21 years ago, WordPress launched and quickly positioned itself as a top CMS in the market. Over the years, it has pulled many users away from Joomla—a once bloated CMS that still carries code structured from its precursor, PHPNuke. Joomla, although a respected CMS website builder, has seen its leading status wane with the latest WordPress update. Even today, people comparing Joomla and WordPress are missing out on why the latter has become the superior choice in 2024. Here are three reasons why searching for a comparison is now irrelevant.
What’s the Problem with Joomla?
Many might not recall PHPNuke, the CMS that started it all back in 1998, offering tools like web polls, contact forms, forums, guest books, and user registration—it was the go-to framework. I used to build portals with PHPNuke for IRC server owners. A group named Miro forked PHPNuke to create Mambo, and from a disagreement within the Miro team, Joomla was born. Despite updates, Joomla still drags too much outdated baggage.
One major issue with Joomla is that many addons—tools that add functionality to your site—are either behind a paywall or require unnecessary registration. Sifting through to find quality free addons is a mammoth task, often risking your website’s security with poorly coded plugins.
Joomla has fallen behind WordPress, and with new entrants like Wix shaking up the CMS market with their user-friendly tools, Joomla is struggling to keep up. In e-commerce, for example, users are opting for WooCommerce or Shopify over Joomla’s less intuitive systems.
Why WordPress is the Best CMS Website Builder?
In recent years, WordPress has undergone significant changes, enhancing its code and adding numerous features that cater to website owners, marketers, and content publishers across various needs. The addon community now offers exceptional, modern solutions that are often free.
Here are my three reasons why WordPress is the best CMS Website Builder in 2024:
Easy Installation
WordPress is renowned for its simplicity, setting a standard that other CMS website builders can’t match. Most web hosting companies now provide one-click WordPress installation scripts that handle everything from database creation to user setup, making it a breeze for beginners.
The New Gutenberg Web Editor
Whether you’re an experienced developer or a newbie, the Gutenberg editor simplifies website building. It might take a few tries to navigate, but once mastered, it’s a powerful tool. It allows users to assign custom templates to posts, pages, or categories, offering extensive customization possibilities. Despite its comprehensive options, its demand for screen real estate is a necessary trade-off for its functionality, which I believe will evolve.
SEO Friendly Out of the Box
WordPress has always considered SEO. It started with SEO-friendly URLs, and with addons like YoastSEO, it enhances meta tags and structures your content—whether it’s blogs, videos, or galleries—to boost your SEO foundation. This makes it an excellent choice for various website types.
Summary
While the Gutenberg editor requires significant screen space, its control and features are unmatched. In fact, my own site, ejrojas.com, utilizes the Gutenberg editor and the Twenty Twenty-Four theme.
If you’re still considering Joomla, Drupal, Wix, or others for your website, give WordPress a try. It’s free to test on WordPress.com, allowing you to explore its extensive features.
For web developers and designers, focusing on WordPress is a smart move. And if you’re planning to build a website, WordPress is the way to go.