Joomla Support

The following will guide you through installation of a Joomla template for your web site.

All template themes are avaliable in a zip format which enables you to automatcially upload and install the web design directly onto your web site.

One of the great benifits Joomla has to offer is the ability to change the design of your site by selecting the relevent theme from the back end administrator console.

Joomla Template Zip file structure Overview

1) Index.php - The index.php file includes the PHP code, head and body tags plus tables or Div's to control the module postions and overall template layout.

2) templateDetails.xml - This is used to automate the template install process. Basically Joomla reads the XML file to create the directories and transfer the css, php and image files to your template directory on the server.

3) CSS directory - This contains the template_css.css file for your design.

4) Template_css.css - The template CSS file controls the overall layout / styling of your theme.

5) Images Directory - This contains all the images ( jpg,gif,png)associated with the web design.

6) template_thumbnail.png - This is used to display a thumb nail of the design which you can view via the backend administrator when selecting a template for your site.

Installing a Joomla Template

Now you have an overview to the template structure its time to install that web design theme to spice up your Joomla web site.

1) Login into your administrator console.

2) Select the menu item Installer and template - site

3) Now select the browse button and select the zip file you would like to install.

4) Once you have located the zip file select the Upload & Install button.

5) The template should now be installed

Choose the default design

After you have installed the template theme the next stage is to set the design as the default theme for your web site. To do this please complete the following.

1) From the administrator console select Site and Template manager and then Site Templates

2) Now you will see a list of themes to choose from plus the new design you have just installed. To make the design the default theme for your site just select the check box next to the template and click on the default button.

3) The design will now be your default for your site.

Free Joomla Templates

A number of web sites offer a wide range of free templates for Joomla which you can download and install. The web sites offering the free themes include the the following.

Joomlahut - This site has over 300 free themes which you can download and use.

JoomlaOS - Joomlaos has some cool free design themes you can use.

Commercial Template designers

Joomladesigns - This site has over 200 diffrent themes on offer for Joomla which you can download for just 25 euros.