Using Joomla

Appendix B. Choosing the Right Extensions

It has been said that cooks are only as good as the ingredients that they use. We’re not so bold as to say that your website is only as good as the extensions you use, but if you use the wrong extensions, you may set yourself up for heartache later.

Which Extension Is Right for Me?

When looking for extensions, there are many questions to ask yourself. This appendix will go through some of those questions that you should ask when choosing an extension. You may also want to look at Chapter 18 to see if we have already spotlighted what we feel is the best extension for certain jobs.

What Do I Want the Extension to Do?

There are thousands of extensions for Joomla. Chances are that an extension already exists to do what you are looking for. Getting a clear idea of what you want the extension to do will make your search a whole lot easier.

You should first look at the Joomla! Extensions Directory (JED) (which you can find at http://extensions.joomla.org). Categories are broken out logically. Most categories even have subcategories that focus on specific needs.

If your requirements for an extension are very specific and do not have any areas that can be compromised, you may need to hire a programmer to write the extension for you. This may be from scratch or using another extension as a starting point.

What Do Others Say About the Extension?

One of the great features of the JED is that you have the ability to read user reviews of extensions. This ...