I've looked at many of these WYSIWYG HTML editors/site builders in the past and have found that they more often than not generate messy content (harder to maintain in the long run) and can cause cross browser problems. None of them have ever done a job I'm happy with.

I tend to use keep my HTML/CSS/JavaScript code separate from my server side code, and store my contents in a database. Frameworks make this easier. I've had success with CGI::Application. For the front end UI I use jQuery UI, it's very easy to create a custom theme/package containing all of or a subset of the features it has to offer (see jQuery UI themeroller), jQuery makes AJAX stuff simple.

What I would suggest doing is creating a static site template you're happy with, using HTML/CSS and develop it form there. Once you've done this you can use Perl (using a framework if desired) to create a dynamic site, the contents of which are stored in a database. Adding/administering content can be as simple as entering data into a form, much like posting this question. There are a lot of modern frameworks out there which I have not yet investigated (dancer, Mojolicious), do some research before deciding which framework suits you best.

Tools and services like Wordpress are great for people who are only concerned about the contents, they don't want to have to write an entire system to get their content out there. Perhaps time spent focusing on customising wordpress would reveal exactly what it's strengths and weaknesses are. Having installed Wordpress for a few non profit organisations I know that it can do a lot more than most people want.

Please note I am not a graphic designer :)