Advanced Websites (Joomla CMS) Install & Setup

Question: Do you have requirements that exceed the standard presentation website?
Question: Do you require more functionality from your website to to keep your growing business running smoothly?
Question: Do you need specialised programming for your site that is unique to your business needs?

Enough with the questions! It sounds like you need to talk to an experienced web developer to find a solution, and it sounds like you need an advanced website created so read on...

D.P. Web Design uses Joomla as the core system for your site.

What is Joomla?

Joomla is a highly advanced and versatile content management system (CMS). What does this mean in layman's terms? Simply, it's the shell of a website and you add in the content. In your case the content is your business information. This platform is perfect if your website will contain a large amount of content and menus that you would like to edit and maintain yourself without paying designer for updating fees. View Joomla tutorials here!

Q: What does CMS mean
A: Content Management System 

Joomla uses "Extensions, Components & Modules" for advanced functionality on your site.

What are Extensions, Components & Modules?

Joomla also offers almost 9,000 extension, these extensions either free or commercial enhance your site in many ways best suited to your business needs. In fact, this site itself is built using the Joomla system with various plug-ins handling functions like:

  • member & client areas
  • automatic invoicing systems
  • online credit card payments
  • file download/upload handlers
  • portfolio presentations
  • photo & image album & slide show presentations
  • support ticketing
  • calendar systems
  • shopping carts
  • find more extensions here - www.extensions.joomla.org

What Goes Into an Advance Website? (Workflow Process for a Joomla Site)

Joomla Based Website (Advanced CMS) Install, Setup & Configuration

You may ask yourself, "Why so many hours to set up a website?".

D.P. Web Design doesn't "half do" a website! If you want to get the most out of your website then the following workflow process is important to achieve a highly professional looking and functional site.

* = optional in development

  1. Purchase & setup up domain name (DNS)
  2. Setup domain on server
  3. Create 2 standard email accounts
  4. Install Joomla (latest Version) on server
  5. Install & configure key enhancements (Plug-ins) for Joomla CMS
  6. Add client & Admin user accounts
  7. Add Meta Information (Description & Keywords) researched from client & Google Keyword Tools
  8. Add & Modify "Template" or "Original Design" site layout
    1. Template (most affordable)- A Client has either a short list of templates selected by the designer based on the clients suggestions or can look through a large database of templates. The template will be modified to the clients request
      • Adding company logo
      • Edit Cascading Style Sheets (CSS – fonts, colours & layout) to suit your business identity
      • Edit template graphical colours, images, borders, backing, panels & more in theme with clients company colours
    2. Original Design (more unique) - Original Web Design Workflow & Process
      • (Step 1) Original Web Design Definition: It is best if the client discusses their ideas with the designer to save confusion with future website design concepts.
      • (Step 2) Designer Description: Ideas from step 1 will be suggested by the designer to give the client an idea of what to expect visually.
      • (Step 3) The Visual Design: One (1) concepts will be created from the client's suggestion taken from the designer description (step 2), then emailed in a static JPEG image format the client's review.
      • (Step 4) Revisions: Revisions suggested by the client will be made to finalise your site design. There are on average 3 revisions (more revisions may incur extra cost)
      • (Step 5) Final Design: final original design will be sliced & integrated into a functioning website.
  9. *Adding Home Page Scrolling/fading/flipping/animated style banner (visual site summary)
  10. Adding page information to site
  11. Adding menu items to site & linking to articles (page information)
  12. Adding & modifying page images or photo albums using Photoshop
  13. Setup simple contact form “Contact Us” page
    1. form data to be sent to clients email account
    2. contact page showing Google map of business location
  14. Adding & configuring + visually editing special site component/s requested by client
    1. Shopping Cart
    2. Image Gallery
    3. Calendar
    4. Download Manager
    5. Testimonials banners/scrollers
    6. Members/staff access levels
  15. Basic SEO on site
    1. alt tags for images (correct naming for images searching)
    2. page titles (well described & keyword filled)
    3. heading, subheading & content configuration
    4. meta tags (noted above in point 7)
    5. SEF URLs (Search Engine Friendly URLs)
      REPLACES THIS: index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11&Itemid=5
      WITH THIS: products/best-product-name/price
      in the address bar, this helps strengthen searches through search engines.
    6. *setting up Google accounts for business
      1. adding Free SEO script (Google Analytics, measures traffic to site)
      2. adding company to Google Location & Business
  16. Testing site in various browsers
    1. Internet Explorer
    2. Mozilla Firefox
    3. Google Chrome
    4. Safari
    5. Opera
  17. Testing site using various screen resolutions
  18. Testing site using various operating systems
    1. Windows XP
    2. Windows 7
    3. MAC
  19. Submitting site to main (Organic) search engines
  20. *Train and assist client in the back-end workings of the CMS system + access to database of online tutorials
    1. adding menu items
    2. adding & editing articles
    3. adding & editing modules
    4. editing specific requested components
    5. Shopping Cart
    6. Image Gallery
    7. Calendar
    8. Download Manager
    9. Testimonials banners/scrollers
    10. Members/staff access levels

* to reduce hours & price talk to your designer for a unique workflow process

Did You Know?: If you are good with computers and are a quick study then you can save yourself money with Joomla sites. The more tasks a client can complete during the development of their site, the less hours the designer has to invest, therefore saving you money!

Examples of Joomla Websites (by D.P. Web Design)

These two examples show Joomla sites at both ends of the scale, from the simplest (brochure display style website) to high end multi function client maintained site.

  • www.giulianispizzeria.com.au (Giuliani’s Pizzeria) - Simple Site
    This site is one of the more simpler builds with the only functionality consisting of a simple contact form & a user review form & home page scroller.
  • www.purelighting.com.au (Pure Lighting) - Advanced Functionality Site
    This site is a high functionality Joomla site consisting of E-Commerce shopping cart, advanced forms, high end template & customising + more.
NOTE: Joomla has an array of extensions that can add unique features to your site. Discuss your ideas with D.P. Web Design for extension integration.

View a List of Joomla Template Providers

Out of the box Joomla is a basic looking design, so if you decide to build your site on this format you are best off either purchasing or using free templates to enhance your site's appearance. From personal experience if you want a professional looking web site then spend the money on a professionally designed template.

HERE ARE SOME SITE OFFERING QUALITY TEMPLATES (IN ORDER OF PERSONAL PREFERENCE):


    Pure Joomla Demo Site
    Designer Note: These templates are detailed, intricate and cleverly constructed with multiple variations to a single template.

    Pure Joomla Demo Site
    Designer Note: These templates are clean, soft & cleverly constructed with multiple variations to a single template. From a designer perspective they are quick and easy to edit (less time, save money)

    Pure Joomla Demo Site
    Designer Note: These templates are visually well presented and have all the bells & whistles using cleaver scripting)

    Pure Joomla Demo Site
    Designer Notes:     These templates are perfect for corporate styles websites that load quickly. They are clean & clinical with only a few colour variations within each style.

    More Template Providers

  • External Website www.shape5.com/demo
  • External Website demo.joomlabamboo.com
  • External Website demo.icetheme.com
  • External Website demo.gavick.com
  • External Website demo.joomla51.com
  • External Website www.templatemonster.com/joomla-templates.php
  • Designer Notes: There is a lot of templates on offer here but the majority are of a basic design and sometimes have integration problems with certain Joomla components & modules. I have found these templates most useful for quick & simple sites that require the client editing features of Joomla.
VIEW ALL TEMPLATES FROM ALL DEVELOPERS:

Average Price: $2,464 *

18 to 48 hours on average ($1,584 - $4,224) - Hours have been source from previous jobs (lowest to highest) "Average Price" is calculated by the medium of these and should NOT be used as a set price (D.P. Web Design works from and rate of $88 per/hr, GST inclusive).

* pricing includes GST and can vary depending on clients specific requirements, contact us for more details. Pricing does not include Hosting or Domain Name purchase.
Web Designer Comment: If you want to have full control of your site and cut down ongoing updating cost then this system is the best for you!

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Joomla Tuition

We also do Joomla tuition, either in person & via phone, skype, MSN or Screen Sharing.

D.P. Web Design can edit, fix & install plug-ins / software add-ons to existing Joomla sites that were not developed by us.