I’ve created numerous websites over the years, and in almost all cases, I’ve used WordPress to get the job done. Recently, I noticed that Hostinger, which I use for web hosting, makes it easy to install Joomla sites. Because of this, I decided to use Joomla, rather than WordPress, for my next project. The result was mostly positive, although a few aspects bugged me.
What is Joomla?
Joomla is a free, open-source content management system (CMS) that helps you publish web content easily. It's a powerful and flexible platform for creating all sorts of websites and online applications. Because it’s under the GNU General Public License, you can use, change, and share it for free. Joomla comes with handy tools to create, edit, and organize your website content without a hitch.
You can also get more out of Joomla by adding extensions like components, modules, and plugins, which bring in new features to your site. Want your website to look a certain way? Joomla uses templates, so you can pick from many pre-made designs or whip up your own from scratch.
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Managing users is a breeze, too, with Joomla’s robust system that lets admins control who can do what. Plus, it supports multiple languages, making it great for multilingual websites. If you're keen on boosting your site’s visibility, Joomla offers features to help with search engine optimization, like friendly URLs that search engines love.
Joomla runs on PHP and usually stores its data in a MySQL or MariaDB database. It uses a model–view–controller (MVC) architecture, which keeps things organized by separating logic, data, and presentation. You can build a range of sites with Joomla, from corporate websites and online magazines to e-commerce shops and community pages.
It has a huge, active community of users and developers who are constantly chipping in to improve Joomla and provide help through forums and docs, so you’re never alone in your journey.
You'll see some key differences when you compare Joomla to other popular CMS platforms like WordPress and Drupal. WordPress is super user-friendly and has a massive plugin library, making it perfect for blogs and simple sites. Drupal, on the other hand, is very flexible and can handle complex, enterprise-level sites. Joomla strikes an outstanding balance between being easy to use and offering flexibility, which is perfect for many websites.
What is Hostinger?
Hostinger is a web hosting company that provides affordable and reliable hosting solutions for individuals and businesses. Founded in 2004, Hostinger has grown into a global provider, serving millions of users across various countries. It offers a wide range of hosting services, including shared hosting for beginners, cloud hosting for scalable resources, VPS hosting for advanced users, WordPress hosting optimized for WordPress websites, and email hosting for professional communication.
Hostinger is known for its budget-friendly pricing, making it a great choice for startups and small businesses. Its custom-built control panel, hPanel, ensures easy website management, while its AI website builder helps users create websites quickly with automated tools. Hostinger also has multiple global data centers to enhance website speed and performance. Additionally, the company offers 24/7 customer support in various languages, ensuring users receive assistance whenever needed.
Overall, Hostinger is a popular choice for cost-effective and efficient web hosting. With its diverse hosting plans, user-friendly tools, and strong customer support, it caters to both beginners and experienced users looking to establish their online presence.
Installing Joomla on Hostinger
Before installing Joomla on Hostinger, you must have already purchased a hosting plan through Hostinger. Perhaps even more importantly, that plan must support Joomla. You must also own a registered domain name or plan to buy one.
Hostinger simplifies Joomla installation with its Auto Installer:
- Log in to your Hostinger account and go to hPanel.
- Navigate to Website > Auto Installer.
- Select Joomla from the list of available applications.
- Enter your website details, including admin username and password.
- Click Install and wait for the process to complete.
Once installed, you can access your Joomla dashboard:
- Log in using the credentials you set during installation.
- Configure site settings, including language, timezone, and SEO preferences.
- Install essential extensions to enhance functionality.
Joomla offers a variety of templates to design your website:
- Go to Extensions > Templates in the Joomla dashboard.
- Browse and install a template that suits your website’s purpose.
- Customize the template using Joomla’s built-in editor.
Start adding content to your Joomla website:
- Navigate to Content > Articles.
- Click New to create a page or blog post.
- Format text, add images, and publish your content.
To improve user experience, create navigation menus:
- Go to Menus > Main Menu.
- Add menu items linking to different pages.
- Customize the menu layout and position.
Enhance your website’s visibility with SEO best practices:
- Enable SEF URLs in Joomla’s settings.
- Install an SEO extension to manage metadata.
- Use relevant keywords in your articles.
Protect your Joomla website from security threats:
- Keep Joomla and extensions updated.
- Install a security plugin.
- Enable SSL certificate for secure connections.
Once everything is set up, launch your website:
- Test all features to ensure smooth functionality.
- Share your website on social media and online communities.
- Monitor performance using analytics tools.
Joomla vs. WordPress
Joomla and WordPress are widely used content management systems (CMS), but they serve different purposes depending on user needs. Joomla offers more flexibility, making it ideal for developers who require advanced customization options. It has built-in multilingual support, eliminating the need for additional plugins, and provides better user management with robust access control settings. Additionally, Joomla has strong security features with built-in settings and extensions. However, its steeper learning curve can disadvantage beginners, as it requires more technical knowledge. Its ecosystem is also smaller, offering fewer plugins and themes than WordPress, and its interface can be complex for new users.
WordPress, on the other hand, is renowned for its ease of use, making it an excellent choice for beginners. It has an extensive library of themes and plugins, allowing users to customize their websites effortlessly. WordPress also excels in SEO optimization, with powerful plugins like Yoast SEO enhancing visibility. The platform benefits from a strong community, providing extensive documentation and support forums. However, its popularity makes it more prone to security vulnerabilities, requiring regular updates and security measures. Unlike Joomla, WordPress lacks built-in multilingual support, requiring plugins for such functionality. Additionally, while it is excellent for simpler websites, Joomla offers more flexibility for complex projects.
Ultimately, WordPress is better for users who want an intuitive, beginner-friendly platform with a vast ecosystem. At the same time, Joomla is ideal for those who need more control and customization for advanced projects. Choosing between the two depends on the user’s specific needs and technical expertise.