How to Use Joomla – Setting Up a Site Quick

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Okay, so you’re still with me and want to learn how to use Joomla. This will be a very quick tutorial on how to get your first site set up. Now as I said in the beginning, it took me much longer than it should have to learn Joomla. Until I found this wicked online program that has tons of video tutorials and takes you from beginning to end in easy steps. Plus it includes over 500 Joomla templates and over 500 Joomla extensions. ‘Nuff said. Click here to find out about the product that taught me how easy Joomla is!

Okay, let’s continue on with how to use Joomla and especially I want to talk about how to use a Joomla template which has got to be one of the funnest and easiest ways to use Joomla I’ve found. Especially for non-techies. Now because Joomla uses PHP which is a scripting language that is used to produce dynamic web pages. It is often embedded within HTML. Originally PHP stood for Personal Home page but now it stands for Hypertext PreProcessor, whatever the hell that means. If you go with the original meaning you’ll have a pretty good idea of what it does. It helps create web pages.

PHP is important because it allows for dynamic content as mentioned earlier. HTML deals with static content. So if you have a current date script on your web page, that requires PHP because the date changes, it is dynamic. Anywho, this is not about PHP but about how to use Joomla. Suffice it to say that because Joomla uses PHP, you need to have a web server that can run PHP on its database. Most do. The best one that does so is HostGator.

Okay, so if you set yourself up with one of those hosts you’ll have everything you need. Next you’ll need to upload Joomla 1.5 to your server. This is a pretty easy process that you can access through your cPanel with Hostgator. Just click on the smiley Fantastico face and then click on Joomla and you’ll want to install a New Installation. How to use Joomla this way is really easy. If you’re getting lost, there are tons of Joomla tutorials out there to help you, and your hosting company will be happy to help too.

Okay let’s get to working with and installing Joomla templates. The course that is full of Joomla videos and Joomla training materials has over 500 Joomla templates for you to choose from. Plus they have a wicked Joomla template maker software if you want to play around with that too. Fort this blog on how to use Joomla, let’s pretend that you’re just choosing one of the 500 templates.

For argument’s sake, we’ll call this Joomla template that is now residing on your PC “Wicked Joomla”. Head into your Joomla administrative interface, go to Extensions -> Install/Uninstall -> Upload Package File (choose “Wicked Joomla” template from your PC) and then click on Upload File & Install. You’re golden, well done. A quick tip when learning how to use Joomla, I always keep my templates on my desktop for ease of access in these kinds of situations.

Okay so let’s carry on with how to use a Joomla template. To make sure that “Wicked Joomla” is your default Joomla template, go to Extensions -> Template Manager and make sure the button for “Wicked Joomla” or the template you want as the default is clicked. This is how to use Joomla, then you’ll want to make sure that you click on the default star to make sure you complete this task. Click here for the best video tutorials and templates on how to use Joomla.

Wow, I can’t believe it took me so long to walk you through how to use Joomla and we just go to installing the template as a default. Do yourself a favor and get the course and you’ll be up and running in a week. Next time, I’ll show you how to use Joomla plugins as well as how to change stuff on your Joomla template.

How to Make Your Own Joomla Template

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Most parts of creating an independent website using open source content management system like Joomla are complex instructions, but the fun part once you have installed everything you need to make it work is, you can then begin to customize your page template extensively. Sure, you can use the default settings, but who does that nowadays? Perhaps only a few percent does. Our generation is fond of exploring new possibilities and that includes managing websites so everyone takes advantage of free customization because it allows a person to express his or her individuality.

The good thing about developing websites using an open source content management system is you can apply a different template on each page of the same website. So, if you want your blog to contain your interest in travel, photography, and art, you may assign different template design on each category to give your readers the illusion of entering that distinct part of your life. Joomla, being a user-friendly publishing platform, develops its system to be highly convenient for all its users; thus it provides an extensive collection of applications in its Extension Directory where users can easily select and download their preferred template designs. But, you want to unleash your creativity, you can create you own Joomla template. The level of complexity of the instructions on how to make your own Joomla template vary on the version of Joomla you’re using so we will skip that part and instead discuss on other useful options of creating a Joomla template that work on all Joomla versions.

If you are using Joomla version 1.5 and do not intend to upgrade, the Joomla Template Toolbar developed by Antun Koncic is a stand-alone simple application that you may use. A newer version was released on the latter part of 2011, which supports Joomla versions 1.6, 1.7, and 2.5.

If you want more advanced web design solutions, I recommend Artisteer Web Design Revolution to help you create Joomla templates without the need to learn complex technical skills in HTML, CSS, and Dreamweaver.

Just follow these 9 easy steps:

1. Download Artisteer after you have finished all required Joomla installations.
2. Start Artisteer.
3. Click the Suggest Design button several times until you see a Joomla template idea you wish to use.
4. Adjust the design elements (fonts, background, layout) to your liking. such as layout,
5. Export your finished template to any folder on your computer.
6. Zip the files.
7. Go to Joomla Administrator and then click on Extension Manager.
8. Select Upload Package File and browse on the zip file on your computer.
9. Click Upload File & Install.

Artiseer has a trial version but you are restricted to save your project and only allowed to export it as a theme, HTML, or template.