Ski resort using Joomla

As there is 15 to 20cm of snow forecast tonight in the Alps I decided to look at the ski resorts closest to home to decide where to go snowboarding tomorrow. While looking at the ski resorts websites I realised that Les 7 Laux, a resort I was at last week, is running on Joomla.

Is using Joomla a good platform for a ski resort like Les 7 Laux to use? Are they using Joomla well?

Is Joomla a good platform for a ski resort like Les 7 Laux?

Using a CMS (content management system) is a good idea if you have content that needs updating regularly. Using a CMS like Joomla means that a company can set the site up and let the owner update it themselves.

For ski resorts like Les 7 Laux, Joomla is an ideal platform because the resort needs to do daily updates about ski conditions. They also need the flexibility to be able to update ski-pass prices, add pages about special events at the resort etc.

Is Les 7 Laux using Joomla well?

Good points

• Nice template.
• Good use of a rotating flash banner with stunning photos.
• Installed a component which creates search engine friendly URLs.
• Integrated webcams views of the resort into Joomla.
• Possibility of booking accommodation online.
• Both English and French version of the website.

Bad points

• Page titles are not good. (They are using site name followed by page name, they should use page name only).
• Meta keywords and descriptions are the same across the website. (It would be better to have no keywords and descriptions rather than using the same across the site).
• No sitemap.
• Using a forum which is not integrated into Joomla.

Quick fix solutions

• Installing and configuring the SEF patch extended component from Joomlatwork.com would help them to address their title, keyword and description problems.
• Installing the Joomap component would enable them to have a sitemap and submit an XML sitemap to Google webmasters.
• Using a forum that integrates into Joomla such as Fireboard would keep the users inside the site.

Conclusion

Les 7 Laux have done well to choose Joomla as their website's platform but need to address their weaknesses in terms of SEO.

What do you think of how Les 7 Laux are using Joomla? Do you know of any other ski resorts which are using Joomla?

Ouh February 04, 2008 Votes: +0	Joomla is pretty cool Nice photos report abuse vote down vote up

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