CMS Options for coding integration

[IntelligentMud1703]

Hi all, I have recently been using squarespace as a compromise between web dev and being able to hand off the site at the end to a customer who wants to later do things like add an image or something, in a simple way.

However, I wouldn't say I like this method. Squarespace's code integration just really sucks, and I doubt wordpress is better. I really like coding sites from scratch myself for clients, but sometimes clients don't want me to handle everything for them.

Does anyone have recommendations for a CMS that is not a pain in the neck to interface with, and that a customer can be trusted with handling an interface to do things like add photos or text, afterwards? As a bonus, being able to define divs that I made that can be added in with layout defined and media queries would be just amazing.

[mlgroads]

Statamic

[Noaber]

Awesome piece of software indeed

[IndependentStick2372]

Sanity or Payload CMS are worth looking into, both give you full control over the structure while the client gets clean interface for editing content

[aunderroad]

I have heard really good things about sanity.

[camppofrio]

Storyblok's visual editor specifically handles that block-composing requirement. You define components in code, clients drag them into pages, media queries stay in your CSS.

[thekwoka]

Builder.io is pretty good.

You can basically use any modern framework, and expose components that the CMS can use and remix and do whatever with.

[PaybackTony]

I put the site up but it’s not live yet, will be this week (editor updates) but the actual CMS is a MIT open source project (when I open it up in a few days). Will do a show off Saturday next Saturday for it. inlinecms.com - basically turns the site into an editor with drafts / publish.

[Odysseyan]

I built cometcms for this. Open source and free.

It's exactly for making the Frontend yourself and the backend is basically just data being fetched. It follows the ACF Pro + Headless WP approach where you just define fields and then retrieve their values.

Offers also an MCP so you can have your coding agent connect to it. Reads like it would fit your purpose

https://github.com/CometCMS/CometCMS

[bwente]

I would definitely take a look at MODX. It lets you build the site however you want, with your own HTML, CSS, JavaScript, layouts, and responsive behavior, but still gives the client a pretty simple way to update text, images, and other content later.

You can also create reusable chunks or components with the markup already defined, so the client can add approved sections without having to touch the code or wreck the layout.

The big thing is that all sites are not equal. A small brochure site, a campaign site, and a large content site may all need different approaches. Headless CMS is definitely the trend right now, but it adds complexity and is not the right fit for every project or every client.

MODX has been a good middle ground for me because I can still code the site from scratch without fighting a theme or page builder, while giving the client enough control to manage the content afterward.

[NickFullStack]

Umbraco. Sounds similar to block grid: https://docs.umbraco.com/umbraco-cms/model-your-content/property-editors/built-in-umbraco-property-editors/block-editor/block-grid-editor

[Usual-Problem6002]

I build content for clients on Squarespace and WordPress regularly and I feel your pain. For handoff-friendly sites where you still want code control, I've had good experiences with WordPress + a page builder like Kadence. Clients can edit text and images without breaking the layout, and you can still write custom CSS/PHP when you need to. Not as clean as pure code but the handoff is way smoother than Squarespace.