I am in the process of building a sales training portal that will give resellers training and access to a crm.  Even though I am a bigger fan of wordpress than Joomla, I kept my mind open and explored a development project that would integrate Joomla and vTiger.

Joomla is a membership content management system – and it is very nice but not the direction I went because I think it as more for building a social network or club.

vTiger is an opensource CRM that is wonderful but lacks a few essential things, such as leads from the web into the CRM.  vTiger has a module that you can configure that is supposed to do that, but I could not get it to work.  It is very poorly documented.

I like vTiger, but the modules seem worthless and difficult to add and configure.  Out of the box vTiger is very good though.

So here is the issue – 1st:  Don’t be surprised when opensource is not perfect.  It is free after all.  You are probably best off learning one tool that is really dependable, as I have done with WordPress.

2nd: Buy the premium plugins after reading reviews.  It can often save you a bunch of time and headaches.

The truth about Opensource software is that very few of them have non-tech people overseeing the development.  And tech people have a tendency to try to do too much.  (Not all, but they do love the technology)

I am going to use vTiger as my CRM.  I am going to use WordPress and Wishlist Member as my training portal.  And yes, there are going to be two logins for the different tools.  When you are looking for opensource solutions you just have to understand you are probably not going to get exactly what you want.

• Are you looking for a Membership Website Script?
• Are you looking for Membership Website Software?
• Are you looking for Membership Website Plugin?
• Are you trying to find Membership Website SAAS?
• What about a Membership Website Widget?

All these different terms get used in different ways by people, making it hard to know what you are looking for.  Here is a quick guide to Membership Website Scripts and other terminology – just so you know what you are looking for.

Membership Website Script

The word script usually refers to a third party tool where you place a few lines of script (code) in the footer of your membership website.  Typically it is independent of whichever Membership Website Software System you have chosen.

Membership Website Software

Membership Website Software is usually a full content management system that may be specifically designed for membership websites or it may simply have the features to make it a good option for membership websites.  Examples are WordPress, Joomla, Drupal and Moodle.

Membership Website Plugin

A plugin is much like a script, but it is designed for one particular platform.  So a WordPress membership website plugin will only work in WordPress.  The good thing about a plugin over a script is that it is designed to be easy to install and configure within your membership website software.

Membership Website SAAS

SAAS stands for Software as a Service.  This is a more expensive option because someone is doing the work, development, support and hosting of your membership site for you.  However, a good Membership Website SAAS will free you up to create great information and market the membership website.

Membership Website Widget

Membership Website Widgets are pieces of code nearly the same as a plug in.  Widgets have special properties that make them easier to set up and move around in your membership website software.  Not all membership site software supports widgets, but those that do make it much easier for non-tech people to customize the tools and interfaces.