Competencies - MODX

MODX: mod or ex?

MODX is an open-source Content Management System (CMS) and web application framework, begun by the developers Raymond Irving and Ryan Thrash in 2004.  Since then it has been continued by a community of enthusiasts, who all put their ideas for improvement into the “pot”, so it’s been regularly upgraded by the people who use it.  That means that it’s very workable and flexible, if you know what you’re doing.  And there’s a variety of forums where you can find answers to your questions about how to apply it. 

As an open-source (i.e. free) resource, MODX is downloaded roughly 4,500 times a week, so it’s been used for a lot of websites.  Among them are those of some distinguished clients, for example, the designer and lifestyle guru Pippa Toledo (http://www.pippatoledo.com); and Everlight Chemical (http://everlight-uva.com).

MODX is often compared to WordPress, because they’re both open-source, so what are the similarities and differences?

For one thing, it’s easier for web developers to alter the way a site works with MODX than with WordPress.  It’s safer than WordPress, too, because it tends to be used by people who are rather more clued-up about security threats. 

MODX supports the MySQL database, which means that it is good for content marketing.  It does, however, require competent coders to set it up.  Unlike WordPress, there’s no inbuilt WYSIWYG functionality: you have to know how to write code to use it, unless you download a plug-in.  That makes it somewhat less user-friendly for businesses who don’t have their own IT staff to write updates.  So it is usable for blogging, but not in the way WordPress is.

On the other hand, if you want a fully-functioning e-commerce site, MODX is more efficient than WordPress.  With MODX a web developer can create custom fields and widgets for templates and can even give different people Administrator permissions for different areas of the site.  It’s not the best system for large sites, but for SMEs it can be a good solution.

If you already have a site that uses MODX, we can help you get the best from it by updating it, cleaning it up, and adding or removing code as required.  We also have the competencies to build you a site from scratch using MODX – though there are other systems that we think are better, and we would usually use them in preference to MODX.

Inspire IT creates sites using its own proprietary closed source CMS and architecture, which is more flexible than any open-source CMS, including MODX, and importantly more stable.  We tailor each page to the client’s specifications based on what is the action we want the user to take on that page. I’ve mentioned in previous posts, we aim for “Apple design with Fisher-Price simplicity”. 

So if you've got a MODX site or are looking for a new website to take your business forward, come and talk to us.  We’ll make sure your site is safe, works well and is easy to use without you having to learn a whole new language.  What’s more, we’ll make sure it stays that way.

David Dwyer is Managing Director of Inspire Web Development. He has years of experience in a range of web and IT roles plus seven years in sales and marketing in a blue-chip FMCG company. David’s academic and professional qualifications include a BA (Hons) in Business Economics (Personnel & Ergonomics) from the University of Paisley, an MSc in Information Technology (Systems) from Heriot-Watt University and PRINCE2 Practitioner-level certification. He is also an active member of the British Computer Society, Entrepreneurial Exchange and Business for Scotland.

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