Articles - Page 114

What I Mean to Say: A Practitioner Perspective on AI, Semantics, and Content Evolution

msalvatierra

Following an interesting interview with <a href="/cms-critic-interviews-sean-schroeder-matt-levine-of-mura-cms/" target="_blank">Sean Schroeder &amp; Matt Levine</a> to kick off our latest featured week, the <a href="http://www.getmura.com/" target="_blank">Mura CMS</a> team gave us a walkthrough of their platform's top three features.
Built to be easier and faster for people to build and maintain even the most ambitious websites, Mura CMS is a platform growing in popularity.
<img style="max-width:200px" src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/mura_cms_200x0.png" />
Whether you need to do something as simple as adding a news release or as complex as integrating website data with an enterprise CRM system, Mura CMS provides a clear and complete toolkit. Mura CMS was also crowned winner of the <a href="/2014-best-enterprise-cms-other-langs/" target="_blank">2014 People's Choice award for Best Enterprise CMS (Other Languages)</a>.
Here is Mura CMS in action.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6vDExDkPaoM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
To find out more about Mura CMS, <a href="http://www.getmura.com/" target="_blank">visit their website</a> or check them out through our <a href="/products/mura-cms/" target="_blank">CMS Directory</a>.
Also, be sure to stick around for more Mura CMS coverage as this featured week continues.

A Video Walkthrough of 3 Great Mura CMS Features

mike-johnston

During the recent CMS Critic North American Tour, Mike Johnston had the chance to sit down with Sean Schroeder and Matt Levine of the <a href="http://www.getmura.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Mura CMS</a> team.
Mura CMS is built with one focused purpose in mind – to make it easier and faster for people to build and maintain even the most ambitious websites. Whether you need to do something as simple as adding a news release or as complex as integrating website data with an enterprise CRM system, Mura CMS provides a clear and complete toolkit.
Notably, the platform was recently crowned winner of the <a href="/2014-best-enterprise-cms-other-langs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> 2014 People's Choice award for Best Enterprise CMS (Other Languages)</a>.
To get to know Mura CMS, check the aforementioned interview below.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wDoMQpROFSw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
This interview kicks off yet another featured week here at CMS Critic, with Mura CMS under the spotlight. So, stick around for more coverage,
To find out more about Mura CMS, <a href="http://www.getmura.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">visit their website</a> or check them out through our <a href="/products/mura-cms/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CMS Directory</a>.

CMS Critic Interviews Sean Schroeder & Matt Levine of Mura CMS

Currently in Beta, <a href="http://www.online.me/" target="_blank">Trident</a> is a self-professed SCMS — a Social Content Management System.
Trident is being driven by the highly experienced team behind Boonex Dolphin, and can be downloaded and installed to a hosting server before being extended and tweaked through various apps.
<a href="http://www.online.me/" target="_blank"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/97413screen11079x0.jpg" /></a>
At first glance, Trident looks like the sleek and sexy platform which the social networking space has been crying out for. But let's not judge this book by it's cover. Here's what Trident can do.
<h2>Beautiful &amp; Uber-Friendly</h2>
On top of looking the part, Trident is designed for responsiveness.
Most traffic to social networks come through mobile devices, and Trident have prioritised accordingly:
<blockquote>“We test on mobiles, tablets and desktops, and make make sure that all graphics support 1x and 2x resolution, and all interface icons are vector-based. Typography, link targets and navigation are all optimised for tap-control and reading from compact screens.”</blockquote>
Here's a further breakdown of Trident's responsive features, as well as all of its other capabilities.
<a href="http://www.online.me/" target="_blank"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/p2zze0w.jpg" /></a>
Mobile-Friendly
Every page and every action in Trident is designed for mobile devices first and foremost.
The Trident team says that they have, “acknowledged that today's social networks receive more mobile traffic than desktop traffic. So, we've created the system that is not just adapted for mobile devices, but is built for them from ground-up.”
Retina-Ready
All modern mobile devices have beautifully crisp screens, and Trident isn't looking to be a platform that lags behind in terms of aesthetics (like many other SCMS). Trident is 100% retina-optimized with all its vector icons, CSS-based layouts, and hi-resolution graphics.
Trouble-Free
Almost all web platforms require a lot of technical maintenance – installation of new modules, version updates, module updates, modification, customization – all these tasks require technical skills and a lot of time.
Trident is not like that. Instead, everything is automatic and simplified.
Multi-Profile
Previously, this feature was something only ever found in the top-tier global social networks like Facebook or Google+.
Trident though, supports multiple profiles under single account, meaning that one user can create a Person profile, an Organisation profile, and other kinds of special profiles. Users can also switch between their profiles on-the-fly.
Studio
Trident features an unprecedented configuration system, called Studio.
The idea behind Studio is in the separation of site content administration and general site configuration. Administration can be done by trusted site members (such as moderators) or by hired admins, whereas configuration is a creative process that is best suited for the site operator or owner.
<h2>App-tastic &amp; Down Right Exciting</h2>
The aforementioned Studio is the place where all of Trident's site settings, pages, modules, languages, templates and plugins are controlled. These are called Trident Apps.
<a href="http://www.online.me/" target="_blank"><img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/61610screen21079x0.jpg" /></a>
Every app adds and changes functionality, just a building block. Users can mix and match Apps to achieve whatever type of social networking site they have in mind.
Essentially, Trident is aiming to make social network building easier for developers, designers, and administrators on the go.
For me, this level of responsiveness, flexibility, and accessibility ties in perfectly with <a href="/cms-in-2015-what-we-want-to-see/" target="_blank">what I called for from social networking space at the beginning of 2015</a>. Because Trident seems to have hit the nail on the head so well, I'm personally excited to see how this Boonex project progresses in the coming months and years.
Learn more about Trident and try out a demo by <a href="http://www.online.me/" target="_blank">visiting their website</a>.

Trident Beta Released: Build Mobile-Friendly Social Networks

To round off our featured week with <a href="http://www.agilitycms.com/http://www.agilitycms.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Agility CMS</a>, I’m taking a look at the company’s focus on its relationships with customers.
Agility CMS serves up cloud-based digital content management solutions for leading brands across the world.
Previously, Mike Johnston was able to <a href="/cms-critic-interviews-jonathan-voigt-of-agility-cms/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">interview the Founder of Agility, Jonathan Voigt</a>, before being given a <a href="/agility-cms-walkthrough-video-with-cms-critic/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sneak peek at the latest Agility project</a> due to be released later in 2015.
I then personally shone some light on the company’s <a href="/fun-fitness-community-outreach-why-working-at-agility-cms-looks-truly-awesome/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">fun-loving and charitable culture</a>, before exploring Agility’s stance on CMS <a href="/why-agility-cms-doesnt-partake-in-feature-bloating/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">“feature bloating”</a>.
For now though, it’s back to Agility’s client-centric approach.
<h2>That Personal Touch</h2>
<blockquote>“We try to add that personal touch to each interaction. Time and time again, our customers rank support high on the list of our best attributes.”</blockquote>
That’s the way Agility chooses to present itself. A content management system that actually personalises its approach for each client.
During his recent interview with Mike Johnston, Agility’s CEO and Founder Jonathan Voigt echoed this sentiment:
<blockquote>“We’re very customer centric. We work very closely with our customers to understand what their needs are, doing content architecture properly with them, and making sure that the system is configured properly.
A lot of CMS vendors will give [this job] to partners or just let you go with it, but the CMS is only as good as the implementation.”</blockquote>
Admirably though, there’s more substance to this claim than mere words. A quick look at a selection of Agility’s case studies reveal just how tailored their approaches can be.
First of all, let’s take a look at the work Agility did with Compass Group Canada. The project required complex dining plans, locations, menus, calendars, online ordering, social media integration, and more.
Yet the outcome was a resounding success thanks to Agility’s close assistance.
Another example lies in Agility’s involvement with Cineplex Entertainment. This project required Agility to exercise its technical abilities, with the website in question requiring better performance levels, scalability and language support.
Agility delivered through, giving Cineplex the ability to handle more traffic, and manage content is a more effective fashion.
<h2>Leading With Service &amp; Building Trusting Relationships</h2>
I also managed to ask Agility’s Head of Client Strategy, Brian Chung, some questions about the way Agility deals with each client.
He expanded on the way Agility feels about itself as a service provider, as well as a CMS:
What is Agility's number one aim when it comes to working with a new client?
Agility is founded upon core values important to our success – a couple of these being: Leading with Service and Building Trusting Relationships.
So with those core values driving the vision, our number one goal, really, is around being the best at Customer Satisfaction when it comes to working with new clients.
When it comes to supporting clients, how is Agility different from its competitors?
Realizing that we are competing within a fairly mature industry, it is key to have a competitive differentiator.
Many of our customers require customized solutions to meet their very specific needs, and Agility offers unparalleled support in helping each customer get the most out of their instances – from the very beginning of a project with wireframing, architecture, development, training and more.
We continue to work with customers well after a site launches and maintain strong relationships with them to help their solutions evolve.
To find out more about Agility CMS, <a href="http://www.agilitycms.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">visit their website</a>, or check them out through our <a href="/products/agility-cms/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CMS Directory</a>.

A Look At Agility CMS' Focus On Customer Relationships

As we move forward with our featured coverage of <a href="http://www.agilitycms.com/" target="_blank">Agility CMS</a>, it’s time to take a look at look at something the company’s CEO, Jonathan Voigt, calls, “Feature Bloat”.
Agility CMS provides cloud-based digital content management solutions for top brands across the globe.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/agilitypaw.jpeg" />
According to Jonathan Voigt, the feature set of any given CMS should be seen as but one dimension of the total solution — no matter how long the feature list happens to be. I’ll allow him to explain in his own words, directly from his recent interview with Mike Johnston:
<blockquote>“[One CMS will say], “we have all of these features, and another will say we [also] have all of these features.
[The problem is that] CMSs are rated on their feature sets, without looking at the bigger benefits.
People just do a feature comparison, saying, “this CMS has 200 features, I’ll go with that.”
But then you can’t even use those features because they’re either too complex or too expensive to implement.
[Instead, the customer should ask themselves], “What’s my budget, do I need support, and what’s the top few features that I need 100%?”</blockquote>
<h2>Making Great Use of a Diverse Partner List</h2>
In line with the above quote, Agility focuses more on doing what they feel they do best — building and managing great websites.
By welcoming partnerships with a range of other companies and third-party tools, Agility aims to form the best solution possible for different customers and projects each and every time.
Jillean Kearney, Agility’s Marketing Manager, explains:
<blockquote>“We partner with other companies and third party tools to get the very best in e-commerce platforms, ticketing systems and more.
This way, each solution built on Agility CMS is specifically tailored to exactly what each customer needs. Our partner network is really important to us for this very reason.”</blockquote>
These numerous partners mentioned by Jillean Kearney <a href="http://agilitycms.com/partners">can be found right here</a>.
One example can be found in the partnership between Agility and Bushfire North. Together, the two Toronto-based companies have built websites for Chapman’s Kids Club and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
Bushfire North praised Agility for its multi-lingual capabilities, cloud-based nature, scalability and its excellent level of support to the customer.
Agility have also teamed up with Point Alliance in the past, <a href="http://agilitycms.com/resources/case-study-hockey-canada">taking them as a development partner for the Hockey Canada website</a>.
Craig Cameron the Senior Manager of the Hockey Canada website also praised Agility for their support system, speed and ease of use.
<h2>A CMS First &amp; Foremost</h2>
Essentially, Agility are setting themselves apart from the rest of the herd by going without “one-size-fits-all” solutions.
Their approach has an objective of being more refined, more tailored and more about actual content management in the truest sense of the term.
To find out more about Agility CMS, <a href="http://www.agilitycms.com/" target="_blank">visit their website</a>, or check them out through our <a href="/products/agility-cms/" target="_blank">CMS Directory</a>.

Why Agility CMS Doesn’t Partake In “Feature Bloating”

Many companies across the world, both big and small, endeavour to make work as enjoyable as possible for their employees. <a href="http://www.agilitycms.com/" target="_blank">Agility</a> though, seem to be amongst the select few that are genuinely succeeding.
Agility CMS provides cloud-based digital content management solutions for top brands across the globe.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/agilitypaw.jpeg" style="max-width:500px" />
Following an <a href="/cms-critic-interviews-jonathan-voigt-of-agility-cms/" target="_blank">interesting interview</a> and a <a href="/agility-cms-walkthrough-video-with-cms-critic/" target="_blank">sneak peek at an upcoming release</a> with CEO Jonathan Voigt, Agility’s CEO, I’m taking a look at the culture that drives the Agility CMS team.
Speaking of Jonathan Voigt, here’s what he has to say about the role and quality of his employees:
<blockquote>“Agility's greatest attribute is its people. We have an amazing team that is made up of smart, passionate and committed individuals, and we're all aligned under the same goal of providing the best experiences for our customers and anyone that comes into contact with the company.”</blockquote>
Jillean Kearney, Agility’s Marketing Manager, also chimed in on what it’s like to work at Agility:
<blockquote>“Our culture is something we’re really proud of and we’re always fostering. Agility is a fun place to work. It’s a great team to be a part of.”</blockquote>
Let’s now take a look at this company culture in action.
<h2>Healthy Bodies, Healthy Software &amp; Lots of Fun</h2>
The stereotypically unhealthy tech geek staring at a screen for twenty hours straight isn’t an attractive image — nor is it a professional one. Thankfully, the software buffs at Agility CMS are helping to break the mould.
A recent Go-Karting trip for instance, is one way by which the Agility team bonds in a healthy and competitive way.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/dsc_0123_11079x0.jpg" />
The team’s <a href="http://agilitycms.com/News/What-its-Like-to-Work-at-Agility" target="_blank">participation in the Toronto Warrior Dash</a> is another example.
Made up of over three miles of tough terrain, it’s the largest obstacle race in the world. So naturally, the Agility team saw fit to conquer it together.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/before-after-warrior-dash.jpg" />
Aside from matching t-shirts, there’s nothing quite like crawling through mud to bring a team together!
<h2>A Community Conscious Company</h2>
On top of making life (and work) more pleasant for its own employees, Agility’s company culture also encompasses the wider community. Here’s how.
Four times a year, one Agility employee chooses a cause that's important to them, and the entire team rallies together to think of ways to actively help.
For example, the company recently <a href="http://agilitycms.com/News/The-Agility-Team-Donated-200-Books-to-the-Childrens-Book-Bank" target="_blank">donated 200 books to the Children’s Book Bank</a>, a charity that provides free books and literacy support to children in the city's low-income neighborhoods.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/childrens-book-bank-collection.jpg" />
On another occasion, the local Toronto Zoo received some attention as Agility fittingly adopted a Jaguar.
She’s called Zambuca, and she is apparently the coolest member of the Agility team — which isn’t something I’m going to dispute (at least not to her face).
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/zoo-zambuca.png" />
Agility also took time out to support the Leukemia &amp; Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC), participating in a “Light the Night” walk.
Amy Wong, Agility’s Technical Project Manager, sums things up nicely:
<blockquote>“It's pretty awesome to work for a company that cares as much about the community as Agility does. Not only is it good for the community, but it brings us closer together and is great for team-building.”</blockquote>
And that’s why it looks truly awesome to work for Agility. So, kudos to the entire Agility team, for both their fun-loving nature and their charitable work.
To find out more about Agility CMS, <a href="http://www.agilitycms.com/" target="_blank">visit their website</a>, or check them out through our <a href="/products/agility-cms/" target="_blank">CMS Directory</a>.

Fun, Fitness & Community Outreach: Why Working at Agility CMS Looks Truly Awesome

After an <a href="/cms-critic-interviews-jonathan-voigt-of-agility-cms/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">interview with Jonathan Voigt</a>, our featured week with <a href="http://www.agilitycms.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Agility CMS</a> is in motion.
The interview took place when Mike Johnston stopped by the Agility headquarters in Toronto, where Mr Voigt also made time to take Mike through a sneak peek of Agility CMS' latest project — including a brand new UI never publicly seen before.
If you're unfamiliar with Agility CMS, or if you're simply interested in what's in store with their latest upcoming release, then this video is for you.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UCn3zKfh0Zg?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
To find out more about Agility CMS, <a href="http://www.agilitycms.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">visit their website</a>, or check them out through our <a href="/products/agility-cms/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CMS Directory</a>.

Agility CMS: A Sneak Peek Walkthrough Video with CMS Critic

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The recent CMS Critic North American Tour saw Mike Johnston stop off at the headquarters of <a href="http://www.agilitycms.com/" target="_blank">Agility CMS</a>.
Agility provides cloud-based digital content management solutions for top brands across the globe. The Agility Team has years of experience providing top-notch solutions and professional services, and they’ve leveraged that expertise to build a flexible, powerful and intuitive CMS platform that powers websites welcoming millions of visitors per day.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/agilityteam700x0.jpg" />
After meeting with the team, Mike had a chance to sit down and chat with the CEO and Founder of Agility CMS, Jonathan Voigt.
<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NOjCDuukUFk?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
This interview kicks off yet another <a href="/featured-weeks/" target="_blank">featured week here at CMS Critic</a>, with our focus shifting totally towards Agility CMS.
To find out more about Agility CMS, <a href="http://www.agilitycms.com/" target="_blank">visit their website</a>, or check them out through our <a href="/products/agility-cms/" target="_blank">CMS Directory</a>.

CMS Critic Interviews Jonathan Voigt of Agility CMS

CS-Cart, the popular eCommerce solution, has released a newer, faster version of itself.
The platform comes in two editions; CS-Cart and CS-Cart Multi-Vendor. The latter is an extended version of the software, enabling larger outlets to manage and operate from different branches and departments via one website.
Previously, the platform was <a href="/cs-cart-offering-five-free-1-year-licenses-to-beta-testers/" target="_blank">offering Beta testers of CS-Cart 4.3.1 five free 1-year licenses</a>.
<h2>Speed, Blogging &amp; A Variety of Enhancements </h2>
Both CS-Cart and CS-Cart Multi-vendor have benefitted from this update.
Most notably, this latest version is faster than any other release before it thanks to:
<ul>
<li>SQL query optimization speeds up product search and filtering.</li>
<li>Optimized caching makes the search faster, if you call the same search twice. Storefront pages also load faster on the second visit because CS-Cart 4.3.1 caches the content during the first visit.</li>
<li>CS-Cart 4.3.1 supports <a href="http://php.net/manual/en/intro.apc.php" target="_blank">Alternative PHP Cache</a>. This technology speeds up PHP scripts on your server. Even well-optimized websites load with a delay because it takes time to execute PHP scripts. APC cache shortens this delay.</li>
<li>JavaScript code was moved to the bottom of pages so that the code doesn’t slow down page loading. Store pages now load faster on the first visit.</li>
</ul>
Additionally, a new CS-Cart <a href="http://blog.cs-cart.com/2015/03/16/blog-add-on-make-a-blog-inside-your-store/" target="_blank">Blog add-on</a> lets you create a fully functional blog inside your store. Naturally, this will help merchants to keep their customers informed by posting news and special offers.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/blogaddon.png" />
Further enhancements include importing and exporting, a user-friendly upgrade center, and more.
For more information on CS-Cart 4.3.1, <a href="http://blog.cs-cart.com/2015/04/29/cs-cart-and-multi-vendor-4-3-1-released/" target="_blank">check out the official blog announcement</a>.

CS-Cart 4.3.1 Released

Selecting a Joomla template is always a worthwhile job, especially when there are so many free and premium templates available for download. Due to the abundance of ready-made designs, sometimes it’s difficult to decide which option will meet your requirements perfectly – a free or a premium theme.
To help you understand the difference and pick the best solution for your next online project, we have decided to write this post where premium and free Joomla themes will be compared.
We will define the key benefits and drawbacks of each solution and provide several cool examples of free &amp; premium Joomla themes.
<h2>Premium Joomla Templates</h2>
There is an ongoing debate as to which type of template one should choose for one’s future website. While some prefer free Joomla templates because of their zero cost, many others are ready to pay for premium designs that offer a wider selection of features and tasty bonuses.
We will talk about free Joomla themes a little bit later in this post. First, let’s highlight the key pros and cons of premium designs.
<h3>Pros of Premium Joomla Templates</h3>
<h4>Advanced features</h4>
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/wegy.jpg" />
Compared to freemium solutions, premium Joomla themes come loaded with advanced functionality that makes it easier to manage the chosen theme on your own without investing too much time and effort.
The competition is very tough in today’s market, so, in order to be in demand among web users, developers try hard to load their templates with advanced functionality that will make them stand out from competing themes.
Here, to attract your attention and create a desire to test how the following theme works, <a href="http://www.templatemonster.com/responsive-joomla-templates/" target="_blank">TemplateMonster</a> released <a href="http://www.templatemonster.com/joomla-templates/53576.html" target="_blank">Wegy</a>, a revolutionary Joomla template that features every element you might need in order to build a business, education, electronics, software, science, industrial or a personal web site. We enumerated such a comprehensive list of industries that vary from one another for a reason.
This multipurpose Joomla template comes with an easy-to-use admin panel, advanced theme options and multiple Joomla Modules that make it easier to manage the theme in so many ways.
<a href="http://www.templatemonster.com/joomla-templates/53576.html"> View this theme </a> <a href="http://www.templatemonster.com/demo/53576.html"> Live demo </a>
<h4>Updates</h4>
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/katana.jpg" />
Joomla is a constantly updating technology, so the theme and plugins incorporated into your website should meet the latest web standards. When you decide to build your website with a premium theme, make sure that your theme provider will send you updates when they are available. It’s the responsibility of developers to deliver updated and compatible versions of their products to you on time.
Buying <a href="http://yootheme.com/demo/joomla/katana" target="_blank">Katana</a> for your web project, you will be able to select among three membership plans. Depending on your needs and purposes, you can opt for a Basic, Standard or Developer license, all of which provide technical support and regular updates as well as monthly theme releases.
<a href="http://yootheme.com/themes/buy-now"> View this theme </a> <a href="http://yootheme.com/demo/joomla/katana"> Live demo </a>
<h4>Support</h4>
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/pintex.jpg" />
Together with releasing updates, developers of premium Joomla templates provide free support to make it easier for a client to install and manage the product he or she acquired.
If you consider buying a premium Joomla template from TemplateMonster like <a href="http://www.templatemonster.com/joomla-templates/53199.html" target="_blank">Pintex</a>, for instance, you may feel confident that together with its advanced functionality and 9 functional pages (a feature that is new to premium themes from this provider) you will get free 24/7 support provided by a team of skilled professionals.
Designed to be fully responsive and cross browser compatible, the template provides a wide selection of features to make it functional from the inside and visually pleasing.
<a href="http://www.templatemonster.com/joomla-templates/53199.html"> View this theme </a> <a href="http://www.templatemonster.com/demo/53199.html"> Live demo </a>
<h4>Save your time</h4>
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/iridescent.jpg" />
By purchasing a template, you don’t need to spend time creating a design that will make your business stand out; nor would you have to sweat over coding. A team of designers and programmers will get the job done for you.
By downloading a website template you get a ready-made solution for building or updating your online resource. Just install, customize, add your content, and apply any other adjustment you might need to create a unique website that is yours.
Featuring a tile-based layout that is so trendy today, <a href="http://www.rockettheme.com/joomla/templates/iridescent" target="_blank">Iridescent</a> looks balanced and appealing. Its full-width header slider, Mega Menu and images with hover effect will add a truly elegant and stylish look to your site. Valid code and advanced functionality will make it much easier to create a desired design.
<a href="http://www.rockettheme.com/joomla/templates/iridescent"> View this theme </a> <a href="http://demo.rockettheme.com/joomla-templates/iridescent/"> Live demo </a>
<h4>Responsive design</h4>
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/globy.jpg" />
Considering the most recent Google mobile-friendly update, there is a growing trend to make your website adaptive to any screen size and resolution. In order to relieve you from the necessity of creating a separate mobile version of your website or struggle with programming a responsive framework for your website on your own, responsive Joomla themes are released. Many of them are available for public download.
<a href="http://www.templatemonster.com/joomla-templates/53528.html" target="_blank">Globy</a> is a 100% responsive premium Joomla template that will help your website run smoothly on any device. It features a one-page design with Parallax scrolling and lazy loading effects, which will not only add more interactivity to your site, but also enhance page loading.
<a href="http://www.templatemonster.com/joomla-templates/53528.html"> View this theme </a> <a href="http://www.templatemonster.com/demo/53528.html"> Live demo </a>
<h3>Cons of Premium Joomla Templates</h3>
With so many advantages it seems premium Joomla themes should have no drawbacks. However, that is not exactly accurate. Read further to see the key cons of premium Joomla templates.
<h4>Cost</h4>
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/spaghetti.jpg" />
While premium Joomla templates boast rich functionality, not every startup or beginning web developer can afford them. High price is one of the key reasons why web users have to shift to freebies.
<a href="http://www.themexpert.com/joomla-templates/spaghetti" target="_blank">Spaghetti</a>, for instance, is a premium-quality theme that runs on the latest Joomla version and has a fully responsive, dynamic and flexible layout. However, its cost is the factor that stops users from downloading the theme to their toolbox.
<a href="http://www.themexpert.com/joomla-templates/spaghetti"> View this theme </a> <a href="http://demo.themexpert.com/#spaghetti"> Live demo </a>
<h4>Unnecessary features</h4>
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/jm_fitness.jpg" />
It depends on every user and their end purpose why they decide to download this or that theme. As a rule, premium-quality designs look awesome and come loaded with a vast array of features. However, you may not need them all. You might be using one set or several sub-sets of the total number of features. All the rest will be left untouched.
<a href="https://www.joomla-monster.com/all-templates/i/13-health/128-jm-fitness" target="_blank">JM Fitness</a> is a fully-featured, multipurpose solution for creating a sport, healthy lifestyle or food related website. It is powered by a fully responsive framework and includes a number of modules and extensions to make your website look truly awesome. Slider &amp; galleries, CSS3 animation system, various font type options, collapsible module positions, commercial components, and plenty of other features are included in the package.
<a href="https://www.joomla-monster.com/all-templates/i/13-health/128-jm-fitness"> View this theme </a> <a href="http://demo.joomla-monster.com/238-jm-fitness"> Live demo </a>
<h2>Free Joomla Templates</h2>
Here comes the part where we’ll talk about the key pros &amp; cons of free Joomla themes. Once again, it’s up to you to decide which option to choose. We will highlight only the main points that make free Joomla themes worthy of your attention, or vice versa.
<h3>Pros of Free Joomla Templates</h3>
<h4>Cost</h4>
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/yougrids.jpg" />
The feature that we mentioned as a drawback of premium designs is actually a benefit of freebies. Free themes won’t cost you a penny. Just download and use.
<a href="http://www.youjoomla.com/joomla-templates/yougrids-free-joomla-template-yjsg-powered.html" target="_blank">YouGrids</a> is one of many Joomla themes that are available for free download. It is the first Joomla theme ever based on YjSimpleGrid Joomla! Template framework. Compatible with 1.5, 1.6, 1.7 and 2.5 versions of this platform, the template comes loaded with a full set of YJSG features, awesome styles and layout options.
<a href="http://www.youjoomla.com/joomla-templates/yougrids-free-joomla-template-yjsg-powered.html"> View this theme </a> <a href="http://joomlatemplates.youjoomla.info/yougrids/"> Live demo </a>
<h4>Settings and configurations</h4>
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/td_optes.jpg" />
Different theme providers release freemium Joomla themes that vary in the amount of settings and configurations. It’s possible to find a design that you can download at no cost and get functionality similar to the one of premium themes. As the proverb says, “all good things come to those who wait”, so keep searching and you will find a freebie that meets your needs.
<a href="http://www.joomlatd.com/joomla-templates/free-templates/view_document/59-td-optes-free.html" target="_blank">TD Optes</a> is one of those free Joomla templates that boasts a vast array of options and modules that should make it easier to build a competitive web resource at no cost.
<a href="http://www.joomlatd.com/joomla-templates/free-templates/view_document/59-td-optes-free.html"> View this theme </a> <a href="http://demo3.joomlatd.com/?template=td_optes"> Live demo </a>
<h4>Stylish appearance</h4>
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/ulmus.jpg" />
Though most free templates have a rather common design, some of them have quite an outstanding appearance, for instance <a href="http://www.templatemonster.com/interior-furniture-free-joomla-template.html" target="_blank">Ulmus</a>.
This is a free Joomla theme for an interior and furniture website that was designed with the latest web design trends in mind. For instance, it features a full-width layout with a grid-based structure, ghost elements, parallax scrolling and lazy load effects, large and vivid social sharing options, etc. It is built in a clean and minimalist style, which makes it easier to navigate through its pages.
<a href="http://www.templatemonster.com/interior-furniture-free-joomla-template.html"> View this theme </a> <a href="http://www.templatemonster.com/demo/52986.html"> Live demo </a>
<h4>Access to forums</h4>
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/recycle.jpg" />
It’s more the exception than the rule, but some template developers provide access to community forums to help you with the setup and modification of the chosen theme.
This is the case with <a href="https://www.joomlashack.com/free-joomla-templates/recycle-free-ecological" target="_blank">Recycle</a>, a free Joomla theme that comes with access to a Community Forum where every client can find answers to questions about installation and customization of Joomla themes.
<a href="https://www.joomlashack.com/free-joomla-templates/recycle-free-ecological"> View this theme </a> <a href="http://recycle.joomlatemplate.joomlashack.com/"> Live demo </a>
<h3>Cons of Free Joomla Templates</h3>
<h4>No support</h4>
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/vina_fashion_ii.jpg" />
Unlike premium templates, freemium templates don’t come with any warranty or support. All you get is a pack with detailed documentation on installation and modification of your Joomla theme.
So, when downloading <a href="http://vinagecko.com/joomla-templates/item/111-vina-fashion-ii" target="_blank">Vina Fashion II</a> don’t expect it to come with top-notch personalized support.
<a href="http://vinagecko.com/joomla-templates/item/111-vina-fashion-ii"> View this theme </a> <a href="http://templates.vinagecko.com/?template=vina_fashion"> Live demo </a>
<h4>Common design</h4>
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/sj_joomla3.jpg" />
Most free themes have a rather common design. So, if you are looking for a solution that will help you create a unique website or a blog, then a free theme isn’t what you need if you wish to leave your competitors behind.
<a href="http://www.smartaddons.com/blog/item/345-sj-joomla3-free-template-for-joomla-3x" target="_blank">SJ Joomla3</a> is one of those common free Joomla designs that we often come across on the web. However, if your goal is building an online resource with the main emphasis on content rather than web design elements, then this could be the right option for you.
<a href="http://www.smartaddons.com/blog/item/345-sj-joomla3-free-template-for-joomla-3x"> View this theme </a> <a href="http://demo.smartaddons.com/templates/joomla3/sj-joomla3/"> Live demo </a>
<h4>Limited functionality</h4>
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/td_combeta.jpg" />
Lastly, there are a few theme providers who release freebies with extended functionality. If you want more features, you will need to pay extra cash in order to add more functional elements to your work.
<a href="http://www.joomlatd.com/joomla-templates/free-templates/view_document/16-td-combeta.html" target="_blank">Td Combeta</a> features a Flash header, Google fonts, Dropdown menu, manageable layouts, and basically that’s all.
<a href="http://www.joomlatd.com/joomla-templates/free-templates/view_document/16-td-combeta.html"> View this theme </a> <a href="http://joomla5.joomlatd.com/?mod_change_template_99=td_combeta&amp;&amp;template=td_combeta"> Live demo </a>
Which option will you choose for your website or a blog? Do freebies attract you more than premium templates? Feel free to let us know your opinion by leaving a comment below this post.

Free & Premium Joomla Templates: A Comparison

<a href="https://ghost.org/" target="_blank">Ghost</a> isn't exactly brand new anymore, but it's definitely still an exciting project.
The free and cloud-hosted blogging platform is attracting bloggers from far and wide with its snazzy interface and welcoming attitude. The platform was even crowned as the <a href="/2014-most-promising-cms/" target="_blank">2014 Critics' Choice Award Winner for Most Promising CMS</a>.
However, as feature-rich as Ghost is, there's always been something quite fundamental missing from its otherwise awesome content editor. A spull chack. I mean spell check.
<h2>General Tweaks &amp; Built-in Spell Check</h2>
Ghost have introduced mobile image uploads, more responsive scrolling and a fix to stop the cursor getting lost when navigating with keyboard arrows.
Oh, and Ghost's built-in spell check function now finally works.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/editor-upgrade.png" />
This update seems subtle, but Ghost insist that it took a massive under-the-hood overhaul to achieve. In the end though, the general Ghost use-base won't notice much of a difference.
Ghost's founder John O'Nolan summed it up by  saying, “[It's] basically the same editor that you’re used to writing with, it just sucks a lot less.”
Find out more about <a href="http://blog.ghost.org/ghost-spellcheck/" target="_blank">Ghost's slyly improved eidtor</a>.
<h2>Lifting The Lid on Two Years of Spending</h2>
April 29th 2013 was when Ghost went live on Kickstarter, eventually raking in $300,000 worth of funding.
In line with Ghost's extremely open and friendly attitude towards all that use and consider it, the team behind the platform have decided to expose their entire two year's worth of spending — in detail.
You can see <a href="http://blog.ghost.org/year-2/" target="_blank">where all the pennies went right here</a>.
Otherwise, be sure to explore more of <a href="/products/ghost/" target="_blank">Ghost via our CMS Directory</a>.

Ghost Upgrades Content Editor & Reveals Spending Details

Considered to be one of the biggest names in eCommerce industry, <a href="/products/bigcommerce">Bigcommerce</a> has just released an interesting new feature, named Bigcommerce Insights.<a href="/products/bigcommerce">Bigcommerce</a> already has an analytics system in place for its merchants, but the platform seeks to add a whole new layer of effectivity through the introduction of Insights.According to Bigcommerce, “Bigcommerce Insights is a brand new premium report in Bigcommerce Analytics that automatically interprets your product and customer data, and then delivers actionable recommendations you can use to improve your business. Like your very own data analyst, Insights works for your store, helping you to identify opportunities to drive more revenue. “<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/main-insights.png" /><h2>Marketers Rejoice</h2>Clearly, this new feature is one for the marketers among Bigcommerce's user base.The added performance metrics will help marketers make better decisions about their campaigns, while recommended actions will only make life easier.Here's a break down of all the new features that come with Bigcommerce Insights.<h3>Product Insights</h3><ul><li>Products to Improve: Among your most visited products, these are your worst converters.</li><li>Rockstar Products: These are your most visited, best-converting products.</li><li>Non-Sellers: These products are not selling at all.</li><li>Most Discounted Products: See the performance of your discounted products.</li><li>Hot Products: These products had the most revenue growth from the week prior.</li><li>Cold Products: These products had the largest revenue drop from the week prior.</li><li>Products Purchased Together: For each of your top-selling products, this shows the related product with which it is most frequently sold.</li></ul><h3>Customer Insights</h3><ul><li>Best Customers: These recent customers purchase often and spend the most.</li><li>Customers at Risk: These are high-value customers who last ordered between 30-365 days ago.</li><li>Repeat Purchase Rate: The percentage of customers who made a repeat purchase, and how long in between orders repeat purchases take place.</li><li>Best Products for Repeat Purchase: Customers who purchased these products were most likely to purchase again.</li><li>Viewed But Did Not Purchase: These customers viewed the same product more than once but didn’t purchase.</li><li>Customer LTV (Lifetime Value): This is the average amount the customer has spent by a certain point after registering.</li><li>Best Full Price Customers: These are your customers that buy even without discounts.</li><li>Low AOV Customers: These are customers who are in the top 20% for orders but lowest 20% for spending.</li></ul><h3>Abandoned Cart &amp; Marketing Insights</h3><ul><li>Most Abandoned Products: These products have the most associated abandoned carts.</li><li>Customer LTV By Channel: This report shows which marketing channel brings customers with the highest lifetime value.</li></ul>You can read more about <a target="_blank" href="http://blog.bigcommerce.com/bigcommerce-insights/">Bigcommerce Insights via the official blog announcement</a>.Also, be sure to explore more of <a href="/products/bigcommerce">Bigcommerce via our CMS Directory</a>. Plus, you can check out our <a href="/bigcommerce-review/">Bigcommerce review right here</a>.

Bigcommerce Bolsters Built-in Analytics With Insights

By delivering over 10,000 videos across client websites, <a href="http://www.uscreen.tv/" target="_blank">Uscreen</a> has already gained plenty of traction despite only launching in 2013.
Now though, the platform has its eyes firmly set on the video subscription market.
Uscreen is adopting a slightly new direction to provide video vendors the opportunity to monetize their content in a simple, yet successfully proven way.
Here’s a short video demonstrating the capabilities of Uscreen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzcX2qFNvKc
<h2>Start a Video Subscription Website With Your Content</h2>
Uscreen enables you to create a digital storefront, similar to that of most other eCommerce websites, along with a fully-functioning subscription service, giving members access to all video content.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/uscreen_library.png" />
Thi allows merchants to sell videos individually, or offer their videos in bulk for members to enjoy with a monthly subscription. Naturally, these models work well for both movie makers and lesson teachers alike.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of Uscreen’s core features:
<ul>
<li>Uscreen enables users to setup your own “NetFlix-style” Subscription/Membership Website.</li>
<li>Users can custom White label native Mobile apps for iOS &amp; Android.</li>
<li>Merchants can fully white label the platform on the web.</li>
<li>Security &amp; DRM Protected.</li>
<li>Includes cloud hosting of videos.</li>
<li>Built in LMS (Learning Management System) features such as Testing &amp; Certifications, Scheduling, Courses, Progress Reports. </li>
<li>Chapter Menu Setup</li>
<li>Chapters can include Videos, Audio (Podcasts), PDF’s, Links to websites</li>
<li>Android apps make the viewing experience more enjoyable, and videos more accessible.</li>
</ul>
The flexibility of Uscreen (which comes thanks to LMS features as well as video subscription and eCommerce functionality), means that its uses are many.
Essentially, the emergence of Uscreen means that amateur film makers can now sell access to their work, while professionals from all industries can begin sharing their knowledge via video in a profitable manner.
<img src="https://cmscritic.com/ms-content/uploads/2023/08/ipad_chapters.png" />
Uscreen even gives YouTube and Vine celebrities a new avenue to explore for their own blossoming careers.
Furthermore, Uscreen’s mobile and app features mean that companies and individuals can stretch their presence to customer’s smartphones and tablets without needing to resort to another tool.
<h2>Pricing</h2>
Uscreen’s pricing structure, which starts from $49.95 per month plus a 15% revenue share, doesn’t freeze out startups or small businesses.
In fact, Uscreen’s pricing places it as a uniquely professional video selling and streaming service for the masses.
To find out more about Uscreen, <a href="http://www.uscreen.tv/" target="_blank">visit their website</a>.
Also, we have a complete review of Uscreen in the works, so stay tuned for a more thorough breakdown of the platform by yours truly.

Set up Your Own Video Subscription Website With Uscreen

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