Using HTML templates
One of the most common questions I get is "Why is template (x) not working with CMS (y)?". The answer is simple: The website templates templates contain no CMS-specific code, so they will not work with any CMS by default. You need to add the proper CMS functions to get the template to work with your choice of CMS, or find ported templates or themes that have already been customized to work with the CMS you want to use. Like the WordPress themes, which I have customized to work with WordPress.
Porting is done in different ways for different systems, and it is nothing I can do for you since I don't know how all the different systems work. To learn more about it, look for documentation on the website of your CMS (like the Codex for WordPress), or learn from templates and themes that are already available.
If you want to start with a simple and easy-to-learn CMS, then you should check out sNews. It usually only takes a few minutes to turn a website template into a dynamic CMS-based site. Here is a quick guide on how to use a website template with sNews. There is also good documentation to read on the sNews website, and a forum where you can find many tips and tricks. And not to forget, the beautiful free templates by Luka, which I recommend everyone to check out.
Comments can be only posted for 14 days after the post date. If you have comments about an older post such as this one, feel free to send me an e-mail!
Comment from Dima Design
Time: July 24, 2007, 22:41
Andreas I hope, that you still will please us with available themes for WordPress as not always there is a lot of time.
Comment from Robbie
Time: July 25, 2007, 2:26
Don't worry about it, let the designers worry about making your themes work for other CMS's.
I like sNews, but I also like WordPress. Both are great, easy, and flexible.
Comment from Mathew
Time: July 25, 2007, 4:07
Always on the lookout for new CMS and sNews looks very lightweight, I look forward to trying it out
Comment from Finca
Time: July 25, 2007, 13:54
I agree, sNews is really a perfect start-off for beginners doing and handling dynamic content and a big thanks to you, Andreas, for the link to luka's free templates, a must-have bookmark!
Comment from Dave
Time: July 26, 2007, 4:16
Thanks for the lead on sNews. I was trying to find something in Wordpress that resembled more of a website than a blog so those free templates on the sNews site are great.
Comment from Khushal
Time: July 26, 2007, 23:55
I've always been a die hard fan of wordpress ever since i started playing with it in 2005, although i used Blogger as well but it just doesn't seem to go well with me although its really easily customizable, by the way i never heard of the sNews CMS thingy!!! but why should i when i have Wordpress to take care of everything!
Comment from sixdollarshirt
Time: July 27, 2007, 18:50
I think it's best to write your own CMS. That's what I'm in the process of doing, and while it may not be the prettiest or most exciting to look at, I'm gaining an understanding of what it takes to get things done. : )
Thanks for the templates by the way. I used them to teach myself more about CSS.
Comment from Andreas
Time: July 27, 2007, 21:46
I don't have the skills needed to build my own CMS. Even if I would know PHP and MySQL extremely well (which I don't), I would not know about all the traps and security risks that an own CMS will have. Rather than spending my time on learning something new, I'm using already existing (and well tested) code by others. And then I use all my energy on the part that I already know well: the design. That is what works best for me, and what I usually recommend others to do as well.
Comment from Fred K
Time: July 29, 2007, 2:00
I think it's great that there are talented programmers around that build systems like Wordpress and sNews. (Yep, I'm not a talented programmer so I have no choice but to rely on the lot of you ;))
– Thanks for the link, Andreas. *tips hat*
Comment from Sascha
Time: August 1, 2007, 16:13
I'm very happy that you do not make templates for special php-scripts like Joomla, etc.
a converted HTML Template is difficult to de-convert but in most cases it is easy to convert it from HTML to Template-Files. Esspecially for coder who are your main audience
Comment from Juegos
Time: August 2, 2007, 23:40
Is snews really easy? It is a bit hard for me, isn't there anything easier?
Comment from Haare
Time: August 3, 2007, 2:19
I think the easiest CMS is websitebaker, and there are also templates from Andreas for it….
Comment from Mats
Time: July 23, 2007, 20:33
Thanks for the tips on sNews CMS! I haven't seen that before but it looks great and I will try it out as soon as I have time.