Wordpress VS Joomla

WordPress vs. Joomla: What’s Right for My Site?

by Volume Nine

Both WordPress and Joomla are free content management systems (CMS) that can be used to build gorgeous and functional websites. While WordPress is the most popular CMS, Joomla comes in at a close second which sparks a debate on which is truly better (spoiler alert: it depends).

As the top CMS options for do-it-yourselfers, both systems offer different advantages for certain types of individuals, businesses, and organizations. So which one is right for your site? To decide, we’ll compare Joomla VS WordPress on SEO benefits as well as overall functionality.

First, these are the main features Joomla and WordPress have in common:

  • No hosting fees – software installs on your own server
  • Pre-built themes or templates easily change the site’s appearance
  • Website functionality expands with plug-ins
  • Active community contributes by designing, developing and troubleshooting

Now, the WordPress– Joomla matchup begins.

What is WordPress? Is It Right for Your Site?

WordPress

WordPress was originally created in 2003 as a simple blogging site. Over the years, it has become the go-to platform for beginners who want to create free and simple, yet elegant websites.

This is the key benefit of WordPress. Anyone who has just a little modern Internet savvy can dive into the WordPress CMS and start building and filling pages while customizing the look with thousands of preconfigured themes.

A Brief Summary (Source: PCTechMag Infographic)

  • Cost of Ownership: Free
  • Popularity: 140 Million Downloads
  • Number of Free Themes: 2,000+
  • Ideal Applications: Content-focused websites including blogs, small- to medium-sized business/personal websites, and other informational websites
  • Big-Time Users: New York Times, Forbes, Mercedes-Benz, CNN, Vogue

In addition to providing an optimal starting point for amateur web designers, WordPress also gives you powerful tools to perform effective SEO through content publishing. Your WordPress blog is built right into your WordPress website, and various SEO plug-ins (such as the widely popular Yoast plug-in) can help you check off the essential SEO requirements for every web page and blog post you write.

What is Joomla? Is It Right for Your Site?

Released in 2005, Joomla has always been geared toward the more advanced do-it-yourselfer. Complete beginners will likely run into roadblocks, while webmasters with solid programming experience will appreciate Joomla for its user-friendly interface combined with wide-ranging customization options and advanced software architecture.

A Brief Summary 

  • Cost of Ownership: Free
  • Popularity: 30 Million Downloads
  • Number of Free Themes: 900+
  • Best Used For: E-commerce stores, membership sites, booking sites, social networking sites, and blogs
  • Big-Time Users: eBay, Barnes & Noble, Ikea, Holiday Inn

One of the key benefits of Joomla is the module customization option. With highly customizable site modules (and extensions), Joomla can support almost any functionality you need. This makes it perfect for advanced websites, such as photo galleries, e-commerce sites that require shopping carts and payment processing, or real estate sites with property listings.

Joomla’s SEO tools aren’t quite as beginner-friendly as those in WordPress, so you’ll need to know the technical side of SEO in order to take full advantage of your SEO opportunities within this CMS. Also, Joomla pages generally load faster than WordPress pages, so if your SEO strategy has a serious need for speed, Joomla may be the better option.

WordPress vs. Joomla: In Summary

If you have limited technical knowledge of web design and/or SEO, WordPress is the CMS for you.

If you have experience with website programming and the nitty gritty of SEO, consider Joomla, but don’t take WordPress off the table. To choose between the two, pin down your goals for your new website and go with the platform that best accommodates both your current and future aspirations.

Joomla vs. WordPress, WordPress vs. Joomla…What to Choose?

Need help deciding? Shoot a message to Volume Nine describing your dilemma, and our SEO experts will help you make the right choice in your Joomla vs. WordPress SEO decision. For the complete support package, you may also consider our Jumpstart SEO Program to kick off your website with an optimized bang.