Joomla tutorial for beginners (part 2). How to make a website from scratch

• Video tutorial.
• Links and extensions from the video tutorial.
• Websites URL recommendations.
• Websites images recommendations.

The information is almost entirely up to date for Joomla 5 (note added on October 21, 2023).

Video tutorial

• How to start XAMPP and login to Joomla admin panel – 00:00:53.
• Joomla 4 template installing – 00:01:53.
• Joomla 4 extensions installing – 00:02:49.
• Joomla menu creating – 00:04:41.
• Helix ultimate setting up and header creating – 00:05:3
• Footer creating (working with Joomla modules) – 00:13:14.
• Preview module positions – 00:14:27.
• SP Easy Image Gallery – 00:18:01.
• Generating thumbnails error on XAMPP – 00:18:56.

Better watch video with «1080p HD» quality. This and other video reviews and tutorials can be found on my YouTube channel.

Links and extensions from the video tutorial

• Previous article «Joomla tutorial for beginners (part 1). How to build a website from scratch».
• Joomla Helix Ultimate template.
• SP Easy Image Gallery.
• SP Page Builder.
• Search for PHP function in «php.ini» – «extension=gd». This might help with error: «An error has occurred. 0 Call to undefined function imagecreatefromjpeg()».
• Preview module positions – «?tp=1».

The files are available for download under the article above the comments.

In previous article «Joomla tutorial for beginners (part 1). How to build a website from scratch» we talked about what you need to do before building a website, installed XAMPP local server and Joomla 4. We also learned how to back up you Joomla site and back up an entire XAMPP server.

In this article, we will install and configure Helix ultimate template, create a site header and footer, create gallery in SP Easy Image Gallery and work with Joomla modules.

Video tutorial recorded February 19, 2023. List of software from the video: Joomla 4.2.7, XAMPP Windows x64 8.1.12 0 VS16, Helix Ultimate 2.0.11, SP Easy Image Gallery 2.0.2. My computer is running Windows 11 Pro 22H2 х64 (22621.1265, Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22638.1000.0), browser – Firefox 110.0.

Websites URL recommendations

Here are some recommendations for website URLs.

1. Keep it short. Shorter URLs are easier to remember and type, and are less prone to errors. Aim for a URL that is no more than 2-3 words if possible.
2. Use keywords. Including relevant keywords in your URL can help with SEO and make it easier for users to understand what your website is about.
3. Use hyphens. Use hyphens to separate words in your URL, rather than underscores or spaces. This makes it easier for search engines to read and understand your URL.
4. Avoid special characters. Avoid using special characters such as ampersands, question marks, or exclamation marks in your URL. Stick to alphanumeric characters and hyphens.
5. Use lowercase. Use lowercase letters in your URL to make it easier to remember and type.
6. Be descriptive. Your URL should give users an idea of what they can expect to find on your website. Make sure your URL accurately reflects the content of your website.

Remember that your URL is an important part of your website's identity, so it's important to choose a URL that is memorable, descriptive, and easy to share.

Websites images recommendations

Here are some recommendations for using images on your website:

1. Use high-quality images. High-quality images can make your website look more professional and visually appealing. Use images that are clear, sharp, and well-lit.
2. Optimize image file sizes. Large image file sizes can slow down your website's loading time. Use image optimization tools to compress your images without sacrificing quality.
3. Use relevant images. Use images that are relevant to your website content and help convey your message. Avoid using stock photos that look generic or have no connection to your content.
4. Be mindful of copyright. Make sure you have permission to use any images on your website. Use royalty-free or Creative Commons licensed images or purchase images from reputable sources.
5. Use alt tags. Alt tags are used to describe images to search engines and users who cannot see the images. Use descriptive alt tags that accurately describe the image.
6. Use consistent styles. Use consistent styles for your images, such as similar color palettes or image types. This can make your website look more cohesive and professional.
7. Consider image placement. Place images strategically to break up text and add visual interest. Be careful not to overwhelm your content with too many images.

Remember that images can enhance the user experience on your website, but they need to be used carefully and thoughtfully to avoid slowing down your website or distracting from your content.

In the next article «Joomla tutorial for beginners (part 3). How to build a website from scratch» we will create a main page in SP Page Builder 4 Lite and create a menu item for it.

Article author – Aleksej Khoroshevskij

Ph.D., lecturer at Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics, web developer, and SEO specialist with over 15 years of experience. Expert in website creation using Joomla and WebSite X5. Author of scientific publications, video courses, and educational content on web development and SEO. Runs a blog and a YouTube channel, sharing knowledge and practical experience. Provides services in website development, customization, maintenance, and promotion. Learn more about the author… Contacts: +38 095 840 24 29 +38 095 840 24 29 +38 095 840 24 29 email@aleksius.com Social networks: LinkedIn Facebook YouTube (Twitter) Publications and work: Google Scholar Scopus Upwork Freelance.ua