Assuming that you have installed a Joomla! 1.5 content management system on your computer for testing purposes or you use this PHP/MySQL application online for your website, you must modify the default installation settings and customize the overall frontend appearance. You can do that by logging in to the administration panel from the main page of your website.

By selecting Global Configuration you will be able to modify Site Settings, Metadata Settings, SEO settings and Feed Settings. You can also modify the cache and session settings. For example, if you change your site content often then you should set a lower value for the cache time. You can also change the server, database, FTP, mail and locale settings. You can enhance the default Joomla! installation adding new website capabilities by installing various extensions useful for both frontend and backend. In order to do this, you must use the extension manager. From the main menu, choose Extensions and then Install/Uninstall.

For example, if you want to install a new template for the website frontend click browse, select the zip file, then click the load File & Install button. Then you should receive the message "Install Template Success". Then, go to Extensions-Template Manager. From within Template Manager Window select the radio button corresponding to the default frontend template, then assign it as default by pressing the Default button from the right upper corner. If you check the website appearance, you will notice that the new template is installed. Joomla! templates are very easy to customize.

Other extensions are components, modules, plugins and languages. These add-ons allow you to build, for example, an e-commerce website in just a few minutes if you use an appropriate e-commerce template. You can also add an image gallery, an events calendar, flash movies, a forum to your website with only a few mouse clicks. In conclusion, you do not have to be a web designer to customize your website appearance. Also SEO (search engine optimization) can easily be performed by selecting the right modules or plugins. The only thing you will have to do is to add content to your new Joomla! website.