The Joomla Content Management System
Looking for a free open source content management system? WordPress is probably one of the best systems out there, but it has a rival called “Joomla.”
As a small business owner, you can use Joomla to create your entire website. One of the nice things about content management systems is that they are dynamic — you can keep adding content from an online interface without having to mess around with constantly updating your menus and html coding. You can “schedule” your articles to be published at some point in the future. All of your content is searchable. And you can have other people contribute articles and/or comments to your site without your having to make sure that the coding is correct. Beyond these basic components, a content management system such as Joomla will let you develop:
- Inventory control systems
- Data reporting tools
- Application bridges
- Custom product catalogs
- Integrated e-commerce systems
- Complex business directories
- Reservation systems
- Communication tools
The best part about Joomla is that since it is open source, it is absolutely free. As long as you have a hosting service that offers PHP (most do), you can easily install Joomla and get to work on your site. In fact, many popular hosting services have a tool called “Fantastico” that allows you to install programs such as Joomla with a simple click or two of the mouse.
Some sites that are powered with Joomla include iHop Restaurants, the United Nations’ Regional Information Center for Western Europe, and Outdoor Photographer magazine.
If you construct a website using Joomla, your pages get indexed by the major search engines quickly — meaning that you will enjoy web traffic right away.
How to Set Up & Use Joomla can be downloaded for free.
The downside of Joomla is that it can be a challenge to understand, especially for small business website developers who are not familiar with content management systems. That’s where today’s free download can help.
How To Set Up & Use Joomla is available for free via the Web 2.0 Marketing Giveway, which closes its doors on November 4, 2008. The informative ebook will show you how to install Joomla and then how to use it so that you can create as many Joomla websites as you wish, quickly and easily.
Similar ebooks that give you a step-by-step guide for using Joomla sell for at least $14.95 and oftentimes much more.
Even if you have a “main” product website for your mom and pop business, consider adding a second domain that is based on a content management system. You can use this second domain to write about your special offers and information that will be helpful to your client base. Use this second website to drive traffic to your main site. Free systems such as Joomla will help you create your “traffic site” quickly and easily.
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