The Beginners Guide To Joomla

Empowering Website Creation: An Introduction to Joomla

Many individuals aspire to establish an online presence through a website, yet lack the perceived technical expertise to do so independently.

MakeUseOf is pleased to present The Complete Beginner's Guide To Joomla, now accessible as a complimentary download.

Unlock Your Website Building Potential

This comprehensive, over 40-page resource enables users to rapidly construct professional-quality websites with minimal effort.

The guide provides thorough instruction on utilizing the Joomla Content Management System (CMS) for building and managing websites.

From Installation to Customization: A Step-by-Step Approach

Readers will be guided through every essential aspect, beginning with the rationale behind selecting Joomla.

Detailed instructions are included on installing Joomla onto your web server environment.

Furthermore, the guide covers the processes of website design and customization to align with your specific preferences.

Achieve Website Launch Confidence

Upon completion of this guide, you will possess the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully launch and maintain your own website.

This resource is designed to empower even those with no prior experience to confidently navigate the world of web development with Joomla.

This document provides a comprehensive overview of utilizing the Joomla content management system. It will guide you through the essential steps, from initial installation to site customization.

§1–Introduction

Joomla is a powerful and versatile open-source content management system (CMS). It allows users to build and manage websites without extensive coding knowledge.

Its flexibility makes it suitable for a wide range of applications, including blogs, corporate websites, and online magazines.

§2–Installing Joomla

The installation process begins with downloading the latest version of Joomla from the official website. Ensure your web server meets the minimum system requirements before proceeding.

Typically, installation involves uploading the Joomla files to your server and then accessing the installation script through your web browser.

Follow the on-screen instructions, providing database connection details and setting up an administrator account.

§3–Configuration Settings

After installation, configuring Joomla is crucial for optimal performance and security. Access the administrator backend to begin.

Key settings include global configuration, user management, and search engine optimization (SEO) options.

Pay close attention to the site's name, email address, and time zone settings.

Security is paramount; regularly update Joomla and its extensions to protect against vulnerabilities.

§4–How To Publish Content

Joomla utilizes a component-based architecture for content management. Articles are the primary content type.

To publish content, navigate to the Article Manager within the administrator backend.

Create new articles, format them using the built-in editor, and assign them to appropriate categories.

You can also manage menus to control the navigation and display of your content on the front end.

Categories help organize content logically, improving user experience and SEO.

§5–How to Design and Customise Your Site

Joomla offers extensive customization options through templates and modules.

Templates control the overall look and feel of your website.

Numerous free and premium templates are available, allowing you to choose a design that suits your needs.

Modules are self-contained blocks of content that can be placed in various positions on your pages.

Common modules include news feeds, login forms, and search boxes.

Extensions can further enhance functionality, adding features like e-commerce capabilities or social media integration.

§6–Conclusion

Joomla provides a robust platform for building and managing dynamic websites. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively utilize its features.

Regular updates, careful configuration, and strategic content publishing are key to maintaining a successful Joomla-powered website.

Continued exploration of Joomla’s capabilities will unlock even greater potential for your online presence.

1. Introduction

Joomla represents a robust Content Management System, offering considerable adaptability alongside a user-friendly interface. Many individuals, however, can feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options and configurations available within the system. This document aims to function as a practical guide to Joomla’s fundamental functionalities, assisting you in the installation process and the launch of your initial Joomla website.

We all begin as novice users, and it is my hope that this guide will address some of the questions you may encounter.

1.1 What is a CMS (Content Management System)?

A Content Management System comprises interconnected programming pages and a database, enabling the retrieval of information from the database in a content-rich format. Does this sound complex? In reality, you likely interact with one frequently.

Have you ever updated your Facebook profile or authored a blog post? Have you ever purchased an item from Amazon.com or participated in an auction on eBay? Have you ever consulted The New York Times Online or explored Wikipedia? All of these websites utilize a form of Content Management System.

Our focus will be on systems that empower you to manage your own website through a streamlined interface, allowing for the creation of pages and menus without requiring programming expertise.

1.2 About Joomla

Joomla is a platform built upon PHP and MySQL, initially released in 2005 by a collaborative team of open-source developers. Currently, it boasts a community of 200,000 users and contributors. Joomla is freely available for download and use in website creation. Furthermore, it is open to developers wishing to contribute extensions and templates.

The latest version of Joomla can be obtained from this location.

1.3 Why Joomla?

Currently, three primary free CMSs are available, alongside numerous less widely adopted alternatives. The most prevalent Content Management Systems include: Joomla, Drupal, and WordPress.

The distinctions between these systems are substantial, despite their shared core purpose – assisting you in building and maintaining your website. Numerous debates have occurred among Joomla and Drupal users regarding which platform is superior. Having experience with both, I believe each possesses unique strengths and weaknesses.

Joomla

Advantages:

Joomla generally offers a simpler setup process and a more accessible learning curve.
It typically features more visually appealing templates and a welcoming community, even for beginners.

Disadvantages:

Joomla’s code can sometimes be disorganized, potentially leading to slower loading times.
Its architecture imposes limitations on the depth of subcategories that can be created.

Drupal

Advantages:

Drupal provides a more flexible infrastructure, enabling the creation of extensive subcategories and advanced user features.
It offers fast loading times and relatively clean code.

Disadvantages:

Drupal has a steeper learning curve and often requires a longer installation and launch timeframe.
While the community is supportive, it may exhibit less patience towards new users and those posing fundamental questions.

In essence, both are excellent CMSs, and your choice should align with your specific requirements and willingness to address each system’s individual challenges.

Consider the available modules and themes for each CMS, as your project may necessitate components not present on both platforms. A careful evaluation of the pros and cons of each CMS is recommended before initiating your website development.

WordPress differs significantly in many respects. WordPress is fundamentally designed as a blogging platform. It also has a large community and the ability to evolve beyond a simple blog, but it functions optimally as a delivery mechanism for constantly updated content, as blogs are intended. However, it is possible to create effective websites with WordPress that are not strictly blogs.

2. Installing Joomla

2.1 Basic Requirements

Joomla can be installed in two primary ways: through a manual process or utilizing installation software like Fantastico or C-panel. These software solutions, typically found on your hosting server, provide a user-friendly interface for site management and software installation. However, the fundamental requirements for both installation methods remain largely consistent.

As a database-driven system, Joomla necessitates a SQL database for operation. This database will house the tables and store all data added to your website. Furthermore, optimal performance is achieved on a relatively fast server; if your current server is outdated, contacting your hosting provider to inquire about upgrades or migration to newer hardware is advisable.

Joomla’s resource demands mean a server capable of handling numerous processes concurrently will improve site loading speeds. Older servers may also lack support for the latest Joomla versions. A current list of system requirements can be found on the official Joomla website.

When employing Fantastico or C-Panel, verify the version of the Joomla installer. Prioritize the newest version whenever possible, or at least a version that is only one release behind. Recent versions typically include vital security enhancements and bug resolutions, which are crucial for dynamic websites.

To ascertain the most recent Joomla version, a visit to the official Joomla website is recommended.

2.2 Installation with C-Panel

Having confirmed all prerequisites, the installation process can begin. If your server includes C-Panel, the task is streamlined.

Navigate to C-Panel, locate Fantastico within the Content Management section, and check the available Joomla version. A recent version – at least 1.5 or newer – is preferred. Click “New Installation” (or select the upgrade option if you already have a Joomla installation).

You will then be prompted to provide the following details:

• The domain name for your website.

• The installation directory (leave blank for the root directory, or specify a folder name for a subdirectory installation).

• Administrator username, password, email address, and full name.

• Your website’s name.

• An option to install sample data (checking this box will populate your site with default pages, menus, and directories for learning purposes; however, many users prefer to uncheck this option and install a clean Joomla instance).

Finally, click “Install Joomla”.

Allow a few minutes for C-Panel to create the database and complete the Joomla installation. Upon completion, you will receive links to your new website and the Joomla administration area, where you can create content and configure your site.

2.3 Manual Installation

If your hosting environment lacks C-Panel, a manual installation is necessary. While involving a few additional steps, the process remains manageable.

You will require a database, an FTP program, and the Joomla installation files.

Step 1 – The Database

Most hosting providers offer database creation tools within their administration panels. You generally won’t need direct database management knowledge after creation. Gather the following information:

• Database Name

• Database ID

• Database Password

• Database Path (or address)

This information will be essential during the Joomla installation process, so keep it secure.

Step 2 – Downloading Joomla Files

With the database established, download the latest Joomla installation files from the official Joomla website.

Extract the downloaded zip file to your website’s file system. If you intend for Joomla to be the primary content of your site, place the extracted files in the root directory.

Alternatively, if you wish to integrate Joomla as a subdirectory within an existing site (e.g., http://mysite.com/joomla), create that subdirectory and extract the files there.

Step 3 – Uploading Joomla Files

Utilize an FTP program or your server’s file manager to upload all Joomla files to your hosting account.

Step 4 – Running the Installation

Once uploaded, access the installation script via your web browser:

http://yoursite.com/index.php (if Joomla is in the root directory)

Or:

http://yoursite.com/JoomlaFolder/index.php (if Joomla is in a subdirectory)

Follow the on-screen installation wizard.

The wizard will prompt you for a language selection and then verify your server’s compatibility with Joomla.

In some cases, Joomla folders may have incorrect permission settings, resulting in an “Access is not allowed” error. If this occurs, you may need to manually adjust folder permissions using your FTP program or your hosting provider’s file manager.

Exercise caution when modifying permissions, as incorrect settings can compromise site security.

Recommended basic permission settings are:

Employ the most secure settings for non-public files whenever feasible, without disrupting Joomla’s functionality.

Step 5 – License

Review and accept the Joomla license agreement.

Step 6 – Database Information

The next page requires your database credentials.

Specify the following:

• Database type (MySQL is the most common).

• Hostname (the database address or path).

• Username and password (for the database).

• Database name (chosen during database creation).

If your hosting provider did not allow you to customize database options during creation, try using “localhost” as the hostname and the username/password provided by your host.

For local installations using WAMP or XAMPP, the username is typically “root” with a blank password.

Unless you have specific reasons or encounter errors, avoid modifying the advanced settings.

Continue through the configuration process, providing basic site information (email, site name) and deciding whether to install sample data. As previously mentioned, installing sample data can be helpful for learning, but many users prefer a clean installation.

Completing the prompts will lead to a “Congratulations” page.

Finally, delete the “installation” directory via FTP to enhance site security. Leaving this directory accessible poses a significant security risk.

Your Joomla site is now ready for content creation and customization through the Joomla interface.

3. Configuration Settings

Following the installation of Joomla, the next step involves adding content and managing your website. Access to the site’s administration panel is required, typically found at http://(your site and folder where Joomla is installed)/administrator. Login utilizes the username and password established during the initial installation process, granting access to the site’s backend.

3.1 User Manager

The User Manager facilitates the creation of new users via the “new” button, alongside the editing of existing accounts. This interface also allows for the assignment of users to specific permission groups, thereby defining their capabilities within the site.

For instance, “super administrators” possess comprehensive control, while registered users have limited access to front-end sections requiring login.

3.2 Global Configuration

The Global Configuration section contains three key tabs, with settings that impact the entire website. Careful consideration of these choices is essential.

Site

The site can be taken offline, preventing public access during maintenance or development. A maintenance message will be displayed to visitors.

Furthermore, you can modify the site name and select a default WYSIWYG editor – the interface used for creating and formatting articles, including font styling, bolding, and table creation. TinyMCE is the standard option, though additional editors are available for download. Joomla boasts a vast library of extensions.

The list length setting determines the number of articles displayed on the backend interface before pagination is implemented.

Feed length and feed email control the length and email address associated with the site’s RSS feed.

The Global Site Meta Description and keywords define the general site description and keywords used by search engines like Google.

SEO settings

Search Engine friendly URLs transform page addresses from complex structures like this:

http://yoursite.com/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=listcats&cat_id=1922&Itemid=35

into more readable formats such as:

http://yoursite.com/about-us/contact

http://yoursite.com/index.php/about-us/contact.html

The addition of a suffix (like .html) is optional and may require Apache mod_rewrite support on your hosting server. Testing without the suffix is recommended, with the option to enable it if issues arise.

It’s also possible to remove the “index.php” portion from the URL entirely.

3.3 System

The System settings offer several options for modifying site behavior, including user registration and access privileges. Some of the most important features are detailed below.

User settings

Allow user registration (yes, no) – This setting controls whether visitors can create new user accounts. If enabled, you can specify the default access level for new users:

New user registration type:

• Registered – Users have basic access without publishing or editing privileges.

• Author – Users can create and manage their own content.

• Editor – Users can create, manage, and edit content created by others.

• Publisher – Users have full control over content, including publishing decisions.

(Further details are available at: http://docs.joomla.org/)

New User account activation (yes, no) - Determines if new users must confirm their registration via email.

Path to media folder - Allows you to specify a custom URL for the media manager’s file storage location.

Path to image folder - Allows you to specify a custom URL for the image storage location.

Minimum User Level for Media Manager (author) – Defines which user levels can access the media manager for uploading, deleting, and managing files. Author is the default setting.

Modifying other settings should only be done with a clear understanding of their function.

3.4 Server

Most server options are pre-configured during installation. However, adjustments may be needed for:

Under mail settings:

Mail from - Specifies the email address used for sending messages from the Joomla site.

From name: The sender name displayed on emails originating from your Joomla site.

Tools

The tools section provides features for general site maintenance and user communication. Private messages can be sent to individual users, and mass messages can be broadcast to all users.

A padlock icon indicates that a file is currently being edited by another user, preventing simultaneous modifications. The Global Check In function releases all locked files for editing.

Caching mechanisms can improve site speed. The “Clean Cache Admin” and “Purge Cache Admin” options allow you to clear these caches when necessary.

4. How To Publish Content

Within the Joomla framework, each article must be assigned to both a section and a category, unless explicitly left unspecified. Consequently, thoughtful consideration should be given to naming conventions for these elements before content creation begins. Consider a section as analogous to a drawer within a filing cabinet, while a category represents the folder contained within, and articles are the documents residing inside.

A helpful guideline is to view sections and categories as equivalent to menus and their associated dropdown options. For instance, if you envision a button labeled “About Our Company,” with a dropdown revealing “Team” and “Locations” upon mouseover, this structure can be mirrored in Joomla.

Implement this by designating “About Our Company” as a section, and “Team” and “Locations” as its corresponding categories. Subsequently, individual staff member profiles can be created as articles within the “Team” category, and details for each business location, including maps and contact information, can be housed as articles within the “Locations” category. This approach ensures a well-organized site structure, facilitating menu creation later on.

4.1 Sections

To establish a section, navigate to the “Content” menu and select “Sections.” Upon reaching the page, click the “New” button. This will direct you to a form with various options. The essential field is the “Title,” with an optional “Description” if you intend to link a menu button to that specific section; otherwise, the title alone suffices.

4.2 Categories

Categories are also accessible from the content menu. As sub-divisions of sections, they function similarly. A “Title” is required, and you must also assign the category to a specific section. All other fields are optional and do not impact site functionality.

4.3 Articles

With your sections and categories defined, you can now begin adding content to the site. To create an article, go to “Content,” then “Articles,” and click “New.”

You will be presented with an interface resembling Microsoft Word, albeit with fewer features. This is a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor, meaning that actions performed on this page will be translated into HTML code, readable by web browsers as a webpage.

Begin by entering the article “Title.” The “Alias” field is not mandatory. Next, select the appropriate “Section” and “Category” – these were established previously. You can then input your text and images using either the standard WYSIWYG viewer or by directly editing the HTML code (accessible via the HTML icon). Furthermore, you can optimize for search engines by clicking the “Meta Tags” option on the right-hand side.

The “Read more” button is another useful feature. It allows you to display a brief excerpt of the article, with a link prompting users to click for the full content. Simply position the cursor where you want the preview to end, then click the “Read more” button.

This action inserts code into the article, creating the “Read more” link. This is particularly beneficial when using a blog display format, preventing the entire article content from appearing on a single page.

Several advanced parameters are also available for modification, including options to display the author’s name and the default PDF, print, and email icons typically found in the upper right corner of Joomla articles.

4.4 Media Manager

The Media Manager serves as your central tool for organizing images. A key point to understand is the location of your files. By default, it includes a few sample images (like fruits and food). These images can be accessed from the articles interface for inclusion, but only files within the “Stories” folder are directly accessible this way.

While you can link to images in other folders, you’ll need to manually locate and input their addresses. Therefore, for ease of use, I recommend storing all images intended for use on your site within organized folders inside the “Stories” folder.

It’s also important to note that the Media Manager does not automatically resize images. Uploading excessively large images can distort your website’s layout and significantly slow down loading times, even if you manually adjust the image size within Joomla. Therefore, resize and compress images using image editing software on your computer before uploading them to the Media Manager.

4.5 Front Page Manager

The Front Page Manager allows you to control the order and specific features of articles displayed on your site’s homepage. It is accessible from the “Content” menu. This is where you manage the options for the articles you’ve chosen to feature on the front page.

A particularly useful feature is the ability to reorder articles – a function also available for sections, categories, and individual articles. To do this, navigate to the Front Page Manager and locate the list of articles. You’ll find a column labeled “Order.” Modify the numbers to reflect your desired display order, then click the save icon next to the “Order” title.

4.6 Menus

Having created sections, categories, and articles, you can now construct the menus for your site. Multiple menus and submenus can be created using the “Menu > Menu Manager.”

The default “Main Menu” is the most common and can be found under the “Menu” button. The menu options are extensive, allowing links to sections, categories, single articles, external websites, components, wrappers, and more.

The “Articles” menu is likely to be the most frequently used. It enables linking to Articles, Categories, or Sections, and also allows configuration of the display format.

For example, to create a menu link pointing to a category named “Sports,” and to display articles in a blog format with article beginnings followed by a “read more” button in a two-column layout, select “Articles>Category Blog Layout” from the new menu options.

As you become more proficient with Joomla and expand your site with components, you will discover additional menu types available for use.

5. How to Design and Customize Your Site

Joomla sites offer a wealth of features, including social sharing tools, mailing list integrations, calendars, and photo albums, among countless others.

These capabilities represent a key benefit of using a dynamic website platform. While scripting custom changes and features is possible, over 5000 plugins, modules, templates, and components are readily available for download – a significant portion being offered at no cost – for those who prefer not to code.

Following a download, always review the specific instructions for any unique requirements. Otherwise, installation is straightforward using the steps outlined below.

To install any of these features, navigate to the “Extensions” button and select “Install/Uninstall”. This will direct you to a page where you can locate the file on your computer or upload it directly from a URL. Typically, the file will be a zipped archive and should not be uncompressed before uploading.

After selecting the file, click “Upload and Install”. A success message will appear after a short processing time. You can then enable the installed feature through the Modules, Plugins, Components, or Template Manager.

Confusion often arises regarding the distinctions between plugins and modules, and the functionality of components. Let's clarify these concepts.

A selection of free extensions is showcased in this MakeUseOf article.

5.1 Plugins

Plugins enhance Joomla by adding features that function within articles or interact with them. For instance, enabling article sharing and bookmarking is a popular choice.

This functionality should be applied to each article for proper operation, but manually adding it to every page would be tedious. Plugins automate this process. A search on the Joomla extensions site for “social bookmarks” revealed several plugins that implemented this feature on my site. Once installed and activated, social network links automatically appeared on each new article.

5.2 Modules

Modules are commonly recognized as the side boxes found on dynamic websites. Unlike plugins, which operate within articles, modules function as side menus and shortcuts surrounding the main content.

For example, a module could allow visitors to subscribe to your newsletter directly from your page. This involves downloading or creating a module and then determining its placement on your site.

Each template provides specific slots for module placement. Common locations include the left bar, right bar, footer, and header. Many templates further subdivide these areas into smaller sections, such as “user 1,” “user 2,” and “user 3” in the footer, allowing for multiple modules to be displayed.

Modules can be downloaded or created. To create a module, select “Modules” under the “Extensions” button, then click “New”. A comprehensive list of options will be presented, including modules associated with installed components and default Joomla modules. The HTML module is particularly versatile.

This module functions similarly to a standard HTML page, allowing you to add text, links, and other HTML elements.

After creating the module, select its desired position from the dropdown menu on the upper left of the screen. Ensure the module is enabled and save your changes. The module should now be visible on your pages. If it doesn't appear or is in an undesirable location, return to the Modules Manager and select a different position.

5.3 Components

Components add comprehensive features to your Joomla site. They are more complex than plugins or modules, often incorporating multiple functionalities. Popular examples include JomSocial (a paid option) for creating a social network within Joomla, and Acajoom, a robust email list component.

While installation follows the same process as other extensions, components often require additional configuration or the activation of related modules. Always consult the component creator’s instructions.

5.4 Templates

The visual design of a Joomla site is largely determined by its template. While Joomla provides full access to the site’s HTML and CSS for custom modifications, many users lack proficiency in these languages. Pre-made templates offer a convenient solution.

Joomla includes a few default templates, but their aesthetic quality is generally low. The “Beez” template, for example, features a prominent bee graphic, which may not be suitable for all websites.

Numerous websites and developers offer professionally designed templates with customizable module placement options.

A Google search for “Joomla templates” will yield hundreds of resources for both free and paid templates.

Installation is typically straightforward, utilizing the same interface used for other extensions.

After installation, navigate to “Extensions > Template Manager” and select the new template. Click the star icon labeled “Default” in the upper right corner of the screen. Your site will now reflect the new template’s design.

A common issue arises when users upload a template and find that their site doesn’t match the preview image. This is often because templates rely on specific modules and plugins that must be activated and placed in designated areas of the site. Carefully review the template’s instructions to ensure proper configuration.

Here are some extensions I recommend:

For further extension suggestions, explore my MUO article: 10 Best Free Joomla Extensions You Can't Live Without.

Resources for free templates include: Joomla24 [Broken URL Removed], Joomlaxe, SiteGround

5.5 Joomla Community and Support

Joomla boasts a strong and active community. With a large user base, most questions have likely already been addressed by others. The forums (http://forum.joomla.org/) and Wiki pages (http://docs.joomla.org/) are valuable resources for finding answers to your questions.

6. Conclusion

Joomla, similar to many feature-rich platforms, can initially appear complex due to its extensive capabilities and configuration options. However, the learning process is often less daunting than perceived, particularly when approached incrementally, focusing on mastering one aspect at a time.

With practice, you can quickly establish a dynamic website that is both simple to update and capable of evolving alongside your needs.

Modifying the site's appearance and incorporating new functionalities can be accomplished rapidly. Significant configuration adjustments are also streamlined through modifications to a limited number of files.

Should you be contemplating the use of Joomla, it is hoped that this guide will encourage you to explore its potential and facilitate a smoother onboarding experience with your new CMS.

If challenges arise during your Joomla journey, assistance is readily available through the MakeUseOf Answers forum, where experts can provide support. Alternatively, you can browse existing Joomla related questions.

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