I have some new clients who want to be able to update their own web sites. What is the simplest, least expensive way to set up a site so that the client can update it themselves? Does it have to be a database-driven site? I'm used to hand-coding sites and updating them myself, so this is somewhat new to me.
You could simply create a script that they can log into that would allow them to change a page of text that is on the server. You then use SSI to include that text file in the page. That way you avoid using a database if you want. I have two clients I do this with. The nice thing about this method is they never touch the html or have to know anything about it.
If they want to be able to change the look of pages then I would suggest tha you have them purchase an inexpensive web design program for there computer and then have them use FTP to up load the files. Most of these programs are drag and drop WYSIYG and pretty simple and not that expensive.
There are tons of perl scripts on the net you can use for this that use different methods. If you do a search using "content management" and perl, cgi or php which ever may be your favorite you well find them
I can recommend Wordpress (wordpress.org) for pages updates and such, I use it on quite a few sites and its solid.
If you want a full content management system, then postnuke works well, or an offshoot of postnuke, called xaraya.
They are both PHP based, so you will need PHP on your site.
HTH
Thanks for your suggestions. Much appreciated. I'm going to try out both suggestions. :)