If you are just stepping foot into the world of Joomla, then this article will provide you with some helpful tips. While I might recommend certain software in this article, please remember that there are other options out there that will also help you build a professional website.

The basics you will learn from Joomla is that you must create an account with a web host. Once you have a domain name (URL) on all host computers, then you select the One-Click Install on Joomla’s site that allows you to receive a free copy of Joomla that is build behind your domain. One great aspect of Joomla is that it has been well tested and is an “open source”. Because so many people use Joomla, their customer service reps are well trained and equipped to help you if necessary.

Here are my 10 tips to help you build a successful Joomla site:

1.Control Panel

Joomla has a control panel build into its operating system. However, there are many other, highly improved and free control panels out there you can use instead. Other control panels offer templates, plug-ins, and modules. You will want to make sure that other software on you your Joomla site is compatible with the control panel you install. I recommend you take a look at K2, a free site that offers many templates and is compatible as long as you have also installed Joom!Fish.

2.Joom!Fish

Joom!Fish offers translations of your site in other languages. This open source software works hand-in-hand with other software that will not operate unless the computer recognizes that Joom!Fish is present on your computer. The key is to install Joom!Fish early on so that other software can completely upload their documents and you can experience the complete functionality of these software.

3.SEF

Search Engine Friendly URLs (SEF) will help you create a user friendly URL so that it is not ridiculously long. One important reminder is to create this SEF URL in the beginning of your website creation. Any information on your site that is uploaded afterwards will at some point have to be converted to SEF.

4.Spare Domain

Using Joomla to host at least two Domains on your host is really worth investigating. Both Domains can be the same URL with a .com and a .org ending. If you were ever to make a significant mistake, then you could take all the information from one Domain and move it to the other instantly as a temporary holding place. Then you could remove all your information from the original site, install Joomla once more, and put the information then back onto the site, and you would be ready in case another mistake were to pop up again.

5.Directory

If your site serves a group of people, then you are in need of a directory for your viewers. You will need to install this quickly. One Directory to consider is SOBI2 because it gives you the option of charging your participants for multiple category entries and links.

6.Browser

Some web browsing software does not permit downloading of binary files. This software contains the pieces necessary for installing Joomla. So make sure you choose a browser that does not allow binary transfer.

7.FTP

File Transfer Protocol (FTP) software can do quite a bit for you. When you first download Joomla, you first have to navigate to the directories on your server and then disable the installation directory of Joomla. Deleting or changing the installation directory’s name can be completed using FTP software. Once you change the name on your Root directory from “htaccess.txt” to “.htaccess”, you will notice that it completely disappears. This is a crucial step because your Search Engine Optimization will not work until this is completed.

8.Templates

Before you can type any content onto your website, you will want to choose the template you want this content to appear on. Keep in mind the feel and personality of your site so that the templates are complimentary. Also the templates must be compatible with the Control Panel software. Most templates are free, so you should have quite a selection to choose from!

9.Forums

Forums are great places where your visitors can take a look at when they are in need of getting one of their questions answered. The forum is a place you can write, ask, or find questions after you have registered onto a site. If there is not a forum on any given website then this should be an alarming sign.

10.Password Controls

Creating accounts on other websites is necessary in order to build your Joomla site. You will have many usernames and passwords to create, so if I were you, I would keep an organized list of all these passwords and ids and keep this list in a safe place. These ten tips should really help you get started as you begin your Joomla site creation!