Using an Open Source CMS application gives users a greater level of autonomy in the management of their online content. The market offers a selection of “of-the-shelf” CMS applications and it is advisable to consider the unique strengths and features of these applications before choosing the appropriate open source CMS solution for your online business.
Drupal and Joomla are definitely the most popular “off-the-shelf” CMS solutions in terms of efficiency and resourcefulness. Both applications have undergone extensive testing within the commercial web development field and the internet is saturated with informative articles that explore the various components and technicalities of each application.
Joomla and Drupal have different areas in which they excel. Drupal has a superior architectural component while Joomla exhibits better functionality. Some find Joomla’s simplistic design and development usability very appealing, while others prefer Drupal’s reliable program documentation. Both Joomla and Drupal include features such as free banner management modules and MySQL database support.
Websites that have appropriated either a Joomla or Drupal CMS will run fast and do not require the use of extensive server resources. The Drupal CMS lacks technical strength in areas such as Event Calendars, Shopping Cart Functionality, Layout themes and Document Management.
On the other hand, the Joomla CMS has a weaker architectural component and lacks strength in areas such as content and multi-site management, user permission, and standard’s compliance. Listed below are some of Joomla and Drupal’s features.
Advantages of Drupal
- Drupal contains good program documentation
- It is search engine friendly and it can be configured for friendly URLs
- It exhibits great configuration and exceptional SEO
- Even though it does not give you the added leverage of allowing multiple templates per site, Drupal does allow different themes to be allocated to specific pages
- There’s no cost to use the software.
- There is a big community (developers, users, admins) that exists to help one another
Disadvantages of Drupal
- The installation process of Drupal is complex
- Complex web design and development usability
- There is an advanced interface, professional construction systems make Drupal difficult to master
- Difficulty in the installation of updates and program modules. The system might be complicated for those web developers who previously dealt with a simple CMS, as the installation of updates and additional modules in the Drupal software is made through FTP
Advantages of Joomla
- Installation process and set-up is quick and easy
- Its design is simplistic and its development usability is easy
- Offers a lot of commercial and well-designed templates that can be added to your site
- Joomla excels in functional elements
- Is exceptionally user-friendly and easy to upgrade
Disadvantages of Joomla
- Offers limited program documentation
- Server resources and efficiency – modularity and expendability often mean bigger demands on server parameters
- Paid plugins – most of the plugins and modules for Joomla! are paid. It pays to spend some time to make sure you won’t have to buy an addition that is free in some other script
If you’re still undecided about which Content Management System will suit your business need, contact our team at Lilo for a chat to find out more.
