What joomla Is
Joomla is an open-source content management system (CMS) written in php that stores its data in a mysql/MariaDB database. It’s built around a component-driven architecture: components handle major features such as articles, contact forms or e-commerce; modules provide smaller blocks of content or functionality that can appear around a page; plugins intercept and modify behavior at specific events; and templates control the look and layout. That structure gives Joomla flexibility for sites that need multi-level navigation, complex user access controls, or a combination of content types that are managed together in one interface.
Key technical traits
Technically, Joomla follows an MVC-like pattern for many of its extensions, uses a built-in ACL (access control list) system for user permissions, and includes multilingual support out of the box. Administrators manage content, menus, users and extensions from a backend interface while templates and css control front-end presentation. Because Joomla and wordpress both run on PHP and use MySQL/MariaDB, they share a common hosting footprint, but their extension ecosystems and internal data models differ significantly.
How Joomla Works Compared with WordPress
WordPress and Joomla are both CMSs, but they approach content and customization differently. WordPress revolves around posts, pages and a flexible plugin/theme system where most functionality is added via plugins and layout is handled by themes. It uses a hooks-based system (actions and filters) that developers leverage to change behavior. Joomla, on the other hand, places more weight on components and modules as first-class building blocks; that makes some kinds of complex, multi-level sites easier to organize out of the box but can make extension interoperability more complex.
From an administrator’s point of view, WordPress tends to be more approachable for non-technical users and has a larger ecosystem of prebuilt themes and plugins. Joomla has stronger built-in options for access control and multilanguage sites without extra plugins. For developers, Joomla’s component architecture can be preferable when building tightly integrated applications, while WordPress often excels at rapid site builds and content-driven projects.
Using Joomla Content in WordPress
If you have an existing Joomla site and want to move to WordPress, there are two common goals: migrate the site completely into WordPress, or run Joomla and WordPress side-by-side. Full migration is the most common route because it consolidates management and makes future updates easier. Running both systems together , for example, keeping Joomla for a specific application and using WordPress for a blog , is possible but requires more work to keep user accounts synchronized and links consistent.
Migration approaches
There are several reliable ways to bring Joomla content into WordPress, ranging from automated plugins to manual export/import. Which you choose depends on site size, complexity and how many custom extensions you use:
- Automated plugin imports (e.g., FG Joomla to WordPress) , these tools read Joomla tables and automatically create WordPress posts, categories and users. They often import images and some metadata but may need configuration for extensions and custom fields.
- Third-party migration services (e.g., CMS2CMS) , paid services that handle complex migrations and can reduce manual work on large sites.
- Manual migration , export content from Joomla (database or CSV), write scripts or use SQL to transform tables, import into WordPress via WP-cli or import plugins. This is flexible but requires database skills and testing.
- Hybrid approach , use an automated tool for the bulk of content and handle special components, custom content types or complex menus manually.
What typically needs manual attention
Extensions and custom components are the main pain points. A Joomla component that stores data in its own tables often cannot be imported automatically into WordPress in a meaningful way. You’ll need to decide whether to recreate functionality with WordPress plugins or custom post types and possibly write migration scripts to map data fields. Menus, module placements, and template layouts also require adjustments because wordpress themes and menu systems work differently.
Step-by-step migration checklist
Below is a practical sequence to move a site from Joomla to WordPress with minimal downtime and SEO impact. Each step has details that depend on your specific site, so treat this as a checklist rather than an exact recipe.
- Full backup: back up the Joomla files and database before making any changes.
- Set up WordPress: install wordpress on a staging environment or subdirectory on the same server so you can test without disturbing the live site.
- Choose a theme and plugins: pick a WordPress theme that supports your layout goals and plugins that replace Joomla extensions (forms, SEO, e-commerce, etc.).
- Import content: use a migration plugin or service to bring articles, categories, users and media into WordPress. Verify that image paths and metadata (titles, meta descriptions) are imported correctly.
- Map or recreate functionality: replace Joomla components with WordPress plugins or custom post types, and migrate any custom data manually if needed.
- permalink and SEO setup: set WordPress permalinks to match old Joomla urls where possible, add 301 redirects for changed URLs, and ensure meta tags and schema are preserved or re-created.
- Testing: check pages, links, forms, search, and mobile layout. Use tools to crawl the site and find broken links or missing assets.
- Go live: switch DNS or replace the Joomla site with the WordPress site. Keep monitoring logs and analytics to ensure traffic and rankings stay stable.
Integrating Joomla and WordPress (if you need both)
In some cases you may want to keep Joomla running for specific functionality while launching WordPress for content. The simplest approach is to host them separately , e.g., Joomla on a subdomain (app.example.com) and WordPress on the main domain , and link between them. Embedding Joomla pages inside WordPress with an iframe is technically possible but not ideal for SEO or user experience. There have been bridging tools and single-sign-on solutions in the past, but many of them require custom configuration and can become fragile as either CMS updates.
For user synchronization and shared logins, solutions exist but often need upkeep. If long-term maintenance and SEO are priorities, full migration to WordPress and reimplementing needed features there usually results in a simpler and more maintainable setup.
SEO and performance considerations during migration
Search engines value consistent URLs, preserved metadata and low downtime. To protect traffic and rankings during a migration: keep a list of old URLs, set up 301 redirects from old Joomla pages to their new WordPress equivalents, migrate meta titles and descriptions, and update or maintain structured data and sitemaps. Test the migrated site with a crawler to find broken internal links, and monitor search console for crawling errors after launch. Performance-wise, WordPress offers many caching and optimization plugins; ensure your hosting environment and caching strategy are tuned for traffic patterns and media sizes.
When to choose Joomla vs WordPress
Neither CMS is universally better; the right choice depends on project needs. Choose Joomla when you need built-in multilingual support, detailed access control across many user groups, or when you already have complex components that rely on Joomla’s architecture. Choose WordPress when you want a large ecosystem of themes and plugins, easier content editing for non-technical editors, and a broad range of SEO and page-builder tools. If you’re already invested in one system, evaluate the migration costs and long-term maintenance before switching.
Summary
Joomla is a flexible CMS with a component/module/plugin architecture and solid built-in features for access control and multilingual sites. WordPress uses a different approach focused on themes and plugins, with a simpler content model and a larger marketplace of extensions. If you want to bring Joomla content into WordPress, you can migrate using plugins or services, or perform a manual migration for complex setups. Careful planning , backing up, preserving URLs and metadata, recreating specialized functionality and testing , will keep SEO and user experience intact during the transition.
FAQs
Can I run Joomla and WordPress together on the same domain?
Yes, you can run them on the same server but usually on different paths or subdomains (example.com for WordPress and app.example.com or example.com/joomla for Joomla). Running both on the same domain root is impractical. For shared users or single sign-on you’ll need additional integration tools, which can be complex to maintain.
Will I lose search rankings if I migrate from Joomla to WordPress?
Not necessarily. If you preserve URLs or implement proper 301 redirects, migrate meta titles and descriptions, and verify sitemaps and structured data, you can minimize ranking fluctuations. Expect a short-term period of monitoring while search engines reindex the new site.
Which tools help migrate Joomla to WordPress?
Popular tools include the FG Joomla to WordPress plugin for automated imports and paid migration services like CMS2CMS for larger or more complex sites. Manual migration is also possible using database exports and custom scripts for full control over data mapping.
What happens to Joomla extensions when I migrate?
Joomla extensions (components/modules) do not transfer automatically. You will need to find WordPress alternatives or recreate the functionality using plugins or custom code. Some complex data structures may require manual data migration and custom post types in WordPress.
Is it difficult to keep media files (images) when migrating?
Most migration tools handle images by copying them from the Joomla media folder into WordPress’s uploads folder and updating URLs in content. For very large media libraries or nonstandard storage setups, a manual copy and url rewrite may be necessary.
