Joomla is a free, open-source content management system (CMS) that lets you manage a website without any programming knowledge. It is known for its strong built-in features for multilingual sites and user permissions.
What is Joomla?
Joomla is one of the best-known open-source CMSs in the world and has existed since 2005. Like other systems, it runs on a web server with PHP and a database. You manage the content via a secure admin environment.
Joomla occupies a middle position: more powerful and extensive than a simple blogging platform, but more accessible than a system that requires fully custom development.
Joomla compared with WordPress
Joomla is similar to WordPress: both are free, open source and can be extended with extensions and templates. Still, there are differences:
Popular and accessible
- More popular, and therefore a larger range of extensions.
- A gentler learning curve.
More structure out of the box
- More structure and possibilities for more complex sites.
- Takes a little more time to get used to at first.
Strengths of Joomla
Joomla stands out mainly because of what is already included as standard:
Multilingual support
Joomla supports multiple languages without extra extensions. Handy for international organisations.
Permission management (ACL)
With a fine-grained system of access rights you determine exactly which user may see or edit which parts.
Flexible structure
Suitable for sites with many pages, categories and user groups.
When do you choose Joomla?
Joomla is a good fit if…
- You want an extensive website.
- You want a multilingual website.
- Various staff members with differing permissions work on the site.
Less suitable for…
- A simple showcase site or blog. Then WordPress or a website without a CMS may be a better fit.
Maintaining a Joomla website
Like other CMSs, Joomla needs regular maintenance. The software and the installed extensions receive updates, for new features as well as for security. You have to apply them in good time. If you fall behind with updates, the risk of malfunctions and vulnerabilities increases.
Is your site no longer working properly? Then InnoDIGI can help with repairing a broken Joomla website.
Would you like to have a new site built, or an existing one maintained? Then take a look at Joomla web design.