Websites using Textpattern CMS

Okay, let s break down Textpattern CMS, covering its overview, revenue (which is a bit complex), alternatives, pricing, and customer care.

What is Textpattern CMS?

Textpattern is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) primarily focused on elegant design and flexible publishing. It s known for its clean code, emphasis on semantic HTML, and a strong community of developers and designers. It s often chosen by users who want a lightweight, customizable solution without the bloat of some larger CMS platforms.

Key Features:

• Clean and Lightweight: Generally faster and less resource-intensive than some larger CMSs.
• Semantic HTML: Encourages well-structured and accessible websites.
• Flexible Template System: Allows for precise control over design and layout. Uses its own templating language, TXP Tags.
• Extensible: Plugins and tags extend functionality.
• Multiple Authors: Supports multiple user roles and permissions.
• Content Organization: Utilizes sections, categories, and tags for content management.
• Built-in Link Management: Simple way to manage outbound links.
• Security-focused: Historically known for a good security record (though all CMSs require ongoing attention).
• Active Community: A dedicated community provides support and resources.
• Focus on Content: Less cluttered interface that puts emphasis on creating and managing content.

Revenue Model and Financial Aspects:

This is where it gets a bit tricky. Textpattern itself does not generate direct revenue. It s free and open-source software. However, revenue is generated indirectly in the ecosystem surrounding it:

• Development Services: Freelancers and agencies offer custom Textpattern development, theme creation, plugin development, hosting, and maintenance services. This is where the real money is.
• Plugin and Theme Sales: While many plugins are free, some developers sell premium plugins or themes for Textpattern.
• Donations: Some projects rely on community donations, but it is rare for such to generate significant income.
• Training/Consulting: Individuals or companies may offer Textpattern training or consulting services.

It s important to understand that there s no central Textpattern organization collecting revenue. It s a decentralized ecosystem of service providers.. As a result, it is impossible to determine how much revenue is generated by the Textpattern ecosystem.

Alternatives to Textpattern:

Here s a comparison of some popular CMS alternatives to Textpattern.

| Feature | Textpattern | WordPress | Craft CMS | Grav CMS | Statamic | | ----------------- | -------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | | Core Focus | Content, Design, Semantic HTML | Blogging, General Website Building | Custom Content Structures, Flexibility | Flat-file, Speed, Developer Friendly | Headless, API-First, Flexible | | Ease of Use | Moderate (Requires some code familiarity) | Easy (Beginner-friendly) | Moderate (Learning curve for Craft s power) | Moderate (Familiarity with YAML helpful) | Moderate (Learning curve for Statamic s power) | | Flexibility | High (Through tags, templates, and plugins) | Very High (Huge ecosystem of plugins) | Very High (Highly customizable content models) | High (Templates and plugin support) | Very High (Highly Customizable and Extensible) | | Performance | Generally Good (Lightweight) | Variable (Can be fast, but often requires optimization) | Very Good (Focus on performance) | Very Good (Flat-file system) | Very Good | | Security | Historically Good (Requires ongoing vigilance) | Variable (Vulnerable to plugins/themes if not maintained) | Good (Security-focused development) | Good (Flat-file system adds security) | Good | | Learning Curve | Moderate | Easy | Moderate to High | Moderate | Moderate to High | | Pricing | Free (Open Source) | Free (Core), Premium Themes & Plugins | Paid (Different license tiers) | Free (Open Source) | Paid (Different License Tiers) | | Community | Smaller, Dedicated | Huge | Smaller, Growing | Smaller, Active | Smaller, Growing |

Other CMSs and Site Builders to consider:

• Joomla!: Another open-source CMS, more complex than Textpattern but more powerful out of the box.
• Drupal: Extremely powerful and flexible, but also complex and requires significant development expertise.
• Squarespace/Wix: Hosted site builders, easier for beginners but less flexible than a self-hosted CMS.
• Ghost: CMS focused specifically on blogging.
• ProcessWire: Another flexible PHP based CMS.

Pricing:

• Textpattern CMS itself is FREE. It is open-source software, licensed under the GPL (GNU General Public License).
• Costs You ll Incur:
  • Hosting: You ll need a web hosting account. Costs vary widely (from a few dollars a month for shared hosting to hundreds for dedicated servers).
  • Domain Name: Usually around $10-20 per year.
  • Themes/Plugins (Optional): While many are free, you might purchase premium themes or plugins. Prices vary.
  • Development/Design Services (Optional): If you need help customizing your site or building a theme, you ll pay for these services.

Customer Care/Support:

Since Textpattern is open-source, there is no official customer care department in the traditional sense. Support is primarily community-driven:

• Textpattern Community Forum: This is the main place to ask questions, get help, and discuss Textpattern.
• Textpattern Documentation: Official documentation provides information on installation, usage, and development.
• Textpattern Wiki: Community-maintained wiki with tutorials, tips, and tricks.
• Third-Party Developers/Agencies: If you re paying for custom development or hosting, they will provide support related to their services.
• Stack Overflow: You can often find answers to Textpattern-related questions on Stack Overflow.

Summary:

Textpattern is a solid choice for users who value clean code, semantic HTML, and a flexible template system. It s best suited for those with some coding experience or those willing to learn. While the CMS itself is free, you ll need to factor in hosting, domain name, and potentially theme/plugin costs, as well as the cost of professional support if needed. The community is active and helpful, making it a viable option for those looking for a less bloated, more customizable CMS. However, the ecosystem is much smaller than WordPress.