With the number of content management systems available, it can often be difficult for people to choose which one is most appropriate for their needs. Many individuals utilize Joomla! as a platform for their site. However, there are a number of pros and cons that come along with using Joomla! as a CMS.
Pros
Easy to Install: Joomla! is generally very easy to install. The vast majority of shared web hosting services will allow people to install Joomla! via the administration interface with a single click. The CMS is also open-source, and individuals who are running their own web servers will find the installation process to be relatively simple.
Powerful: Joomla! can do everything that people would expect in a content management system, and it does so in a way that is easy to understand. It features a highly intuitive content writing and editing interface that resembles the type of word processors that individuals are generally used to dealing with. In addition, individuals can add functionality to their site using modules that are available from the Joomla! marketplace.
E-Commerce Ready: There are a number of extensions available that allow website owners to sell and manage products and services directly from their Joomla! site. This makes it a great tool to create e-commerce sites quickly and easily, and the modules allow for a level of integration that is generally not available with WordPress plugins. Both content and commerce can be administered from a single place, and this makes it highly convenient compared to similar tools for other CMS systems.
Great for Both Developers and Non-Developers: People who are not particularly experienced in working with technology will find Joomla! relatively easy to learn and work with. In addition, developers can utilize their programming skills to create their own Joomla! modules that will allow their site to function in any way that they would like.
Cons
Complexity: When it comes to complexity, Joomla! falls somewhere between WordPress and Drupal. While the learning curve that comes with using Joomla! may not be as steep as it is with Drupal, it is definitely more difficult to use than WordPress. This is particularly true when individuals would like to extend the functionality of their Joomla! site or add a custom design. However, it is simple for even beginners to add content to a Joomla!-based blog.
Not Many Add-On Modules: Unlike WordPress and Drupal, there are not many add-on modules available for Joomla! CMS. Because of this, individuals who want to extend their Joomla! site may have to hire a developer to create a custom module if they cannot find an existing one that does whatever it is that they would like to do.
The Bottom Line
Joomla! is a great choice for people who need a CMS that is more versatile than WordPress but less complex than Drupal. It offers users a wide range of functionality that they can use to build many different kinds of websites. With this, individuals should choose Joomla! if they are comfortable working with technology to create a blog or e-commerce site but do not need a full fledged web application.