WordPress junkies consider WordPress CMS to be the unchallenged winner when it comes to comparing the search engine optimization aspect of it with Joomla. However, a careful analysis shows that WordPress when it comes to SEO also has its share of limitations; and Joomla might not be the best, but is not awful. But, how do we conclude this? Well, here are a few observations:
Understanding WordPress SEO
Understanding Joomla SEO
As always said Joomla is not the perfect platform to perform proper on-site optimization if you are a newbie; although appropriate attention has been given to improving the SEO capabilities with Joomla 2.5. While it is known that Joomla comprises of basic SEO-optimization functionality, you can turn on SEF URLs (take it a bit further), enable URL rewriting and also choose whether you would like to enable URL suffixes or not.
There is also the option of adding a global meta description and meta keywords, besides defining the meta tags and title tags at a page level - regardless of it not being as user-friendly a process as it could have been. Moreover, it is important for you as Joomla users to know that you can also choose to noindex and/or nofollow a specific menu item. Also, in case you intend to do more than basic optimization for a Joomla website, get ready for some debugging.
There is also the option of adding a global meta description and meta keywords, besides defining the meta tags and title tags at a page level - regardless of it not being as user-friendly a process as it could have been. Moreover, it is important for you as Joomla users to know that you can also choose to noindex and/or nofollow a specific menu item. Also, in case you intend to do more than basic optimization for a Joomla website, get ready for some debugging.
Page Speed
It’s a general misconception that Joomla is bulky enough to make your website a slow-loading, bandwidth-eating monster. An in-depth analysis of both the CMS has shown that a small amount of tweaking is required in both the system to make it work according to your requirements. In fact, when it comes to page speed, no clear advantage to either WordPress or Joomla – you have the plugins available that will help assist you in achieving page speed best practice - minifying CSS and Javascript, GZip compression, leveraging caching etc.
Link Structure
While some SEO enthusiasts might boast of having the near ‘perfect’ URL structure, there is actually not much that can be weighed upon. In fact, it is important to ensure that the URLs are SEO-friendly, instead of just looking like a string of random characters. So, instead of just concentrating on the search engine spiders, if a human by looking at a URL can say what the page is all about – then you definitely have a good link structure.
While both WordPress and Joomla have the ability to achieve this out the box, WordPress makes it somewhat easier by allowing you to define your permalink within a post. On the other hand, Joomla creates your link by using the category or /your menu item or / for the URLs.
While both WordPress and Joomla have the ability to achieve this out the box, WordPress makes it somewhat easier by allowing you to define your permalink within a post. On the other hand, Joomla creates your link by using the category or /your menu item or / for the URLs.
Image Optimization
When it comes to image optimization, WordPress is the clear winner. However, with the recent release of Joomla2.5.x, Joomla has managed to close the gap. Here you will find that both the CMS allow adding images with ease, add alt tags, image titles and define image dimensions- all considered to be good SEO practices when it comes to image optimization.
However, innovative WordPress plugins like SEO Friendly Images does all for you automatically. On the other hand, Joomla strangely instructs search engines not to index your images folder as this defeats the entire object of image optimization.
However, innovative WordPress plugins like SEO Friendly Images does all for you automatically. On the other hand, Joomla strangely instructs search engines not to index your images folder as this defeats the entire object of image optimization.
Custom 404 Pages
Joomla used to make 404 Pages, makes it extremely difficult to redirect to a custom 404, which of course can be made easier nowadays with a bit of code tweaking. Here, once again WordPress impresses. Several analysis have shown that even with the use of several SEO components for Joomla (that are supposed to allow you to create custom 404s), none of them worked as expected. On the other hand, custom 404 plugins work much better.
So, we still are in search of a clear winner for SEO in CMS, although WordPress as yet has an edge. Do share your thoughts with us.
So, we still are in search of a clear winner for SEO in CMS, although WordPress as yet has an edge. Do share your thoughts with us.
About The Guest ContributorRelated Searches for This post : Wordpress vs Joomla, best SEO tips for Wordpress and Joomla, Optimize Search Engine in Wordpress, Joomla,
Jackson Sutton works with VITEB - an joomla website design company. His passion for upgrading his knowledge puts him to research on topics relevant to his industry. Besides, he also likes to share his findings by writing about them in his free time. Read some of his bestsellers on different guest blogging platforms.
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