I'm curious about how solo web developers approach building and managing websites for small businesses, especially when using modern frameworks like Next.js or Astro. I'm interested in knowing whether developers generally use templates or start from scratch for each project. When it comes time to hand off the site to clients, how do they typically do this, given that these frameworks don't come with built-in CMS options? Additionally, what tools do developers use to manage their clients? Is there a preferred client portal, or is it often done manually? I'm exploring a product idea that aims to help solo developers and small agencies efficiently build and manage websites for their clients. Is there a need for something like this in the market?
5 Answers
The handoff can be tricky! I usually end up giving clients a Google Doc for content changes because they often can't handle a full CMS without messing things up. I like to keep it simple; I just make the updates myself. A smoother handoff tool would definitely help, especially since most clients don’t want to deal with git or full access to everything.
I tried using Astro but switched back to WordPress because clients just wanted an easy UI to manage their content, even on their phones. I find it easier to keep everything in a familiar space for them.
There are great CMSs like Sanity and Contentful that work well with Astro if you want to give it another go.
I use a mix of Nuxt and WordPress. We design in Figma and then hand it to the developer to build. Honestly, I think it's smarter to focus on upselling services instead of just giving clients access to everything.
Clients really don’t care which framework you use, so pick whatever works best for the project. The real challenge is managing expectations and communication with clients.
You'll see a mix of pricing from solo developers. Some charge a flat fee while others bill much higher for more complex sites. Most of us integrate Strapi, Sanity, or Contentful with Next.js for CMS needs. The real issue is finding clients that value your work. It's frustrating to manage bad projects.
Exactly! I'm interested in how developers manage clients with lower budgets on a monthly retainer.
Have you tried Sitepins? It might help with client handoff!