn new things, but it hurts my brain.

I wish to create a website to blog about a hobby of mine, and also to sell 2 or 3 related products. I'm working directly with the manufacturer and all I need to do is to collect customer information via a PayPal link and forward the info to them for processing. Their marketing director knows I'm not very computer literate and they're willing to make it easy for me. I will want to upload a lot of high resolution photos and videos, or at least link to them. I use YouTube and PhotoBucket, but I would prefer to have better quality images if possible. I doubt that I will ever want to create a forum, because there are others that I will probably associate the website with.

I haven't downloaded any cms software yet, and considering the fact that I may need to ask a million noob questions in the future I thought it would be wise to give you all the chance to let me know if I'd be over my head using CMS. I won't be offended if anyone recommends different software because I have no doubt that you would be willing to help me if I chose to try CMS.

Thanks for reading and for any suggestions you might offer.

Jerry.

[alleyoopster]

With time and patience and the write approach most things can be learnt. I have found CMS one of the simplest to understand, set-up and use.  I would suggest trying it and see how you get on. With regards to video and photos, if you are not worried about using a web based system I would recommend youtube and picasa. There are modules available for both of these in CMS which let you display your media through your website.  Good luck

[GW]

Thanks alleyoopster.

If I started out using CMS and found it to be too difficult would it be easy to switch software?

[leslie894]

Is the primary purpose to blog? Or sell products?

Content management systems, portals, etc. are really not for the complete novice. Wouldn't you be better off using Yahoo or Amazon shops or eBay or something to sell your products and then get a blog on an existing blog host? Or use Wordpress if you want your own blog as it's very simple if all you want to do is blog.

There's been a huge discussion on this forum as to who exactly is the targeted user of CMS made simple. There's been a lot of disagreement but if a user doesn't know how to set file permissons, set up a database, alter templates and stylesheets BEFORE starting to use CMS made simpe, then the software isn't aimed at that user.

And no, it wouldn't be easy for a novice to move an existing site from one system to another. Everything is in the database.

[GW]

Thanks Leslie894.

The website will be mostly for sharing (blogging?) my experiences working with the product. I will maintain the site even if I don't get any sales. If people read my site and decide they want to own this product I would need to have a simple and secure way to get their information and pass it on to the manufacturer.

I've sold on Ebay before, but I would rather downplay the commercial aspect of my site as much as possible. Ideally I would have a blog with a PayPal link to get the basic customer info.

Perhaps the wisest thing for me to do is to pay someone to set up the website.

[leslie894]

Perhaps the wisest thing for me to do is to pay someone to set up the website.

You wouldn't have any problems using CMS made simple if you have someone more knowledgeable set it up for you. Updating content is simple

[GW]

Thanks, that makes sense. I would rather put my energy into my hobby/business than into learning website design from scratch.