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The importance of choosing extensions for a Joomla website

The importance of choosing extensions for a website

Sandra Decoux

Managing a website powered by the Joomla CMS requires careful attention to the choice of extensions.
Using these extensions effectively can greatly influence the performance, security, and manageability of your site.

Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of Joomla extensions.

Use only the essential extensions

It's crucial to limit the number of extensions to those that are truly necessary. This not only simplifies updates but also migrations to new versions of Joomla. Adding too many extensions can lead to compatibility issues and make your site more vulnerable to security flaws.

Check the extension's track record on the JED

Before installing an extension, check its history on the Joomla Extensions Directory (JED). Make sure it's compatible with the version of Joomla you're using, and look at when it was last updated. Avoid extensions that haven't been updated in a long time, as they may not be secure or compatible with your version of Joomla or the next major version.

Using templates

For templates, it's best to use the native template, Cassiopeia, or well-supported, actively maintained templates. Personally, I frequently use JoomShaper's Helix Ultimate template, which is very flexible and well maintained.

Must-have extensions

Here is a list of a few extensions that I consider must-haves for managing a Joomla site effectively:

  • Akeeba Backup: To back up and restore your site.
  • Cookie Policy Notification Bar by Web357: To manage cookie policies and cookie-related GDPR compliance.
  • CleanTalk: For effective spam protection.

Project-specific extensions

Depending on the specific needs of your projects, you may want to consider other extensions.
Here are a few that I use regularly:

  • RSForms: A very powerful extension for creating “advanced” forms on your site.
  • Hikashop: Ideal for e-commerce sites, offering a wealth of features to manage your online sales, plus very good support.
  • JoomShaper: For additional templates and advanced design features that make life easier.


By following these few tips, you'll not only ensure the security and performance of your Joomla site, but, above all, make it easier to manage over the long term.