This document provides instructions for building a website using Joomla, an open-source content management system (CMS). It outlines 10 steps: 1) downloading XAMPP and Joomla, 2) starting the server, 3) installing Joomla, 4) getting familiar with the interface, 5) installing a theme, 6) adding modules, 7) adding content, 8) completing the site, 9) uploading the site to an online server, and 10) obtaining a domain name. Each step includes detailed explanations and links to video tutorials for additional guidance.

1. Building A Website
Using Joomla

2. The Tools We’re Going to Use
• XAMPP – Integrated server tool, it contains
• Apache – Main HTTP Server software
• MySQL – Database software
• Joomla 3 – CMS tool

3. Instructions
Step 1. Download all the tools we need
Step 2. Start the Server
Step 3. Install the basic Joomla webpage
Step 4. Get familiar to the Interface
Step 5. Install a Theme
Step 6. Install Modules we need
Step 7. Add some contents
Step 8. Make it more completed
Step 9. Get an online server and upload your website
Step10. Get a domain name

4. Step 1. Download all the tools we need
• XAMPP: https://www.apachefriends.org/index.html
• After downloaded, please install it completely
• Joomla 3: http://www.joomla.org/
• After downloaded, please decompress all the files into a new folder under
the ”htdocs” folder which is under the position where you install XAMPP (the
default position is C:XAMPPhtdocs)
• Please notice: the name of this file folder will be part of your website’s
address
• For example: You can decompress all the files from the Joomla_3.X.X-Stable-
Full_Package.zip file into a new folder named “website”, then move this folder
into C:XAMPPhtdocs. In this case, the address later we’re goin’ to use in
browser will be http://localhost/website

5. Step 2. Start the Server
• Make sure that Apache and MySQL can run successfully
• The color under “Apache” and “MySQL” turning green means running
successfully, otherwise it means unsuccessful
• If they cannot, you should modify the “http port” that Apache uses.
If you open http://localhost
and only see a blank page,
then it also means that the
server didn’t run successfully,
please refer this video to fix it:
http://youtu.be/-DWZ6Ecjl6I

6. Step 2. Start the Server
• http://localhost
←This server admin page

7. Step 2. Start the Server
• Add a new database for your website from http://localhost/phpmyadmin/
Please remember this name

8. Step 3. Install the basic Joomla webpage
• http://localhost/(YourWebpageName)

9. Step 3. Install the basic Joomla webpage
←The default setting is like this, you don’t have to change it
←Type in the name of database you just created in phpmyadmin page

10. Step 3. Install the basic Joomla webpage
And wait for it to be finished
Remember to delete the installation folder after installation!!

11. Step 3. Install the basic Joomla webpage
• If you need more detailed information about how to install Joomla,
you can refer this video: http://youtu.be/MH36mH88iDA or
http://youtu.be/EsUsRdm7DYY

12. Step 4. Get familiar to the Interface

13. Step 4. Get familiar to the Interface
• Module Manager

14. Step 5. Install a Theme
• You can get some template from these website:
• http://icetheme.com
• http://beautiful-templates.com/
• http://www.joomfreak.com/
• http://www.astemplates.com/
• http://www.joomla24.com/
• Detailed tutorial for installing a theme: http://youtu.be/xGfgZsf7v0s

15. Step 5. Install a Theme

16. Step 5. Install a Theme
• To active the theme just installed, we have to go to “Extensions”,
“Template Manager”, and choose the theme as “Default”

17. Step 6. Install Modules we need
• Make sure that you’ve already installed the build-in module from the
template.
• You can find most of the modules you need on
http://extensions.joomla.org/
• For more introduction about installing modules, please refer this
video: http://youtu.be/4g5t1mz5syQ

18. Step 6. Install Modules we need
• Some common modules that recommended to install and how to:
• JCE editor: http://youtu.be/xNTxReEtJB4
• Slideshow CK: http://youtu.be/U4cMkoMFowo
• Xmap: http://youtu.be/k3yV0aI0Kys
• There still are many more useful modules, such as e-commerce
module, crowdfunding module, forum module… and you can usually
find some tutorials on Youtube, so go on and help yourself!

19. Step 7. Add some contents
• How to add articles: http://youtu.be/1ZB26hQ4QzE
• How to add content as a more flexible form:
• use “customized HTML” module: http://youtu.be/oWpDIaCPkCo

20. Step 8. Make it more completed
• There are still many functions and possibilities can be utilized on
Joomla, if you spend more time to discover them and search more
information on the Internet, you’ll learn more and get to be a more
powerful website designer.
• However you can still easily and quickly get into Joomla and make a
completed website in short time. To do so, please refer this integral
and step by step tutorial: http://youtu.be/QG7rqu731sI?t=13m30s
(please start from 13:30)

21. Step 9. Get a server and upload your website
• Please refer these video first:
• Part1: http://youtu.be/TAtpHThfkU0
• Part2: http://youtu.be/fYFl8u0GaGY
• but this uploading step involves some complicated knowledge to
operate the whole procedure, so if you need to get a online server
and upload your website, please email me and make an appointment
with me.

22. Step10. Get a domain name
• Introduction about some free domain name:
http://youtu.be/r0zJoDWFOYo
• How to apply the “.CF” or “.GA” or “.ML” or “.TK” domain name:
http://youtu.be/KQAdR_VzhH0