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Absolute Beginners Guide to Joomla!</translate>}}
 
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=Absolute Beginners Guide to Joomla!=
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{{Portal:Beginners/Absolute Beginners Guide/<translate><!--T:6-->
Welcome to Joomla!, a leading open source Content Management System (CMS) platform.  Joomla! is a well-tested, extensible and effective tool supported by a very active and friendly community of developers and users.
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Do you want to get started with Joomla!, but you have no idea where to begin? If so, you have come to the right place. The '''Absolute Beginner's Guide to Joomla!''' is just for you.
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Before You Start Creating Your Joomla! Site</translate>}}
Although you could spend a lifetime learning Joomla!, if you master the basics you will be able to make a vary attractive and useful basic website in very little time and with no no special technical skills.
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== What is Joomla!?==
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Joomla! is software that lets you make and update web pages easily.
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You can think of a Joomla! website as bringing together three elements.
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* Your content, which is mainly stored in a database.
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* Your template, which controls the design and presentation of your content (such as fonts, colors and layout).
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* Joomla! which is the software that bring the content and the template together to produce webpages.
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== Installing Joomla! ==
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There are several ways to install Joomla!.
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First, make sure that you have an account on a web server. For most people this means signing up with a hosting company and purchasing a domain that will serve as your site's main address.
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*Option One: One Click Installs. Many hosting companies offer "instant" installation of Joomla!. Follow the instructions your host provides for a one click install.
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*Option Two: Conventional Installs. This method requires that you copy the Joomla! zip file to your hosting account, create a database, and then run the installation. Complete instructions can be found in the [http://help.joomla.org/content/category/48/268/302/ Joomla! Installation Manual]. This [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task167/joomlainstall.html video] takes you through the steps
 
 
 
 
 
For support with installation, you can ask questions in the [http://forum.joomla.org/viewforum.php?f=429 installation forum].
 
 
 
== Learn to Use Joomla! ==
 
 
 
Now that you have a working Joomla! site, you will want to start filling it with your own content and making it look just the way you want. Before doing that, it is a good idea to learn more about how Joomla! works. There are a number of very useful resources to help you with this.
 
 
 
One way is to learn by [http://community.joomla.org/august-2008/article/522-introductory-learning-joomla-using-sample-data.html working with the sample data].
 
 
 
There is also a very nice beginners visual guide to getting started with Joomla! 1.5 here: [http://help.joomla.org/files/VisualGuide15.pdf Learn Joomla! 1.5 Fast!] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/16125978/Visual-Guide-15 Scribd] (PDF 1.3Mb) written by Saurabh Bhide.
 
 
 
The [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task048/joomla_15_quickstart.pdf Joomla! v 1.5 Quick Start Guide] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299418/Joomla-15-Quickstart Scribd], written by [[GHOP students/Kevin Hayne|Kevin Hayne]]. As you read the guide, walk through the [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task167/index.html video accompaniment] created by [[GHOP students/Michael Casha|Michael Casha]].
 
 
 
 
 
The [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task020/Joomla!%20Core%20Features%20V1.2.pdf Joomla! Core Features Guide] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299291/Joomla-Core-Features-V1-2 scribd], written by [[GHOP students/James William Ramsay|James Ramsay]] describes the features are available in each download of Joomla!.
 
 
 
Joomla! works using various extensions, some that come with your installation and some that you add yourself. This document explains the [http://docs.joomla.org/Joomla!_Extensions_Defined types of Joomla! extensions].
 
 
 
For support as you are learning, ask questions in the [http://forum.joomla.org/viewforum.php?f=428 New to Joomla1/General Joomla! v 1.5 forum].
 
 
 
The [http://demo.joomla.org/ Joomla! Demo site] is a good place to try out many of these features if you have not yet done an installation.
 
 
 
== Start Creating Your Site ==
 
 
 
Now you're ready to start making your own articles, weblinks, contacts, banners, and newsfeeds.
 
 
 
Before you jump into doing this you may want to review [[Planning_Your_Web_site]]
 
 
 
One of the first tasks you may want to do is to modify one of the templates that comes with Joomla! so that it displays your site name and logo.
 
 
 
* How to [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task093/replace%20the%20logo%20image.odt replace the logo image in the Milkyway template] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299991/Joomla-v-1-5-How-to-replace-the-logo-image-in-the-Milkyway-template Scribd] by deckers.olivier
 
* [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task033/033%20-%20Create%20a%20document%20explaining%20how%20to%20modify%20the%20default%20Template.zip How to modify the default Template] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300042/Joomla-v-15-How-to-modify-the-default-Template Scribd] by [[GHOP students/Chad Windnagle|Chad Windnagle (drmmr763)]].
 
 
 
 
 
Finally, you may want to install one or more of the thousands of extensions to Joomla!
 
 
 
 
 
Read [http://docs.joomla.org/How_do_you_install_an_extension%3F How to install an extension.]
 
 
 
Please remember that all extensions are developed by independent developers. If you need help with a specific extension the best source will be that developer.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For help visit:
 
 
 
* [[jforum:428 New to Joomla!/General Joomla! v 1.5 Questions]]
 
* [[jforum:466 Joomla! v 1.5 Template Questions]]
 
* [[jforum:470 Joomla! v 1.5 Extension Questions]]
 
* [[jforum:262 Joomla! Extension Directory Questions]]
 
 
 
== Getting Help ==
 
 
 
The Joomla! forums are the among the busiest (and most friendly) support forums in the world, and they are a great place to get help and meet other Joomla! users.
 
 
 
* Please make certain you search, first, before posting a question. Nine times out of ten someone else had the same issue that you had. As it turns out, we all travel a similar path.
 
 
 
* Also, check the [[FAQs]]. Being responsible to search and review existing material keeps the questions at a manageable level for the volunteers who help.
 
 
 
* Make sure you are posting in the right forum for your topic.
 
 
 
* Be clear and specific in your request for help. Entries like “Help! It doesn’t work!” tend to get ignored. Try to explain everything that led up to your problem. Try to explain what your problem is. Be clear about what you want to happen. And, thank those who bother to help!
 
 
 
* Use the [http://forum.joomla.org/viewtopic.php?f=428&t=272481 Forum Post Assistant] to help you provide more information and better explain your problem.
 
 
 
* If your question/problem was solved, mark your thread as solved by editing the first post you made in that thread and changing the topic icon to the green check mark with a circle. You can also add [Solved] to your topic title. By doing this you allow other members who are doing searches to easily differentiate between solved and unsolved issues. This also saves the volunteers' time of having to open up solved topics.
 
 
 
* As soon as you know things, start answering questions. Answering questions is one of the best ways to learn.
 
 
 
= Selected Advanced Beginner and Intermediate Topics =
 
 
 
The remainder of this document briefly covers some slightly more advanced topics web masters.
 
 
 
 
 
== Learn to Backup and Restore ==
 
 
 
Learn to backup your Joomla! database. Learn to restore your Joomla! database. Frequent backups are the best way to make sure you can recover if your site has a problem. This video entitled [http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2742157386318372444 How to backup and restore a Joomla! database using phpMyAdmin] by kristofdb.
 
 
 
== How to Recover Your System Administration Password ==
 
 
 
Watch this video by [[GHOP students/James William Ramsay|James Ramsey]] entitled [http://www.veoh.com/videos/v1818492yRNhWTdg How to Recover your Administrator Password using phpMyAdmin].
 
 
 
== Exploring the possibilities with Joomla! v 1.5 Core ==
 
 
 
* Learn what is possible given the core [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task028/Joomla%20Menu%20Types.zip Joomla! Menu Types] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299861/Joomla-v-15-Menu-Types Scribd] by xalnx;
 
* Understand all the options available when you create a [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task029/Issue_29_Joomla_Category_Blog_Layout_document_v2.zip Joomla! Category Blog Layout] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299872/Joomla-v-15-Category-Blog-Layout Scribd] by hashani;
 
* Watch this video on [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task055/Joomla!_GHOP_Issue_055.mov How to embed media within a Joomla! article] by mdranta;
 
* Explore the possibilities with [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task066/MediaManager.odt Using the media manager] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299878/Joomla-v-15-Using-the-Media-Manager Scribd] by SharifOerton;
 
* Learn [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task026/Rev10-Final.zip How to Use Joomla!'s Register to Read More] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299883/Joomla-v-15-Register-to-Read-More Scribd] by drmmr763;
 
* Make certain to learn how to [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task104/How_to_create_a_custom_HTML_module.zip Create a custom HTML module] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299886/Joomla-v-15-How-to-create-a-custom-HTML-module- Scribd] by blitzprog;
 
* Learn how to [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task105/using_media_manager.zip Use the Media Manager to Offer File Downloads] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299888/Joomla-v-15-Using-Media-Manager-for-File-Downloads Scribd] by fervidfrogger;
 
* Learn how to create a simple [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task106/Joomla%20Image%20Gallery.odt Image Gallery using the Media Manager] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299943/Joomla-v-15-Image-Gallery-using-the-Media-Manager Scribd] by SharifOerton;
 
* Learn how to use core [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task107/BDRev5.zip Contact functions to create a services or resources directory] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299950/Joomla-v-15-Contact-functions-to-create-a-services-or-resources-directory Scribd] by [[GHOP students/Chad Windnagle|Chad Windnagle (drmmr763)]];
 
* Take time to explore how to use the [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task108/Newsflashtutorialfinal.odt News flash module to display random or rotating selection of texts] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299953/Joomla-v-15-News-flash-module-to-display-random-or-rotating-selection-of-texts Scribd] by tj.ferrell;
 
* Take advantage of the [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task109/task%20109.pdf Banners component and module to feature different parts of a website] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299956/Joomla-v-15-Banners-component-and-module-to-feature-different-parts-of-a-website Scribd] by [[GHOP students/Branko Pajic|Branko Pajic (balvanboy)]];
 
* Read through the [[Help screens]] to find out about all options available at the Back-end
 
 
 
== Using Mootools ==
 
 
 
There are many great things you can do with Mootools, included in Joomla! v 1.5. Check out these resources to learn how:
 
 
 
* [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task083/Mootools%20Tips%20and%20Tricks.odt Mootools Tips and Tricks] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299965/Joomla-v-15-Mootools-Tips-and-Tricks Scribd] by [[GHOP students/Zach Kanzler|Zach Kanzler (theY4Kman)]];
 
* How to include [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task084/joomla.odt Squeezebox in your Joomla! Website] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299973/Joomla-v-15-Squeezebox-in-your-Joomla-Website Scribd] by ddcc;
 
* How to include [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task085/draft3HowtoincludeSlimboxinJoomla.odt Slimbox in your Joomla! Website] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299983/Joomla-v-15-Slimbox-in-your-Joomla-Website Scribd] by dsadik.
 
 
 
= Learn the Basics for Joomla! Templating =
 
 
 
For many, there are only a few changes desired with the default Joomla! v 1.5 Template to make it work for their needs. These resources will help you learn how to make minor changes.
 
 
 
== Minor Default Template Changes ==
 
* How to [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task093/replace%20the%20logo%20image.odt replace the logo image in the Milkyway template] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2299991/Joomla-v-1-5-How-to-replace-the-logo-image-in-the-Milkyway-template Scribd] by deckers.olivier
 
* [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task033/033%20-%20Create%20a%20document%20explaining%20how%20to%20modify%20the%20default%20Template.zip How to modify the default Template] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300042/Joomla-v-15-How-to-modify-the-default-Template Scribd] by [[GHOP students/Chad Windnagle|Chad Windnagle (drmmr763)]].
 
 
 
== Using CSS Class Suffixes ==
 
There are other simple things you can do with templates to achieve the look you need. These simple tutorials could be very helpful.
 
 
 
* [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task057/Joomla%20Class%20Suffix%20Guides.pdf How to use CSS class suffixes in Joomla! 1.5] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300098/Joomla-v-15-How-to-use-CSS-class-suffixes Scribd] by takercena.
 
 
 
== Getting Rid of Tables ==
 
* If you do not like tables in your Joomla! output, please see [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task059/Getting_Started_with_Template_Overrides_v2.tar.gz Getting Started with Template Overrides] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300107/Joomla-v-1-5-Getting-Started-with-Template-Overrides Scribd] by [[GHOP students/Wickrama Arachchi Vithanage Hashani Maduwanthi Weerarathna|Wickrama Arachchi Vithanage Hashani Maduwanthi Weerarathna (Hashani)]]
 
 
 
== Adding Javascript to your Template ==
 
* You might be interested in [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task060/task60.odt How to add JavaScript to a Joomla template] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300110/Joomla-v-15-Adding-Javascript-to-your-Template Scribd] by  [[GHOP students/Anner J. Bonilla|Anner J. Bonilla (annerajb)]].
 
 
 
== Troubleshooting a Template Installation ==
 
If you are having trouble installing a template, see [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task061/Rev9.zip How to resolve problems with a template installation] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300161/Joomla-v-1-5-Template-Installation-Troubleshooting-Manual Scribd] by [[GHOP students/Chad Windnagle|Chad Windnagle (drmmr763)]].
 
 
 
=== Questions? ===
 
 
 
* [http://forum.joomla.org/viewforum.php?f=466 Joomla! v 1.5 Template Questions]
 
 
 
= Address Search Engine Optimization =
 
Search Engine Optimization is the practice of doing whatever is needed to help make your Web site rank higher in return results for a search engine. For some, this is very important aspect of attracting visitors to their site. Most experts agree, however, that the single best way to improve your chance of getting attention on the Internet is to provide good content on a regular basis. There are several things that you can do using core functionality to make your Joomla! Web site more SEO friendly. Here are some important areas to focus.
 
 
 
== Configure and troubleshoot SEF URLs ==
 
* [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task110/GHOPC_J110_SEFrevised-1.odt Joomla! v 1.5 SEF URLs] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300167/Joomla-v-15-Configure-and-troubleshoot-SEF-URLs Scribd] by [[GHOP students/Benjamin Hättasch|Benjamin Hättasch]].
 
* If you want to use IIS and Joomla!'s SEF URLs, [http://docs.joomla.org/IIS6_and_SEF_URLs_using_Joomla_1.5x do this first], then use the previous document.
 
 
 
== Remove WWW from your domain name ==
 
* [http://help.joomla.org/ghop/feb2008/task111/remove_www_from_domain6.odt How to remove "WWW" from your Domain Name and Why it matters] [http://www.scribd.com/doc/2300173/Joomla-How-to-Remove-www-from-domain-and-why-it-matters Scribd] by theoclymenus
 
 
 
== Create a Custom 404 Page ==
 
* [http://docs.joomla.org/Custom_error_pages Custom Error Pages, including 404's]
 
 
 
== SEO Questions ==
 
Questions on these topics should be asked in the [http://forum.joomla.org/viewforum.php?f=431 Joomla! v 1.5 Administration Forum].
 
 
 
=== SEO and SEF URL Questions? ===
 
 
 
* [http://forum.joomla.org/viewforum.php?f=431 Joomla! v 1.5 Administration Forum]
 
 
 
= Converting an Existing Website to Joomla! =
 
 
 
Check out the [[How to Convert an existing Web site to a Joomla! Web site]] guide for great step by step instructions.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
= Thanks to our GHOP Contestants! =
 
 
 
Most of this material was written by Joomla! Google Highly Open Participation Contestants. This work is of the highest quality and the students were inspiring to work with. Sincere thanks to all of our participants for sharing their gifts with the Joomla! community. You guys rock!
 
 
 
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[[Category:Landing Pages]]
 
[[Category:Landing Pages]]
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[[Category:Joomla! user profiles]]
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[[Category:Beginners]]
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Absolute Beginners Guide to Joomla!


As someone who has not used Joomla! before, you need to know how to get started. Maybe you have a friend or a neighbour who uses Joomla! and you want a Joomla! web site of your very own. Maybe you have a small business or a club or a community that needs a web presence, and you want to use Joomla! for that purpose. Maybe you are a seasoned Information Technology professional, but you have never used Joomla! before. If so, you are just starting a very enjoyable journey and we warmly welcome you to Joomla!

Although you could spend a lifetime learning Joomla!, if you master the basics you will be able to make a very attractive and useful basic website in a very short time with no special technical skills. Do you want to get started with Joomla!, but you have no idea where to begin? If so, you have come to the right place.

Installing Joomla!

Before you can begin using Joomla! you will need a working installation of Joomla! If you want your site to be available on the Internet, make sure that you have an account on a web server. For most people this means signing up with a hosting company and purchasing a domain that will serve as your site's main address.

  • Want to build a free Joomla! website? launch.joomla.org is a Joomla! service that allows you to start, build and maintain a completely free website on a joomla.com subdomain for an unlimited time. The site building software features all of the Joomla! CMS core functionalities that make building a website easy and flexible.
  • Already have a hosting company? Joomla! is offered by most hosting companies under "One Click Installs" (also called Auto Installers) for their customers. The "One Click Install" method offers an "instant" installation of Joomla! which is quick and easy. Follow the instructions your host provides.
  • Use the conventional method of installation. This requires you to copy the Joomla! zip file to your hosting account, unzip, create a database, and then run the installation. Complete instructions can be found at Installing Joomla. Further information can be found at Joomla! Installation Resources.
  • Install Joomla! on your own computer (without your site appearing on the Internet), you can install it using the XAMPP package. Install XAMPP and then use the "conventional method" to get your Joomla! test site working.
Learn to Use Joomla!

Once you have a working Joomla! site, you will want to start filling it with your own content and making it look just the way you want. Before doing that, it is a good idea to learn more about how to work with Joomla!. There are a number of very useful resources to help you with this.

  • Learn Joomla! terminology by browsing the Glossary.
  • Getting Started with Joomla! is a tutorial series with hands-on instructions to introduce Joomla! to people who have not previously used it. It explains techniques step by step using screenshots.

Getting Support


Before You Start Creating Your Joomla! Site

Before you jump into making your own articles, categories, tags, web links, contacts, banners, and news feeds, you may want to review Planning Your Web site. There are many aspects of creating a web site to consider. For example, deciding if you want to enable Search Engine Friendly URLs and how enabling or disabling Search Engine Friendly URLs later will destroy the rankings your pages acquired with search engines such as Google, Bing and Yahoo.

Perhaps you already have a website. Then you should read Converting an existing website to a Joomla! website and learn more about converting your static website.

One of the first tasks you may want to do is to modify one of the templates that comes with Joomla! so that it displays your site name and logo.

Finally, you may want to install one or more of the thousands of extensions to Joomla!. Most Joomla! extensions are listed in the official Joomla! Extensions Directory (JED). Once you've found an extension to install, you'll have to follow the procedure for installing a Joomla! Extension.

Please remember that all extensions are developed by independent developers. If you need help with a specific extension the best source will be that developer.

Getting Help in the Joomla! Forums

The Joomla! forums are the among the busiest (and most friendly) support forums in the world, and they are a great place to get help and meet other Joomla! users.

  • Before posting, check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on the docs wiki.
  • Please make certain you search the Forum post first before posting a question. Nine times out of ten someone else had the same issue that you had.
  • Make sure you are posting in the right forum for your topic.
  • Be clear and specific in your request for help. Entries like “Help! It doesn’t work!” tend to get ignored. Try to explain everything that led up to your problem. Try to explain what your problem is. Be clear about what you want to happen. And, thank those who bother to help!
  • Use the Forum Post Assistant to help you provide more information and better explain your problem.
  • If your question/problem was solved, mark your thread as solved by editing the first post you made in that thread and changing the topic icon to the green check mark with a circle. You can also add [Solved] to your topic title. By doing this you allow other members who are doing searches to easily differentiate between solved and unsolved issues. This also saves the volunteers' time of having to open up solved topics.
  • As soon as you know things, start answering questions. Answering questions is one of the best ways to learn.
  • If someone helps you, say thank you and pay it forward by answering a question yourself.

Here are some quick links to specific Joomla 3.x forums commonly used.

Keep Your Joomla! Site Secure

Security is always a big concern on the web. Make sure you are using best security practices. The basic techniques on the Security Check List will get your site off to a good start in terms of security. Here is a list of more information you should read.

Joomla Security Forums

Joomla Security Feeds



Understand How Joomla! Works

You might want to learn how Joomla! is built and how its features work together.

In short, Joomla! is composed of a Framework and extensions. There are several types of extensions, each capable of performing specific tasks. Some extensions are developed as part of the Joomla! project and come with your installation. If you want to add features to your site, you can install more extensions.

You can compare this to a computer operating system, like Microsoft Windows or Linux. You don't directly use the operating system (Joomla!); you use applications (extensions) to carry out tasks. Some applications (extensions) are immediately available on your system, but can install and remove additional applications (extensions) at any time.

The Joomla! Core Features Guide scribd, written by James Ramsay describes the features (mostly the extensions) available in each download of Joomla!.