So, you’re running a small business—or just started one—and everyone keeps asking, “Do you have a website?”
And you’re like, “Well, I have a Facebook page…”
Nope. Not enough. In 2025, your business needs a proper website. One that looks professional, works on phones, shows up on Google, and most importantly… doesn’t eat your entire budget.
Now I know what you’re thinking: “I’m not a web developer. I can’t afford thousands for a custom site.”
What if I told you that you can build a modern, professional, mobile-ready website for the price of a pizza?
Okay, maybe two pizzas. But that’s it.
In this article, I’ll show you how to build a real business website with Joomla! 5, install a few free extensions (no hidden “pro” versions here), and get everything running like a pro without writing a single line of code.
Do You Really Need to Know How to Code to Build a Business Website?
Short answer? Absolutely not.
Long answer? Still no, but let’s break it down.
Gone are the days when building a website meant hiring a developer, buying expensive software, and spending weeks figuring out how HTML and CSS work. Today, open-source platforms like Joomla! 5 give you all the tools you need to create a sleek, professional website—without needing to touch a single line of code.
But let’s be real—just because you can doesn’t always mean it’s easy. There are still a few things you’ll need to understand (don’t worry, I’ll walk you through all of them). You won’t be building Facebook or Amazon here, but a clean, functional website with contact info, map, form, and even a cookie notice? Totally doable.
So what do you need?
No coding skills.
No design experience.
No monthly subscriptions.
Just a bit of time, curiosity, and the will to click around a dashboard until it makes sense.
Oh—and a few key tools that we’ll cover in the next sections. Ready? Let’s keep going.
Your Only Investment: Hosting with Auto Installer + a Domain
Let’s talk money or rather, how little of it you actually need.
To get your professional business site up and running, you only need two things that cost actual cash:
A domain name – that’s your website address (like mybusiness.com). You can grab one for around $10–15 per year, depending on the provider.
A hosting plan – this is the server where your website will live. But here’s the trick: pick shared hosting with a built-in auto-installer (like Softaculous), and your life will be so much easier. No technical headaches, just a few clicks and Joomla! 5 is live.
We’re talking about spending maybe $20–30 total to get online. No subscriptions, no premium builder platforms draining your budget month after month.
Most popular hosting companies already offer one-click Joomla! installations. That means no uploading files manually, no setting up databases by hand, and definitely no panic Googling “how to install CMS without losing my mind.”
So yes, the only real investment here is the hosting + domain combo. That’s your digital real estate and your front door. The rest? Open-source and 100% free. Let’s move on to the fun part actually installing Joomla! 5.
Installing Joomla! 5 (Yes, It’s Just a Few Clicks)
Ready to build your empire? Time to unleash the power of Joomla! 5 and guess what? You don’t need to be a developer or some basement hacker to get it running.
If your hosting includes an auto-installer (like Softaculous, Installatron, or whatever they named it to sound cool), here’s how easy it is:
Log in to your hosting panel (usually cPanel).
Find the magical section labeled “Auto Installer” or “Apps Installer.”
Type Joomla in the search bar.
Hit Install, give your site a name, set an admin login, click submit.
Boom. Joomla! 5 is alive.
This latest version is packed with features, runs smoother than ever, and is future-proof. The installer even lets you choose your language and pre-fill some demo content if you’re just getting started.
No uploading zip files. No tweaking php.ini. No calling your cousin who once built a WordPress blog in 2014.
Joomla! 5 is made for people who want professional results without diving into a rabbit hole of tech confusion. And since it’s free and open-source, you’re not stuck with some freemium nonsense where features unlock only after a monthly payment.
You’re now just minutes away from your own business website. Let’s keep going next up: why Joomla! 5 is actually a great choice (and not just because it sounds cool).
Why Joomla! 5? (And No, It’s Not Just for Nerds)
So, why Joomla! and not one of those other platforms that everyone on Reddit argues about? Here’s the deal: Joomla! 5 is like that quiet genius in class doesn’t scream for attention, but absolutely delivers when it matters.
Let’s break it down like a Spotify playlist:
It’s free and open-source – You pay nothing, and you’re not locked into weird paid extensions or shady upsells. No “Pro version required” messages halfway through.
Fast, modern, lightweight – Joomla! 5 is built on a clean codebase with PHP 8+ support and cutting-edge performance improvements. It’s lean, it’s mean, and it’s optimized out of the box.
Secure and stable – Joomla! has built-in two-factor authentication, powerful user permissions, and is known for its tight security model. You’re not relying on a dozen plugins just to keep bots out.
Flexible with zero limits – Whether you’re creating a portfolio, blog, service site, or full-blown e-commerce, Joomla can handle it. And it does it cleanly. Want to build your own page layouts? Modules, plugins, overrides all there.
Multilingual from day one – Planning to reach international clients? Joomla! comes with multilingual support baked in no extra plugins needed.
No bloat – Joomla! 5 gives you exactly what you need, and nothing more. Clean admin panel, solid content tools, and extensibility without the chaos.
So no, Joomla! isn’t “that other CMS” it’s a real, powerful alternative built for people who want control without complexity. It’s like owning the kitchen instead of waiting for takeout.
Installing DC Map – Because Clients Need to Know Where You Live (Well, Your Business At Least)
Alright, so you’ve got your Joomla! 5 site up and running high five! But now what? Your potential clients land on your site and immediately wonder: “Is this business even real?” Time to show them you exist in the physical realm.
That’s where DC Map comes in.
This lightweight, totally free Joomla module adds a sleek, mobile-friendly Google Map to your site. It’s not one of those clunky embeds that look like they came straight from the early 2000s this one’s modern, responsive, and customizable.
Why use DC Map?
Fully responsive – Looks great on phones, tablets, laptops, and grandma’s old desktop.
Customizable design – Change colors, zoom level, and map style to match your brand vibe.
Multiple pins – Got more than one office or location? No problem DC Map can handle it.
Easy to configure – No coding. Just enter your coordinates and boom you’re live on the map.
And the best part?
It’s 100% free and open-source, created by a developer (shout-out to Pawel Nosko) who believes in giving back to the Joomla community.
You can grab it straight from the official Joomla Extensions Directory:
👉 Download DC Map
No ads, no “buy the pro version to unlock this button,” just pure map magic. Perfect for small businesses, freelancers, or anyone who wants to look a little more legit online.
Installing DC Cookies – Because Even Your Website Needs to Say “Hi, We Use Cookies”
Let’s be honest. Nobody likes cookie banners.
But if you want your website to play by EU rules (and avoid a potential slap on the wrist from regulators), you need one. The good news? Joomla! has a free, lightweight solution that doesn’t make you want to throw your laptop out the window.
Meet DC Cookies – a dead-simple, 100% free plugin that adds a stylish cookie consent panel to your Joomla 5 site. No subscriptions, no nags, no hidden “pro” versions. Just install, configure, and breathe that sweet legal-compliance air.
What makes DC Cookies actually good?
Fully customizable – Change colors, button styles, text, icons, and more. Make it match your site or make it loud and proud.
Easy content management – Add your privacy policy link, edit the panel text, and even drop in your own image (yes, you can use a cookie emoji).
Responsive – Works beautifully on mobile and desktop.
Simple setup – No coding. No bloated settings. Just toggle, type, and go.
Best of all, this plugin was created by the same developer behind DC Map Paweł Nosko and like all his extensions, it’s approved by Joomla’s official team. You can install it directly from the JED:
👉 Download DC Cookies: extensions.joomla.org/extension/site-management/cookie-control/dc-cookies/
Think of it as your “I’m a responsible website owner” badge. And trust me, your SEO, legal standing, and credibility will thank you for it.
Installing Convert Forms – Because Contact Forms Shouldn’t Feel Like Rocket Science
Let’s be real: if your website doesn’t have a contact form, does it even exist?
A well-designed form is your direct line to customers whether they want to ask a question, send feedback, or beg you to take their money. The problem? Many form builders are either clunky, bloated, or hide basic features behind a paywall.
That’s where Convert Forms steps in.
This extension is hands-down one of the easiest and most powerful form builders for Joomla. Even better? It has a free version that gives you all the essentials to build beautiful, responsive, and functional forms without writing a single line of code.
Why use Convert Forms?
Drag-and-drop builder – Create forms visually in minutes. Add text fields, checkboxes, dropdowns, email inputs you name it.
Mobile-friendly by default – Your forms look great on any device.
Email notifications – Get notified the moment someone hits “Send.”
Spam protection – Google reCAPTCHA support built-in.
Styling options – Match the form with your brand (even in the free version).
Whether you need a simple “Contact Us” form or a multi-step sales inquiry Convert Forms has your back.
To install it:
Go to your Joomla admin panel.
Navigate to Extensions > Install > Install from Web.
Search for Convert Forms and hit Install.
Once installed, go to Components > Convert Forms and start building your form.
And just like that, your brand-new, free, and fully-functional business website is ready to make connections.
So, should you hire a developer or pay monthly fees to get a contact form? Nope. Just get Convert Forms and get on with building your empire.
Read Also: Trends Transforming Small Business Recruitment Technology
Final Thoughts – Yes, You Can Build a Business Website for Free (And It Doesn’t Have to Look Like It)
Look, the days of needing a five-figure budget to build a professional business website are over. If you’ve followed along, you now know it’s entirely possible to launch a sleek, responsive, and legally compliant site without spending a single euro on software.
You just need:
A reliable hosting plan with an auto-installer,
A domain name,
And a little open-source magic (a.k.a. Joomla! 5).
We threw in some totally free extensions from the Joomla Extensions Directory:
DC Map for showing where you are,
DC Cookies to stay on the right side of the law,
Convert Forms to let people actually contact you.
No subscriptions. No hidden “Pro” versions. No nonsense.
If you’re still hesitating, ask yourself this: What’s stopping you from putting your business online today?
Seriously you’ve got the tools, you’ve got the know-how, and you’ve got no excuses.
Now go out there and build it. Your future customers are already Googling you.
