1-day Joomla tutorial for a client

My latest Joomla Web Design project for a personal client is about to end and as part of the package, I offered them a one-day tutorial on how to use Joomla CMS (Content Management System) to manage the contents of their website. I actually can't think of any CMS to use but Joomla! The client wanted a basic and simple website but something that's extensible enough for future plans like, online forums, news and updates page. And of course, the platform should be something that a non-technical client could easily understand and use.

The client is a company that specializes in creative promotional solutions and corporate giveaways. They manufacture leather goods and other non-woven materials. They actually have a huge collection of items that they have produced in the past, but I suggested that we only pick the best to include in the website. I also suggested that we invest in a little photography to improve the way items are presented.. I actually did the photography.

The admin staff (which was actually a close friend) was actually the one who has to maintain the website. Having no experience in using a CMS, she made it clear that probably the only thing that she's comfortable doing online is sending and receiving emails - and also not to forget, she also uses YM. I briefed her about how she can get to the back-end of the website and gave her an overview of how everything works behind the face of the website . I told her that if you know how to use Yahoo and Gmail, then you can use Joomla! I guess, for someone who is looking at the interface for the first time, it's as if you need to learn how all the buttons work, before you could use it, but I assured her that there are just few that she needs to remember and understand.

She was ecstatic to see how easy it is to actually understand how to control their online articles. But as expected, first timers would really find the Modules, Components and Plugins a bit confusing. I had to draw and illustrate how a given layout is composed of different modules, how Joomla component renders the articles, and why writing articles in Joomla could get a lot easier with Plugins.

She actually enjoyed the session and very excited to have the editing done all by herself. It took us almost half a day to wrap things up. I know there are still things that confuse her. There are really some parts of Joomla that are a little bit complicated. But just as any other tools, you become accustomed to it as you go along and try to learn the interface. I think there's nothing more complicated than to build a static website that has no dynamic functionality, and you need to manually and technically change everything when something needs to be updated.Static websites are out, and dynamic websites where clients will be able to update their own content is definitely what the industry demands.

The trend for companies today has significantly evolved when it comes to building reputation and image for brands and labels. Traditionally, the power of costly advertising and other marketing campaigns dictate how people perceive brands, but now, people are more inclined to going online for some real stories having a more realistic impressions about things around us.

I guess, a corporate website is one ideal place for stories that build reputation, and making a website that is easily maintainable by the client itself has better advantages and also cost effective, because you dont have to hire a web designer everytime you have a new story to tell online.