Blog, pod-cast, track back, ping, post, comment, edit, category, section, tag, title, banner, users, logging, analytics, usability, design, graphics, login, article, e-commerce, SEO, SEM, SEF, XML, HTML, server, operating system, SMTP, POP3, up-sell, down-sell, membership management, auto-responders, mailing lists, capture, cache, query, database, payment, credit card, security....

Is this list starting to scare you?

Choosing the platform that runs your on-line business is a very important decision. Given the large number of options available, it is a very good idea to gather as much knowledge as you can before making your choice.

It can also be a very expensive decision, as the most fully capable systems are either proprietary, or you are going to need to build you own with a team of your own people, then you will need to keep them employed to administer and develop the system.

Almost all on-line businesses fall into one or more of these categories:

How to make your Decision

The most important question, and the place to start, is to ask yourself what your your requirements are.

We will assume you want to go for the least expensive options, e.g.:free, which is OK, as Open-Source systems are getting much better.

If you are simply looking to publish content like articles and posts, then a blog like WordPress is often enough. If you need a more complicated publishing system then there are a number of Content Management and E-Commerce Systems available.

Popular Open Source Content Management Systems

WORDPRESS	DRUPAL	ZOPE	MEDIAWIKI

Popular Open Source E-Commerce Systems

The problems can start when your business grows and you need more features. You will find that systems can get very complicated to administrate, as none of the systems can talk to each other.

Eventually, we believe that you will want to have all these capabilities under one roof, and this is where it can get expensive.

....Or maybe, it is all far from Doom & Gloom...

There is an option that can do as little as you need right now, but expand to as much as you require in the future.

We have many years experience with many different Content Management and E-Commerce Systems.

JOOMLA

However, in recent years we have concentrated on Joomla as it has a very active community and is extremely well served by extensions, both free and commercial.

Joomla is also very easy to extend to make sure you have the tools you need. You can do it in-house, or pay someone else.

Joomla is the Open Source PHP Content Management System (CMS) that we have used to build sites for Real Estate, E-Commerce, Corporate, Software Sales and a UK Member of Parliament.

We also have a great deal of experience with Virtuemart, the E-Commerce system and payment platform for Joomla.

We have even created a Virtuemart EXTension platform and framework (VEXT) that allows this powerful product listing and payment system to extend even further.

In effect a modular e-commerce platform that allows multiple systems integration without the large development costs.

Why we recommend Joomla.

Our general opinion of Joomla is that it provides the best of all worlds: a large number of independent developers, multiple extensions, e-commerce, great publishing, and now a blogging framework.

If you are having any difficulty trying to find your platform, then we seriously suggest you look at this.

Our experience with Joomla is rock solid, should you need a CMS for your website, we will be happy to discuss your requirements in order to make suggestions for the best way of implementing them.

Get in touch now.