There are a number of reasons to use a content management system to develop a flexible and attractive website. Not many people build static HTML sites anymore, because the alternative in using a CMS is so attractive. The ones that do are typically experts competent in server technologies, HTML, CSS and JavaScript, though there are a number of amateurs producing basic web sites with software such as Expression Web, Dreamweaver and the open source Komposer.
The number of open source content management systems available to both the consumer and the developer is huge and growing daily. Joomla is one of the most popular; it is the first choice of many professional developers, and can be used just as easily by the amateur Webmaster to create a good-looking and fully functional website. Of course Joomla is not the only CMS on the market; both Drupal and CMS Made Simple have devoted followers convinced that their system is best. Although WordPress is generally regarded as a blogging platform, it is very widely used as a content management system due to its user-friendliness, range of extensions and good reputation.
Choosing Joomla to develop your site is something you should consider carefully; your decision should be based on the purpose of the site and what you hope it will achieve. Joomla, like most other open source CMS, has a lively community that not only provides support but also offers a huge range of plug-ins and extensions that extend the functionality by a huge amount. There are lots of examples, from contact forms to SEO plug-ins, but probably the best is the shopping cart. Much of this support is free, as are the plug-ins. A few years ago you would have had to pay a lot of money for this kind of sophistication, but thanks to open source projects like Joomla, just about anyone can get it for nothing.
It would be sensible, of course, to exercise caution when deciding to develop something as important as an e-commerce website. Many people would shy away from the complexities of tax bands and shipping rates, but equally there are those who are prepared to learn and produce a perfectly usable e-commerce site on a shoestring budget.
Whichever route you decide to choose you will find numerous forums and support groups available to help you should you hit trouble along the way. Owning and maintaining a website or blog can be extremely satisfying; Joomla and other CMS make it possible for anyone, whatever their experience to become their own Webmaster.
Author Resource:
Danny Ellise is a professional web developer based in the United Kingdom. He has developed many websites using a wide variety of CMS including Joomla and has reviewed a number oof them on Netresult Web Design .
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