Joomla!, in our opinion, has to be one of the slickest content management systems (CMS) available today. It's often compared with Wordpress, which was developed primarily as a blogging platform, but Wordpress can't really hold a candle to Joomla! when it comes to a true content management system. Thanks to the huge community of Joomla! users and developers, there's very little that you can't do with Joomla!, and do it with style.
The Power Of Extensions
You can probably tell that we're fans of Joomla!, but we do have to admit that when it comes to eCommerce, Joomla! falls a little flat. Joomla! is "open source" software, which means that it's free, and it's basic form is strictly as a CMS. A lot of the features and unique functionality that you will want for your site will come from "extensions", which are separate pieces of software developed specifically for Joomla! by 3rd party companies and individuals. Some extensions are free, but many effective extensions are "commercial" and available for sale.
By itself, Joomla! serves the purpose of being a powerful, flexible, and sophisticated CMS framework, but it's the extensions that allow you to take Joomla! to the 10th level in terms of design and functionality. So, if you want to add a blog, a community forum, or a photo gallery, you would find an extension that serves that purpose. Of course, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of extensions, both paid for and free, that cover mostly any category or function you can think of.
Can Joomla! Do eCommerce?
Currently, there are over a dozen "shopping cart" extensions for Joomla!; but, don't get too excited. Most of them are simple, lightweight solutions that allow Joomla! very basic eCommerce functionality, and may be satisfactory if you're selling only a handful of products. The few exceptions, however, are more advanced, full-featured components that can handle thousands, if not unlimited, products and can cost upwards of a few hundred dollars.
One of the most popular shopping carts for Joomla! is called VirtueMart and it is available at no cost for the core program. There are, however, many 3rd party extensions developed for VirtueMart and most of them require payment, which can add up. In its basic form, however, VirtueMart has an impressive list of standard eCommerce features for a Joomla! extension that is free, although there are mixed reviews regarding ease-of-use and performance.
When it comes to doing serious eCommerce, Joomla! does leave much to be desired. Whether you can take advantage of Joomla!'s superior CMS system and flexibility and use it as your online store really depends on your specific needs & requirements. As an example, if you have an online store with a small number of products and don't need complicated or advanced features, then Joomla! may work for you. If, however, you have your sights on having a very high-end, sophisticated, full-featured online business, then we suggest going with an established eCommerce shopping cart solution.
