What Is Joomla?
Joomla Explained
What is Joomla? It is a free, open-source content management system used to build websites ranging from small business sites to community portals and online magazines. Joomla is written in PHP and uses a database to store content, in the same general way as other CMS platforms.
The project began in 2005 as a fork, or independent copy, of the Mambo project. It is developed by a community of volunteers together with a non-profit organization, and it is released under the GNU General Public License, so its code is open for anyone to use and modify.
Components, Modules, Plugins and Templates
Joomla extends its core with four main types of extension, each with a distinct job:
- Components add larger features, such as a booking system, a forum or an event directory.
- Modules display smaller blocks of content, such as a menu, a login box or a list of the latest articles.
- Plugins run in the background to change how the site behaves, for example by handling a text editor or search.
- Templates control the layout and visual design of the site.
The general idea of extensions is explained in what CMS plugins and extensions are, and it applies to Joomla as well. Knowing which type of extension you need makes it easier to compare options.
Built-In Multilingual and Access Control
Joomla includes multilingual features in its core. Content can be linked across languages, and a language filter can direct visitors to the version that matches their browser settings. Translations still have to be written or sourced, so the software supports the work without doing it. The general approaches are compared in multilingual CMS websites.
Access control is another strength. Joomla uses user groups and access levels to decide who can view, create, edit or publish content in each section. This suits organizations with several editors, membership sites and sites that show different content to different visitors.
A Community Association Website
A sports club runs a website with a public news section, an event calendar, a members-only document area and separate sections managed by different volunteers. Joomla's access levels let each volunteer edit only their own section, while members see additional pages after logging in.
The same club might also publish its content in two languages for a local community. Joomla's multilingual features can link those versions without building two separate sites.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Joomla suited for?
Joomla suits sites that need built-in multilingual support, detailed user permissions or a structured community setting. Simple brochure sites can also run on it, though some beginners find platforms with a larger number of simple themes easier to start with. Comparing it with other large CMS platforms helps clarify the choice.
Is Joomla free to use?
The software is free under the GNU General Public License, so you can download and use it without paying a license fee. Hosting, a domain name, paid templates or extensions, and developer work are separate costs, as with other open-source CMS platforms.