Wordpress as CMS

Syed Rafey Husain

4.86/5 (5 votes)

Aug 30, 2013

CPOL

5 min read

22660

Quick and easy way to convert Wordpress into a Content Management System.

Introduction

WordPress isn't a CMS but it can be converted into one using its plugins. Out of the box WordPress doesn't support a memberships based public website with avatars, workflows, document management system, and authorization. This article describes steps to converts WordPress into a CMS.

Background

An NGO asked my company to provide a CMS for their intranet/employees. They were looking for document management, content creation, and a workflows based system with strict authorization and authentication. Our company usually provides solution using Microsoft SharePoint but due to the client's budget limitation I suggested to the sales people that we will be using WordPress.

Install Plugins

Install the following plugins to a new WordPress site. These plugins will help you to quickly make WordPress a CMS.

Plugin	Description	Reason to install
Add Multiple Users	This plugin allows you to add multiple user accounts to your WordPress blog using a range of tools. Version 2.0.0 \| By HappyNuclear \| Visit plugin site	A convenience plugin to save time.
Admin Menu Editor	Lets you directly edit the WordPress admin menu. You can re-order, hide or rename existing menus, add custom menus and more. Version 1.2.2 \| By Janis Elsts \| Visit plugin site	This will help you to arrange admin menu that suits your CMS users.
Advanced Access Manager	Manage Access to WordPress Backend and Frontend. Version 1.7.5 \| By Vasyl Martyniuk	An authorization plugin for CMS membership.
Advanced Custom Fields	Fully customize WordPress edit screens with powerful fields. Boasting a professional interface and a powerful API, it’s a must have for any web developer working with WordPress. Field types include: Wysiwyg, text, textarea, image, file, select, checkbox, page link, post object, date picker, color picker, repeater, flexible content, gallery and more! Version 4.2.2 \| By Elliot Condon \| Visit plugin site	To create CMS forms you will be creating Custom Post Type (CPT). A CPT is just like a database table and fields are like database columns. This plugin combined with Custom Post Type UI will help you to create custom forms. You could also use another plugin GravityForms for creating CMS forms. To save Gravity Forms to CPT use a plug in gravity-forms-custom-post-types.
Bulk Page Creator	Allows you to create multiple pages in a batch/bulk manner saving time when initially setting up your WordPress site. Version 1.0.6 \| By Dagan Lev \| Visit plugin site	A convenience plugin to save time.
BulkPress	Create and manage (restructure hierarchy) vast amounts of categories, terms of custom taxonomies, posts, pages and posts of custom post types in the blink of an eye! The easy-to-use interface allows you to quickly create both hierarchical and non-hierarchical posts and terms by just specifying the title and optionally the slug, allowing you to quickly populate your website with content. Version 0.2.2.1 \| By Jesper van Engelen	A convenience plugin to save time.
Custom Login 2.0	A simple way to customize your WordPress wp-login.php screen! Use the built in, easy to use settings page to do the work for you. Share you designs onFlickr or get Custom Login extensions at Extendd.com. Version 2.1.5 \| By Austin Passy \| Visit plugin site	A plugin to customize login page.
Custom Post Type UI	Admin panel for creating custom post types and custom taxonomies in WordPress Version 0.8 \| By WebDevStudios.com \| Visit plugin site	See Advanced Custom Fields.
Download Manager	Manage, track and control file download from your WordPress site Version 2.4.9 \| By Shaon \| Visit plugin site	Admin will be able be to upload files and CMS users could download them.
Edit Flow	Remixing the WordPress admin for better editorial workflow options. Version 0.7.6 \| By Daniel Bachhuber, Scott Bressler, Mohammad Jangda, Automattic, and others \| Visit plugin site	To customize workflow.
Login Logo	Drop a PNG file named login-logo.png into your wp-content directory. This simple plugin takes care of the rest, with zero configuration. Transparent backgrounds work best. Crop it tight, with a width of 312 pixels, for best results. Version 0.7 \| By Mark Jaquith \| Visit plugin site	A plugin to customize login page.
Mass set Categories	Set posts to categories all at once Version 0.1 \| By J. Frank Parnell	A convenience plugin to save time.
Members	A user, role, and content management plugin for controlling permissions and access. A plugin for making WordPress a more powerful CMS. Version 0.2.2 \| By Justin Tadlock \| Visit plugin site	An authorization plugin for CMS membership.
NextGEN Gallery by Photocrati	The most popular gallery plugin for WordPress and one of the most popular plugins of all time with over 7 million downloads. Version 2.0.11 \| By Photocrati Media \| Visit plugin site \| Get help \| Contribute
Restrict Categories	Restrict the categories that users can view, add, and edit in the admin panel. Version 2.6.2 \| By Matthew Muro	An authorization plugin for CMS membership.
Simple Local Avatars	Adds an avatar upload field to user profiles. Generates requested sizes on demand, just like Gravatar! Simple and lightweight. Version 2.0 \| By Jake Goldman, 10up \| Visit plugin site	A plugin to add a support for avatar in WordPress.
UberMenu 2 - WordPress Mega Menu Plugin	Create highly customizable Mega Menus through an easy-to-use WordPress Plugin. Please be sure to follow the installation instructions precisely. Downloaded from 96down.com. Version 2.2.2.0 \| By Chris Mavricos, SevenSpark \| Visit plugin site	A plugin for multi column menu.
User Role Editor	Change/add/delete WordPress user roles and capabilities. Version 4.4 \| By Vladimir Garagulya \| Visit plugin site \| Changelog	An authorization plugin for CMS membership.
User Switching	Instant switching between user accounts in WordPress Version 0.8.2 \| By John Blackbourn \| Visit plugin site	A convenience plugin to save time.
WP Document Revisions	A document management and version control plugin for WordPress that allows teams of any size to collaboratively edit files and manage their workflow. Version 1.3.6 \| By Benjamin J. Balter \| Visit plugin site	Document management system
WP Posts Filter	This plugin filters posts by category or tag to list them in the particular page. Version 0.2 \| By Oleg Lepeshchenko \| Visit plugin site	An authorization plugin for CMS membership.