it's very easy with most off the shelf cms's to customize your site so it looks like no other. i've done this using aWiz and MAS, and is true of any cms that uses tags or customizable templates.

in fact, i've never seen a cms that forced your site to look like any particular thing. it's a question of understanding how to work with their templates.

Quote Originally Posted by AcidMaX View Post
Here is another though to throw into the mix, and I am not trying to sell anything.

When you use an off the shelf application, your site typically looks like an off the shelf site. There is nothing unique that sets you apart from the rest of the world. If your budget can sustain a custom development I think doing that is best as long as it's not re-inventing the wheel. In this business I don't think I have seen a single off the shelf CMS actually fit the persons needs 100%. When it comes to processing images, 2257 documentation etc etc., most of the time the off the shelf products just don't fit our needs.

IMHO, if you are going for a flagship site, something to be above and beyond the others, custom is a better way to go. If you are wanting to build 1,000 cookie cutter sites then maybe the off the shelf is better.