Does Anyone Still Use Joomla?

Yes, people still use Joomla, especially for business websites. With over 3 million sites running on Joomla, it holds a solid position in the CMS world. You'll find it packed with features like advanced custom fields, multilingual support, and robust security measures. It's free and open-source, offering plenty of customization with about 10,000 extensions. While it faces stiff competition from WordPress, Joomla's strong security, and business-friendly tools keep it relevant.

Developers and businesses appreciate the built-in SEO features and flexibility. For those curious about the future and specific user benefits, there's more to investigate.

Joomla's Current Market Share

In the current competitive landscape of content management systems, Joomla still holds a significant position with a market share of 1.77%, making it the fourth most widely deployed CMS globally. Even though WordPress dominates the field, Joomla manages to power over 3 million websites. Its relevance is particularly pronounced in the sector of business websites, where it accounts for 9% of the market. As a website owner, you might wonder what keeps Joomla competitive.

The answer often lies in its robust framework and the flexibility it offers through diverse Joomla templates, which cater to different web development needs. With approximately 6,000 extensions, Joomla provides significant customization options, making it suitable for users with some technical skills. You might be considering Joomla for your business website because of its stability and reliability. Version 3, the most stable version of Joomla, is utilized by 66% of Joomla websites, indicating a strong preference among users for its trusted performance.

This stable version guarantees that you can focus on your business goals without worrying about frequent updates or compatibility issues. The consistent search interest in "Joomla agency" highlights ongoing opportunities for developers, reassuring you that Joomla isn't just surviving but maintaining its relevance in the current online environment.

Key Features of Joomla

Joomla packs a punch with its key features that make it a formidable choice for web developers and businesses alike. As one of the versatile CMS platforms, Joomla offers advanced custom fields, giving you the power to manage tailored content and build complex applications without needing extensive coding skills. Its built-in multilingual support allows you to create sites in over 75 languages natively, making it perfect for reaching global audiences.

Joomla doesn't just stop at content management; it also includes powerful SEO features that help improve your site's visibility on search engines. This way, you can optimize your content for better online reach effortlessly. Joomla's advanced menu systems elevate site navigation, providing a more intuitive and organized browsing experience for your visitors. Concerned about security vulnerabilities? Fear not, as Joomla's dedicated security team constantly works on protecting your site and ensuring your data remains safe.

The platform's built-in privacy tools also help you comply with GDPR regulations, safeguarding user privacy. In addition, Joomla's ease of use means you can handle most tasks without a steep learning curve, making it an attractive option for both novices and seasoned developers. Compared to other CMS solutions, Drupal provides enhanced security options and features like page caching, making it a preferred choice for enterprise-level sites.

Joomla vs. WordPress

While WordPress may dominate the CMS market, Joomla still offers compelling features that make it a strong contender for certain projects. With WordPress holding a substantial 33.27% market share, Joomla's 1.77% might seem small. However, Joomla's strength lies in its appeal to medium-sized businesses, capturing 9% of business-oriented sites. This contrast in market share highlights each platform's focus; WordPress is often chosen for simpler projects and personal blogs, whereas Joomla shines with more complex, business-oriented needs.

When considering Joomla vs WordPress, security is a vital factor. Joomla is known for its robust security measures, making it a reliable choice for sites needing advanced protection. Though it offers fewer extensions than WordPress, Joomla's selection supports custom code and tailored solutions, important for developers seeking specific functionalities. Meanwhile, WordPress is celebrated for its user-friendly interface, enabling quick setup and easy use.

Joomla also boasts powerful multi-site capabilities, addressing the needs of users requiring more intricate site management. With the upcoming Joomla 4 aiming to improve compatibility with the latest technologies, Joomla remains a viable open-source alternative for those considering a shift from WordPress, especially in development-heavy projects. Open-source platforms like Joomla benefit from community-driven development, which ensures continuous enhancements and rapid security updates.

Advantages of Using Joomla

Changing focus from the comparison between Joomla and WordPress, let's investigate why Joomla stands out as a choice for many. Joomla is free, making it an economical choice for individuals and organizations looking to manage their online presence. As an open-source CMS, it gives you the freedom to modify and improve its capabilities, allowing for unparalleled customization options. With nearly 10,000 extensions available, you can tailor your site to meet your exact needs.

One of Joomla's standout features is its built-in multilingual support, enabling you to manage websites in over 75 languages without extra plugins. This makes it a fantastic choice if you wish to reach a global audience. Furthermore, robust security measures like two-factor authentication and regular updates help protect your site from potential security breaches, ensuring peace of mind.

Joomla's modular design is perfect for complex application development, allowing experienced professionals to create unique, flexible solutions tailored to specific business needs. This adaptability makes Joomla an excellent platform for website development when a simple template just won't do. With these advantages, Joomla continues to power over 3 million websites globally, proving its relevance and reliability in the current online environment. Additionally, Joomla's ability to enhance engagement and conversion rates through rapid content updates makes it a powerful tool for driving marketing success.

Security Improvements Over Time

Over the years, security has become a cornerstone of Joomla's development, with significant upgrades ensuring your website's protection. As an open-source and free platform, Joomla consistently implements security enhancements that make it a compelling choice among website builders. Regular updates have been a game-changer, with the security team actively addressing vulnerabilities and releasing timely patches.

This proactive approach has lowered Joomla's hacked site rate to an impressive 4.3% by 2018, especially when compared to WordPress's alarming 90%. Joomla users can benefit from a strong password policy which mandates complex passwords to reduce unauthorized access. Joomla's improved security measures include robust features like two-factor authentication, which strengthens user account protection.

The introduction of built-in SSL options further secures data transmission, reinforcing Joomla's reputation as a secure CMS. These advancements showcase Joomla's commitment to providing a reliable and secure environment for your website.

Joomla's Community Support

Joomla's emphasis on security is complemented by its lively and supportive community, which plays a crucial role in the platform's success. With a community of over 3.9 million users, Joomla thrives on collaboration and collective knowledge. This vast network actively supports the platform's ongoing development and offers a wealth of resources to assist users. From forums and documentation to tutorials, you'll find everything you need to navigate Joomla's flexibility and capabilities.

The community's dedication is evident in several key areas:

• Regular community-driven events: Events like JoomlaDays and webinars bring users and developers together, fostering innovation and sharing ideas.
• Dedicated volunteer team: A committed group of volunteers guarantees timely updates and security improvements, keeping the platform robust and reliable.
• Open-source principles: These principles drive the development of a diverse array of extensions and templates, improving Joomla's functionality and appeal.
• Extensive resources: The community provides thorough resources that make troubleshooting and learning straightforward.

Additionally, Joomla offers multi-language support that allows management of page variants for diverse audiences, enhancing accessibility and international reach.

Joomla's community not only supports users but also guarantees the platform remains flexible and secure. Their commitment to open-source principles and collaborative efforts continues to boost Joomla's appeal and adaptability, proving invaluable to both new and experienced users.

Potential Challenges for Joomla

Several challenges loom over Joomla's landscape, potentially affecting its future as a content management system. One of the primary concerns is the ongoing decline in search interest since 2016, which raises doubts about its viability and future investments. Joomla's flexibility, while a strength, can also be a double-edged sword, requiring more coding knowledge than platforms like WordPress. This complexity makes it less appealing to beginners who seek a user-friendly website building experience.

Security holes have also plagued Joomla in the past, particularly the critical SQL injection issue in 2015. Although improvements have been made, reducing the percentage of hacked sites considerably, the damage to its reputation lingers. Compounding these issues is Joomla's market positioning. It's often overshadowed by WordPress and Drupal, making it difficult to capture the public's attention and trust.

Furthermore, the lack of corporate backing limits Joomla's resources for development and marketing, affecting its ability to compete effectively. Without the same level of support as its competitors, Joomla struggles to maintain a strong presence in a crowded market. Since its transition to a leadership team model in 2009, Joomla has aimed to enhance project efficiency, but challenges remain. These factors create ongoing concerns for its future as a viable CMS option.

Who Should Use Joomla?

When you're deciding on a content management system, Joomla stands out for those who need extensive customization options. If you are a developer seeking control tailored to specific needs, Joomla's flexibility is ideal. Its open-source nature lets you create custom solutions without the hefty licensing fees tied to commercial CMS options. This makes it especially attractive for cost-conscious entities looking to optimize their budget.

Consider Joomla if you fall into one of these categories:

• Businesses with Global Reach: Take advantage of Joomla's built-in multilingual support to easily set up websites in multiple languages, no extra plugins needed.
• Organizations with Unique Requirements: Joomla's modular design is perfect for educational institutions and nonprofits needing custom solutions.
• Advanced Functionality Seekers: If your project demands complex features, Joomla's powerful forms extensions and robust directory capabilities won't disappoint.
• Developers Wanting Control: You can craft a site that meets your specific needs with the extensive customization Joomla offers.
• Implementing structured data can improve rankings and speed up indexing, providing an additional layer of SEO benefits for Joomla users.

Future Prospects for Joomla

Looking ahead, Joomla's future prospects remain promising thanks to its ongoing evolution and adaptability. With a stable demand for developers, Joomla continues to attract active users and projects. The upcoming release of Joomla 4 is set to boost the platform's capabilities, drawing in those looking for advanced functionalities. This might even sway some WordPress users seeking Joomla's unique benefits.

Its flexibility positions it as a middle ground between WordPress and Drupal, offering an appealing option for businesses and organizations that desire robust functionality without the complexity of enterprise-level solutions. Joomla's commitment to regular updates, including improved SEO features and performance upgrades, showcases its dedication to meeting modern business needs. These upgrades not only improve the platform's usability but also guarantee it stays competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

The community-driven approach further solidifies Joomla's foundation, allowing it to adapt to changing trends and user demands effectively. As the platform continues to evolve, it holds the potential for future growth. Businesses looking for a customizable, flexible solution will find Joomla an attractive option. With its strong community and ongoing improvements, Joomla stands ready to meet your business's ever-changing needs. Joomla could benefit from AI-powered analytics to provide insights into user interactions, enabling further optimization and content strategy enhancements.