Hi everyone. I've been asked this a few times and more often then, I generally tell my new clients that I use a CMS for their web sites before they even ask this question. Almost all of the sites I host, design, develop and/or setup I use Joomla! as the CMS for their sites. Joomla! is usually number 1 or 2 of the top open source content management systems that are available.
There are several reasons why I use Joomla! (and others - WordPress and Drupal) and here they are:
- Open Source: This means it is freely available to use.
- Ease of Use: Joomla! is a very easy framework to use.
- Templates: there are many available (free and commercial) templates with themes for almost every type of organization, company or personal need.
- Extensions: available extensions (or applications) are readily available for Joomla! as well as for WordPress & Drupal. What I'm referring to here are things on a web site that are more then just a page to look at. Examples are calendar, contact form, message board, event sign up, shopping cart, photo gallery, news flash slider, social networking, memberships, and many, many, more.
- Common Platform: Joomla!, as well as most CMS's will allow the use of a WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) editor for most of the content. This allows non-web programmers to add, change or update their own content. Some of my clients love this and find it is very enabling to have this choice. After 1-2 hours of teaching from me, my clients are able to manage their own web site content.
- Widespread Knowledge & Support: There are quite a few web developers who use and are familiar with Joomla! It is also supported by many program developers to keep the extensions updated on a regular basis. This means that in the event I am not able to take care of my client's web site, another web person should be able take over for me. This provides longevity for the investment my clients have made.
- Professional: These sites look and are professional. There is not doubt about it!
- Search Engine Friendly: If a Joomla! web site is done correctly, it should be search engine friendly. This is very important if a client wants to be found on Google, Yahoo, Bing or other search engines!
As you can see, there are some very important reason's for using Joomla! These are the main reason I use it for my clients. There are more but let me share with you some web sites that are currently using Joomla! (borrowed from Joomla.org at http://www.joomla.org/about-joomla.html):
- MTV Networks Quizilla (Social networking) - http://www.quizilla.com
- IHOP (Restaurant chain) - http://www.ihop.com
- Harvard University (Educational) - http://gsas.harvard.edu
- Citibank (Financial institution intranet) - Not publicly accessible
- The Green Maven (Eco-resources) - http://www.greenmaven.com
- Outdoor Photographer (Magazine) - http://www.outdoorphotographer.com
- PlayShakespeare.com (Cultural) - http://www.playshakespeare.com
- Senso Interiors (Furniture design) - http://www.sensointeriors.co.za
For more information on Joomla!, go to www.joomla.org.
Some of my recent clients who use Joomla:
- Window King
- Easy CAM LLC
- Third Day Victory Church
- Christian Media Association
- Call2All Business Group
- Barrett Family Dentistry
- Insurance Annex
- Brake Insurance
- New Beginnings Outreach Ministries
- Many more - go to Bill's Web Biz for my portfolio.
To get training on Jooma!, click the link below.
FYI. I'm using both Joomla and WordPress for this web site. Why? Because I have things I like best about both CMSs. But, the main reason is ... because I can!
God Bless!
Bill
