Joomla is a Content Management System (CMS) that is popular with web development agencies worldwide because of its flexible nature and built in content management functions. If you explore the most common add-on functions of Joomla you will get a good idea of whether or not Joomla is suited to your requirements but let's start with the basic features first.

Joomla's 'vanilla' installations include creating and publishing 'articles' or website pages within categories on the website. Ussually companies hire a website development company to create the initial look and feel of the website and to setup the basic structure of the website such as menus and feedback forms, to mention a few. The page content itself can include formatted text, images, videos, and links (including links to download files and external websites.)

From a look and feel point of view Joomla takes a lot of web development know-how to set up, especially when compared to WordPress and Cushy CMS). When we start looking at add-on functionality we start to realise the potency of OpenSource solutions by the sheer volume of modules and plugins available for Joomla. This is because module and plugin developers are given access to the base code of Joomla and can develop functions which they can either provide for a small fee or for free.

The most common types of add-on functions include

• Online Shopping Cart Facility (AKA OS Commerce or eCommerce).

• Publishing multiple languages translations of a website.

• Forum or blog addons.

• More advanced image and video libraries.

• Custom search functions (Such as searching by a product size attribute.)

• Custom user management to allow for different privilege types of user access .

• Search Engine Optimisation plugins for meta data management.

Because of the OpenSource nature of the Joomla development community sometimes conflicts arise from incompatible plugin modules. This is why it is a good idea to use a web development company with proven experience with custom Joomla installations. It is also worth noting that not all website warrant the extra time needed to install Joomla. The man contender for simpler CMS installations is WordPress.

Functions where Joomla comes in handy:

• Multiple Languages version of a website can be easily published using the right plugin.

• Generally online Shops with very advanced category and product management needs can be more easily implemented in Joomla than in WordPress. While Shopping Cart functions for WordPress do exist they do not have the scalability of Joomla's equivalents.

• User management as mentioned above deals with access privileges. (For example: A company with plenty of suppliers might need to access technical specs or high resolution promotional material.)

• Most often used for: Online Shopping, Online Communities and Large Corporates

Most common reasons to consider WordPress as an alternative:

• You have a large press, news or article requirement and need to be able to post many short items of content quickly.

• WordPress is easier for a non-technical person to update than Joomla because of its simple interface.

• Most often used for: Online Publishing, Simple Information Heavy websites and SME's.

These broad descriptions are based on past experience but they may not apply to your individual project. Before you approach a web development specialist it is a good idea to have a basic plan for the goals of your website. Brainstorm ideas with the developer and then find a compromise between something that will reach your goals as well as suit your budget.