What is Joomla?
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David
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December 10th, 2012
Web design beginners often feel overwhelmed by the options at hand. Even picking out a blogging platform, or Content Management System, can be a huge thing to consider. WordPress might be the most mainstream and popular Content Management System for beginners, but Joomla might be the right option for you. hat is it? Who uses it? Who should? Learn the answers to these questions and more in this Joomla Review!
What is Joomla?
Like WordPress, Joomla is a free, open source Content Management system used to create start-to-finish websites. It is the second most popular Content Management System after WordPress, and has been used to build over 30,000,000 websites. It is endlessly customizable, and features a comprehensive and powerful forum for user interaction.
Do I need to have programming experience to use Joomla?
Not really, but it can be a little less user-friendly at the start. There are different packaging options, however, which work for experienced programmers and novice end users. When in doubt, we recommend hiring or working with someone who's experienced in Joomla, and then learning how to maintain the site on your own.
What does Joomla cost?
Web Building (Photo credit: B.Garry)
Although Joomla itself is a free system, you do need to have a domain and hosting. That can be done through Joomla, or through another hosting program. All it takes is a simple download!
Who uses Joomla?
Really, anyone! Joomla can be used to design and maintain countless varieties of websites. It's strong enough to create and support complex design options, but also simple and user-friendly enough to add to the overall user experience.
These include IHOP, Harvard University, Citibank, and more. To see a longer list and for more information, please visit the Joomla website.
Should I use WordPress or Joomla?
This can be a difficult decision, really. If you're an average user, you can create and maintain a strong, user-friendly website through either system. If you're looking for a really strong, malleable system though, you might want to opt for a program like Joomla. It is a bit more intense, and works very well for comprehensive sites. That doesn't mean you can use WordPress for big, strong, lumberjack-style websites. It just means that you might want to consider your end result. If you need a really capable, individualized website, consider Joomla. Plus, it's free!
Take the Joomla Challenge.
To really tell which is best for you, try them both! It's easy to install either WordPress or Joomla to your self-hosted website. Consider installing one, and then making a quick subdomain redirect for the other. You can go in, get a feel for them both, and then making a final decision.
Either way, you're developing professional experience with two incredibly popular programs. The more you know, the better choices you can make!
For more information on Joomla and how it works, please visit the Joomla homepage.
How do you build your websites? Do you use WordPress, Joomla, or both? Which do you prefer?