Giving a client full control

[gd4]

I use Dreamweaver to build websites and upload websites by transferring files onto the ftp address.

How do I allow clients to have access to their own site to upload/change and generally maintain the site themselves?

I have never had to do this before and would like to be able to offer this to clients, in an easy way for them. (as they are unlikely to have Dreamweaver etc)

Any ideas would be brilliant and very helpful. Thanks :)

[Kevey]

Point them to some freeware ftp software (coreftp.com) and tell them how to make changes and upload files. This assumes that they know anything about html/css etc.

[gd4]

Ok, have just had a look at that but I think it might be too complicated for some of my clients who don't know html. Is there an easier option available? When other designers offer clients the option of maintaining their own website what do they use?

Any ideas? :)

[Grykat]

I think that would depend on what they want to update and change. If it's something like a monthly newsletter, you could teach them to always name it the same thing - news.pdf or news.doc or whatever, and just keep replacing the same file, that way the link in their site that points to that file will remain valid after the update.
If they want to actually edit and republish some of the pages in html, then they're going to have to learn at least a little coding, or else buy some WISIWYG authoring software. Or you're going to have to write some very explicit directions about exactly what they can change, and how to do it.

[jaec3]

Adobe Contribute might work best for you // http://www.adobe.com/products/contribute/

[steamfrog]

Agree Contribute is the best thing... Create your pages as Templates in dreamweaver allowing you to "lock off" areas that you don't want the client to edit or stuff up.