CushyCMS is a hosted solution that allows you to build static HTML pages, without the need to install anything extra. This means it is independant of platform, you can use it on a Windows based server, or a Unix based server, the results are the same.

You will of course need to sign up to CushyCMS in order to use the solution, but it’s a very simple process and is free.

Once you’ve signed up, you will be asked to add a site to your account which will require details such as the server name and FTP details so that it can make the adjustments to the site as you make your changes. After adding a site, you will need to add a page to list as editable, clicking on the ‘assign page to site…’ link will bring up a list of files (using the FTP details you entered for the site). Click on the file you want to be able to edit, give it a name, and click the ‘assign page’ button.

You’ll now see that page in your list, and you’ll be able to click through to the edit page. Doing so now though, CushyCMS wont know which parts of the page you want to be editable, so lets go ahead and put in some code to let it know.

Jump into your favourite editor and open up the original file. All you need to do is give all the elements you want to be editble the css class “cushycms”. For example:

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<h1 class="cushycms">My editable title</h1>

Once you’ve added this class to all the elements you want to be editble (including images that are auto resized!) save the file and add it to the server you have hooked up to CushCMS, and go back to the edit page in CushyCMS.

That’s it. Done. Simple right!

It doesn’t stop there though, as the main developer, you can also give access to your clients so they can maintain their own content. You can even assign only certain pages to them if you want to restrict their access. When you add a new “editor” the client will receive an email with their login details, and they will have a simplified view of the admin area and be able to edit the content for only the pages you have allowed them access to.

So next time you build a small site that still needs CMS capabilities, keep CushyCMS in mind.

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