Best Approach to write Customize WCM (lotus web contnet management)

Best way to customize the LWCM (Lotus web content management) is to create separate webApplication (EAR) file deployed on Portal server. keep all your custom JSP files in that web applicaiton and let your WCM JSP components or any customization access them as below

/YourWebApplicationContext;/jsp/youcustomefile.jsp

this way you no need to place your JSP file under multiple place like under the render portlet , authoring portlet.

Pros: This way you don't loose your files and reduce the steps in feature LWCM upgrade path ( reduces backup of those files before upgrade)