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How to build a web site using Joomla!

Written by admin

Joomla! is one of the most powerful CMS (Content Management Systems) that has been released the latest years. Using a CMS, you can easily create a professional looking web site in no time.

In this guide we will built a web site on our LAN. After having finished you can easily transfer your web site on an internet web server. Designing and developing it on your PC, gives you more flexibility and helps you save more time.

Step 1 – Apache, php & mysql

First of all you will need an Apache Server with PHP and Mysql support. Normally you should install those services partially, but it would be much easier to install a program called wamp, that will run all these services automatically. You can download wamp from here.

After having installed wamp on your PC, run your firefox or internet explorer and type http://localhost ! The following page should open:

Step 2 – Database creation

On the left down corner of the page, under “Your aliases” title, click on the phpmyadmin link. Phpmyadmin is a powerful web application that enables you to administrate your mysql databases. Joomla! needs a mysql database to store its data etc., so we will have to create one ! On the “Create new database” field in the center column enter “Joomla” and hit the “Create” button.

Our database is ready for use !

Step 3 – Downloading and installing Joomla!

Download Joomla! version 1.0.13 from their official website and extract the files in the “C:\wamp\www\” folder or in “C:\wamp\www\project” (we will use the second folder for our example) and open http://localhost/project/ from your web browser.

The following screen should appear:

Hit on the Next button and a “GNU/GPL License” screen will appear, hit next once again and start with the first step of the installation. Fill the fields as shown on the below screenshot. Attention ! Leave the password field empty, since the root user has no password by default on the wamp server.

If everything is done correctly you will be asked to enter your web site name on the second step.

On the third step just enter your e-mail address and the admin password. Do not change the File and directory permissions unless you know what you’re doing.

The installation should be finished by now. The only thing you have to do is to completely erase the “Installation” folder and enter the administration page to create your articles etc.

Step 4 – Changing your site template

To give a professional look to your web site you will have to find a professional looking template. Designing one by yourself is not suggested, since it’s a very difficult process for a beginner (nevertheless, a guide on how to create a Joomla! template will be added soon).

First of all you will have to find a well designed template. You will find many free templates on the web, but if you really need something special, I would suggest you to buy one from rockettheme.com or gavick.com.

Once you ‘ve downloaded the desired template, you will have to install it on your web site through the Joomla! admin panel. As shown on the image below.

Hit the Search button, find your template’s file and upload it by clicking on the “Upload File and Install” button.

Once the Joomla! template is installed go to the Template Manager of your admin panel and choose “Site Templates” as shown on the screenshot below.

In the template manager you can manage the installed templates. The newly installed template can be found there. You will have to enable it by choosing it and hitting the “Default” button.

Your new layout is almost ready. The only thing left now is to change some images on your new template. You will have to design your personal logo etc. You can find many tutorials if you search on google on “How to design a logo using photoshop”. Give it a shot !

Step 5 – Adding Sections and Categories

To create a nice web site you have to organize your sections and categories on a handy way that will enable the users to find what they need. You can add as many sections and categories you want from the Section Manager and the Category Manager in the administration panel. I strongly believe that it is not something special and difficult to do but for those who will encounter problems I have found some useful resources.

Building and Managing Joomla Web Site

Adding Sections and Categories

Step 6 – Creating your menu

Joomla! gives you the opportunity to create four kinds of menus. Mainmenu, othermenu, topmenu, usermenu. It depends on your template which menu you will modify and use.

The creation of specific menu items can be a little bit complicated for newbies on Joomla! In the official site you can find many relative articles that will guide you on how to create and modify various kinds of menus. We suggest the following

http://help.joomla.org/component/option,com_wrapper/Itemid,253/

Adding a Menu Entry for a Single Article

Adding a Menu Entry for a List

Adding a Menu Entry for a Component

Removing Menu Entries

Step 7 – Launching the Site !

Your web site should be ready by now ! The only thing that is left now is to purchase a web server and upload your page there. Of course we suggest you Dreamhost !

Have fun!

Please do not use the comments function to ask for help! If you need help, please use our guides forum .

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Cherlize said:

	Nothing works out, it is too complicated......
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September 17, 2008
Votes: +0

g0dfather said:

	Tell us what seems complicated to you and we'll help you ! It would be better to start a new topic on our forums and discuss there about it..
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September 17, 2008
Votes: +0

satish said:

	this is not that much easy to learn if we follow ur way.please provide efficient way to learn joomla.
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October 13, 2008
Votes: -1

axel said:

	This guide is just a quick start how to. The efficient way is to start reading Joomla Installation Manual Joomla Beginners
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October 13, 2008
Votes: +2

Noor said:

	i am learning the web development and design at these days , and i developed small system by PHP an AJAX but i need to design it how i can do that by joomla , the system is ready but it need to design how i can enter it to joomla and design it ??? i was download joomla 1.5.7 Thank you With Regards Noor
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October 15, 2008
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godfather said:

	@Noor Joomla! isnt what you need.. you 'll have to design your system by yourself.. Joomla! is a full content management system and the only think you can do about it is develop seperate modules and components.. For more info check the official website..
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October 15, 2008
Votes: +0

travis said:

	What more can i say, i was wandering all about trying to find how i can incorporate my researched knowledge on Joomla and here you bring me the resource that i just need, i dont know how i can thank you other than saying it again, Thanks alot man
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October 20, 2008
Votes: +1

sinchan said:

	can i build multiple sites using joomla templates and upload them using cuteftp. i am going to start my own webdesign company
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December 24, 2008
Votes: +3

HELP ! said:

	ehh, this worked perfectly on my other pc, but that pc crashed, now i got a new pc, almostly fully updated, soo i downloaded wamp, started everything, Apache, sql and PHP, but when i got to http://localhost/ nothing work :S, any idea?, do i need an update?, config something, help me
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January 10, 2009
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axel said:

	First check if all services are up. Just in case restart all services. Instead of http://localhost you can also try http://127.0.0.1
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January 10, 2009
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kp said:

	Hey hi...it all worked, it was of grt hlp. Just guide me how can I modify the Joomla template. I have selected a template but need some modifications, in which file can i see the code and modify it with ease.
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January 22, 2009
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axel said:

	In the joomla directory there is a folder named templates. Inside there should be a folder with your template's name. All images and code is in there.
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January 22, 2009
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Paul Gillett said:

	I've been looking around for a REALLY simple explination on how to get joomla running. This was by far the clearest explination. All the others omitted the apache/sql step 1 part. Which way complicated things. Thanks again, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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January 29, 2009
Votes: +0

TimG said:

Thanks for the great guide on the "localhost" thing-a-ma-bobber. It took me three tries to get it up and running and it was only because......almost too embarassed to say...... I was not entering "admin" as the user name. I kept trying to enter my email address and other variants, thinking I had boned it up, I uninstalled and re-did it twice before I had the lightbulb go off over my head and I tried "admin" as the user name.

This is going to be great, I have been wanting a good way to edit templates to create one I could use and this will be the ticket. But for a middle-aged out of work construction guy trying to figure out how to make a go of it on the net, it ain't always easy.

You guys are great, keep it up.
timtipper
http://timtipper.blogspot.com

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February 09, 2009
Votes: +0

TimG said:

	P.S. I've started the bloghttp://timtipper.blogspot.comjust as a way to keep a diary of a nearly brain dead guys' attempt at starting a web based business. More for the practice than anything but i linked to this article because it was so helpful to me. Thanks again! TimTipper
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February 09, 2009
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axel said:

	Tim it happens many times the solution to be in front of my eyes and we just can't see it. It happens to anyone. I am glad this guide helped you. Good luck with your web business!
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February 09, 2009
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Subsee said:

	I have done everything above but I can't install new templates, please help!
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March 31, 2009
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axel said:

	Hi Subsee. I suppose you have installed Joomla 1.5. Check this: How to install Joomla templates
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March 31, 2009
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Subsee said:

	When I try to install templates from my desktop it does nothing, am I doing something wrong?
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March 31, 2009
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axel said:

	Are you sure they are for your joomla version? There are different templates for version 1.0 and 1.5
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March 31, 2009
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Subsee said:

	Just double checked the templates are for 1.5 and I have version 1.5.10, are they compatible?
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March 31, 2009
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axel said:

	Yes, it is correct. After installing it have you enabled the new template? Go to Extensions -> Template Manager, choose your new template and press the default button. Then refresh your site.
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March 31, 2009
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Subsee said:

	Templates don't show as being installed in the template manager and when I press upload file & install in the extension manager it takes me back to the control panel.
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March 31, 2009
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axel said:

	Can you give me a download link for the template to test it myself?
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March 31, 2009
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Subsee said:

	http://www.joomla24.com/remosi.../3732.html This is just one of many I have tried to install.
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March 31, 2009
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axel said:

There is a problem with this file. This is the error messages I got:

JInstaller::install: File '******/tmp/install_49d26e1a3c0cc/jtCityScape/ReadMe.txt' does not exist.
Install Template Error

ReadMe.txt is missing so the template couldn't be installed. This is the first time I see this error. smilies/sad.gif

You can just create an empty txt file named ReadMe.txt and insert it in the .zip file inside the jtCityScape directory. It worked for me. smilies/wink.gif

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March 31, 2009
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mina said:

	thanks for this information. I've been trying to use joomla for 3 weeks with no luck. i even bought a book and looked at all sites and resources but was not able to get things to work. but your instructions got the site work on first try. keep up the good work
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April 18, 2009
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axel said:

	I am glad my guide helped you mina.
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April 20, 2009
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Andy said:

Hi - Your guide looks very useful and hopefully will help me a lot - but i'm having major problems already! I installed Wamp, but when I type in http://localhost, it just comes up with a page saying 'It works!' - not the page shown in your guide! So I cant access the menus etc to start step 2 (database creation)....

this happens on both Firefox and Explorer, and using both http://localhost and http://127.0.0.1

Any ideas what I'm doing wrong?!

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May 04, 2009
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axel said:

It seems that apart from Wamp you are also running IIS, a windows web server, so you will have to disable it if you really don't need it.

if you are using Windows Vista go to
Control Panel -> Uninstall Programs -> Turn Widows Features On or Off and uncheck Internet Information Services

If you are using Windows XP go to
Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs -> Add/Remove Windows Components and uncheck Internet Information Services (IIS)

Next restart your computer and restart WAMP too.

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May 04, 2009
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Andy said:

	Just tried that, but I don't have IIS on my computer... no sign of it in Windows Components or in a system search. Any other ideas?!
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May 04, 2009
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Andy said:

	Sorted it - I had an older version of apache on the computer which was using port 80, so the newly downloaded version wasn't able to access it. Deleted the old one via control panel-->add/remove programs and it now works fine! Thanks for your help!
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