Joomla is a powerful CMS known for its flexibility and modular structure. But while many users are familiar with its core functionalities, there's a lot more beneath the surface that often goes unnoticed. In this post, we’ll uncover five hidden Joomla features that can save you time, improve your workflow, and help you build even better websites.
1. Assigning Different Template Styles to Individual Pages
Did you know you can apply different template styles to different menu items? This allows you to completely change the layout or appearance of specific pages without touching code.
How to use it:
Go to Menus > [Your Menu] > [Menu Item], then under the "Template Style" dropdown, choose the template variation you want for that specific page.
This is perfect for landing pages, blog sections, or product pages that need a unique design.
2. Custom Fields for Articles, Users, and Contacts
Joomla allows you to add custom fields to articles, users, and contact forms—ideal for creating structured content without using extra extensions.
Example use cases:
- Add a "Rating" field to product reviews.
- Add "Job Title" or "Social Media Links" to user profiles.
- Create expandable sections of article content without coding.
Explore it via Content > Fields, and assign them as needed.
3. Multilingual Management Without Extensions
Unlike some CMSs, Joomla supports multilingual websites right out of the box.
You can:
- Create language-specific versions of content.
- Use language switchers.
- Assign menu items to specific languages.
If you're building a bilingual or multilingual site, Joomla is ready to go without any third-party plugins.
4. Overrides for Layout and Language Files
Joomla allows you to override almost anything without modifying core files, which is great for updates and customization.
- Template overrides let you adjust the look and feel of components and modules.
- Language overrides allow you to change any text string shown on the site.
Find this in Extensions > Templates > Templates > [Your Template] > Create Overrides, or go to Languages > Overrides.
5. Scheduled Publishing and Unpublishing
Timing your content has never been easier. Joomla lets you set Start Publishing and Finish Publishing dates on articles, modules, and even menu items.
Use this to:
- Launch announcements on specific dates.
- Automatically hide old promotions or seasonal content.
- Pre-plan content without extensions.
Final Thoughts
Joomla is often underrated compared to other CMS platforms, but it’s packed with powerful tools—many of which are hidden in plain sight. If you're only using the basics, take a little time to explore these features. They might just transform how you build and manage your Joomla websites.
