Joomla is the open-source content management system (CMS) used for web presence around the world, and has had everyone in the world of web discussing and debating for many years.
It is undoubtedly the best known content management system and - due to its popularity and perceived user friendliness - is the CMS most frequently discovered by the layperson (leading to discussion in the world of web people, as yet another layperson enquires about using Joomla).
For those of you who don't know anything about programming or web design, but simply want to understand an overview of what this 'Joomla' thing is all about, and whether you should want to use it; well - as a CMS - it does exactly what it claims.
It enables you, the end user, to manage content.
You log in, you add articles, edit them, add other content, and so forth.
What matters really, though, is that you can understand why sometimes people choose Joomla, and why they sometimes choose something else.
I've heard it's easy to use Forget what you have been told.
Joomla is not intuitive to the lay-person, nor is it the most easy to use system.
It doesn't mean you can't learn how to use it, it's not that hard - but it's not that easy either.
If I create a Joomla site, I'd also produce a manual, and I would expect a layperson to have to refer to that manual most times they want to do something with their site.
I've looked for Joomla sites, and they all look poorly designed Don't confuse the design with the technology.
The reason so many Joomla sites out there look poor is because Joomla is so popular with the tinkering enthusiast! Design is down to the skill of the designer (although it is - admittedly - more difficult to successfully turn good design into Joomla).
Can't find many good looking Joomla sites? The best ones you won't be able to tell! It seems to be the most popular, so it must be the best? Popularity of an open-source CMS is actually sometimes important.
It means there are more modules (optional add-ons that can extend the system's functionality) available for it, the updates come thick and fast keeping it updated and secure, and also there is ease of installation.
Many web hosts offer 1-click installation of Joomla in a way they just don't for other CMS.
If I feel that a client is going to need that self-sufficient ability, I will consider Joomla for them.
If you don't have a choice and need DIY, this is a definite plus point.
Is it actually the best, though? It's no better or worse than most other open-source CMS.
Joomla simply stole a march on other CMS in terms of popularity.
If you are considering Joomla, another open-source contender I would suggest you have a look at is the heavier-duty Drupal.
Particularly with the later versions, laypeople may find Drupal easier to use, but sadly you won't find many 1-click installs, and there aren't as many third party modules for it.
How much does it cost? Joomla is open source, so you can use it freely.
There are no ongoing servicing costs, unless you pay someone to take care of it for you.
Joomla runs on PHP and MySQL (open-source), and the hosting for this is cheaper than the Microsoft equivalent.
As mentioned above, many hosts offer 1-click installation: If you're a layperson this opens up a world of cheap hosting solutions for you.
So, should you be using Joomla for your web presence? That depends.
Some don't have the luxury, but my firm belief is that the business needs of your website design should over-rule any preconceptions about technology - the tech should support your aims, instead of trying to bash inappropriate technology with a hammer to get it to come close.
Joomla is great for deploying all different kinds of media, hosting discussions, surveys, growing a newsletter list, and much more.
Where your needs are straightforward, you need to maintain hosting flexibility, and you want to leave the door open to a vast world of third-party modules, Joomla is a good choice.
However, if you're looking for an ecommerce solution that integrates with your warehouse ordering systems and accounting department, then you'd be advised to consider other options.
It is undoubtedly the best known content management system and - due to its popularity and perceived user friendliness - is the CMS most frequently discovered by the layperson (leading to discussion in the world of web people, as yet another layperson enquires about using Joomla).
For those of you who don't know anything about programming or web design, but simply want to understand an overview of what this 'Joomla' thing is all about, and whether you should want to use it; well - as a CMS - it does exactly what it claims.
It enables you, the end user, to manage content.
You log in, you add articles, edit them, add other content, and so forth.
What matters really, though, is that you can understand why sometimes people choose Joomla, and why they sometimes choose something else.
I've heard it's easy to use Forget what you have been told.
Joomla is not intuitive to the lay-person, nor is it the most easy to use system.
It doesn't mean you can't learn how to use it, it's not that hard - but it's not that easy either.
If I create a Joomla site, I'd also produce a manual, and I would expect a layperson to have to refer to that manual most times they want to do something with their site.
I've looked for Joomla sites, and they all look poorly designed Don't confuse the design with the technology.
The reason so many Joomla sites out there look poor is because Joomla is so popular with the tinkering enthusiast! Design is down to the skill of the designer (although it is - admittedly - more difficult to successfully turn good design into Joomla).
Can't find many good looking Joomla sites? The best ones you won't be able to tell! It seems to be the most popular, so it must be the best? Popularity of an open-source CMS is actually sometimes important.
It means there are more modules (optional add-ons that can extend the system's functionality) available for it, the updates come thick and fast keeping it updated and secure, and also there is ease of installation.
Many web hosts offer 1-click installation of Joomla in a way they just don't for other CMS.
If I feel that a client is going to need that self-sufficient ability, I will consider Joomla for them.
If you don't have a choice and need DIY, this is a definite plus point.
Is it actually the best, though? It's no better or worse than most other open-source CMS.
Joomla simply stole a march on other CMS in terms of popularity.
If you are considering Joomla, another open-source contender I would suggest you have a look at is the heavier-duty Drupal.
Particularly with the later versions, laypeople may find Drupal easier to use, but sadly you won't find many 1-click installs, and there aren't as many third party modules for it.
How much does it cost? Joomla is open source, so you can use it freely.
There are no ongoing servicing costs, unless you pay someone to take care of it for you.
Joomla runs on PHP and MySQL (open-source), and the hosting for this is cheaper than the Microsoft equivalent.
As mentioned above, many hosts offer 1-click installation: If you're a layperson this opens up a world of cheap hosting solutions for you.
So, should you be using Joomla for your web presence? That depends.
Some don't have the luxury, but my firm belief is that the business needs of your website design should over-rule any preconceptions about technology - the tech should support your aims, instead of trying to bash inappropriate technology with a hammer to get it to come close.
Joomla is great for deploying all different kinds of media, hosting discussions, surveys, growing a newsletter list, and much more.
Where your needs are straightforward, you need to maintain hosting flexibility, and you want to leave the door open to a vast world of third-party modules, Joomla is a good choice.
However, if you're looking for an ecommerce solution that integrates with your warehouse ordering systems and accounting department, then you'd be advised to consider other options.
Source...