Joomla is an awesome content management system with tons of amazing free extensions to improve the appearance and functionality of your website.  With so many extensions to choose from, we had a difficult time picking our favourites, but we were able to bring you 10 of the best extensions for Joomla.

These extensions can help you enhance your site’s security, turn your pictures into beautiful slide shows and thumbnails, make your own extensions and plugins, create contact forms and directories, attach files to your articles, set up a private message system for your site’s users, upload files to your site without using an FTP client, and backup and restore your Joomla site.

jSecure Authentication

Joomla’s a great content management system, but it has one major flaw:  it’s easy to access the admin login area by typing a a site’s URL  followed by /administration (i.e., www.evohosting.co.uk/adminstration).  The Joomla extension jSecure Authentication fixes this flaw by making the admin login page inaccessible without the correct access key.  Without the right access key, hackers will get redirected to either a 404 page or your site’s home page, so they won’t even get the chance to try to crack your Joomla id and password.  Pretty cool, right?

Exposé Flash Gallery

Want an interesting way to showcase your photographs on your website?  Then this extension was made for you!  This Flash-based tool lets you turn your images into stunning slide shows.  Exposé Flash Gallery allows direct linking to an album or images and boasts full PHP integration.  Plus, background images can be uploaded via Joomla’s backend, and you can even have your slide shows begin automatically when your site loads.

Jumi

This extension for Joomla is a set of custom code extensions for Joomla 1.0.X and 1.5.X in their native modes, making it faster and easier for you to develop anything from simple plugins and modules to complex solutions.  Jumi enables you to include PHP, HTML, and Javascript in your site’s customized component pages, module positions, category and section descriptions, and articles; it also allows you to incorporate static HTML and TXT pages into your pages without the use of the wrapper component.  Plus, it provides you with complete access to Joomla constants, functions, variables, etc. in your PHP scripts.

mavik Thumbnails

Need an easy way to create thumbnails for the images on your Joomla website?  Then you need mavik Thumbnails!  This extension for Joomla automatically makes image thumbnails, and all you have to do is insert the original picture into an article and resize it.  mavik Thumbnails also allows you to add links to full text or pop-windows, but it does require PHP5.

RSForm!Pro – Form Builder

Do you want to reduce your spam by using contact forms for your Joomla site, but you have no idea where to begin?  Then start with RSForm!Pro, an extension for Joomla that allows you to make contact forms in just a matter of minutes.  This extension uses built-in form layouts, so you don’t need any knowledge of PHP or HTML.  RSForm!Pro will also notify your site’s staff and visitors via email when forms are submitted, and you can export all of the form submissions in CSV format.

SOBI2 – Sigsiu Online Business Index 2

Want to create an online directory of businesses, individuals, or organisations?  Then this is the Joomla extension for you!  With SOBI 2, registered users of your website can enter their information in the index, and the entries are divided into categories and subcategories.  Each entry can be listed in multiple categories, and users can upload 2 images for every entry.  Plus, this extension has integrated a connection to PayPal, so it’s perfect for creating a premium directory!

Attachments for content articles

Do you have a downloadable file you’d like to add to your site?  Then you need the ‘Attachments’ extension for Joomla!  This extension allows you to upload and attach files to content articles, and it comes with a plugin for displaying attachments at the end of an article and a component for uploading and managing the attachments.  Plus, you have control over who can view and upload the attachments.

joomlaXplorer

Have you ever been somewhere and you couldn’t upload a file to your Joomla site because you didn’t have FTP access?  Then you need the Joomla extension joomlaXplorer!  joomlaXplorer is a file and FTP manager that lets you edit, copy, rename, delete, archive and unpack files or directories directly on your server.  This extension also allows you to search, upload, download, browse, move, and create files and directories, making it perfect for the times when you don’t have FTP access!

uddeIM 1.7

Looking for a simple way for members of your online community to get in touch with each other?  Then you need this extension for Joomla!  uddeIM is a simple Private Messaging System (PMS)  that allows your community’s users to send each other private messages.  uddeIM has all of the features a PMS needs, but it’s still very easy to use!

JoomlaPack

Want a simple method of backing up and restoring your Joomla website?  Then check out the extension JoomlaPack!  This Joomla extension creates a complete backup of your website in a single archive, and the archive contains all of your site’s files, a snapshot of your database, and an installer based on the standard installer for Joomla.  Plus, the restore and backup processes are powered by AJAX, so even large sites can avoid server timeouts.

Do you need help installing these extensions for Joomla?  Then check out our tutorial on how to install Joomla extensions!

Are you looking for Joomla hosting?  Check out our UK web hosting plans!  Joomla is just one of the 60+ free scripts we offer with every plan!

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