is Modx the right tool for myself? Modx vs Wordpress

Hi Everyone,

I am super new to Modx, and I’ve been trying to look up as much info and online videos, etc to try and figure out if Modx is right for myself. I’m posting on here now for a bit of direction and advice.

Basically this is my current position. I have ideas for several websites I’d like to create. But I’m no advanced computer programmer the furthest I got in programming was using things like Visual Basic and VBA to just programme for myself at home.

I am very visual in the way I work and I like systems that are point and click as much as possible rather then raw coding.

The first websites I created used Frontpage, then I used PhpNuke, PhpBB to create a user forum and now for the last few years I’ve migrated to Wordpress.

What I like about Wordpress is how easy it is to add plugins that allow you to add new features to the site and also how easy it was to totally change the look of the entire website by uploading new themes. The shear number of plugins and themes was impressive.

I find Wordpress is very good if you want to create a static information website - such as a site that is created for a Business to just tell people what time they are open, have a map to their place, and a simple contact form.

However the kind of websites I want to create in the future would be more Database driven.
I’d like to create websites that offer members of the public the ability to contribute such as with forum software (like phpBB), I’d also love to do more things with Google Maps and data that is linked to geographical locations.

For example I’d like to create a website that shows on a Google Map Pins and when people click on those pins you’d be able to see that someone from the public has posted an event that takes place in that location.

I’d also like to have the system so that if the event is limited number of places - for example there’s only 80 places then build some kind of system into it that creates virtual tickets which people can then print off and bring with them. And maybe also have payments via Google Checkout / Payl Pal.

In the past I’ve been able to create some nice things with Microsoft Access and using that kind of visual tool I’m able to creaet some nice database driven stuff that sits on a desktop, I’d love it if there was something like that integrated into a CMS system, where it’s all very visual.

From what I’ve said so far does Modx seem a good fit or is there another OpenSource solution that sounds a better fit?

I’ve looked into Silver Stripe but it doesn’t seem to have that many plugins and themes. Modx seems to have a much larger community of people and more stuff out there I could integrate into a website.

Thanks in advance for any help.

For what you describe, you’ll most likely want more than a blogging platform. Really, you’ll also want learn a bit more about coding too, as there is likely no GUI-driven plug and play system with all of those features in place. MODx would fit the bill nicely in that respect, but it’s not going to be plug and play per your discussion.

I used wordpress for many websites, i think it’s a good starting point for beginners because you can use downloaded themes or build your own.

Modx requires at least some knowledge of PHP but is far more flexible. I’m managing to translate it in italian language for professional use with italian clients

Modx is going to have a lot more flexiblity than wordpress. Wordpress is great as you mentioned for static content, blogs, etc. For a more user friendly site with registration and more than you would prefer to use modx.