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Wordpress or Joomla – Which CMS Platform ?

by | Last updated: Dec 6, 2022

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WordPress or Joomla – Which CMS is right for you?

People ask which CMS Content Management System and is it Open Source or Proprietary. Which one will we be able to use with our skill set ? The basic difference between WordPress and Joomla is that Joomla is a portal or community type site while WordPress is ostensibly an easy to use blog tool, but each has a whole library of plugins available. So either will work, therefore it is down to which platform you or your chosen web agency likes best.

Wordpress Advantages

MeanIT Joomla & Wordpress

Wordpress established since 2003 is more for the small to medium size business market, whereas Joomla or Drupal would be aimed more at a slightly bigger or enterprise business market. Wordpress would now have more commercially developed plugins or add-ons, than the other two. If you want to create a community or a network with a membership area, newsroom, forums, articles, input from external authors etc… then Joomla would have been a very good choice, up until recently, because it is made to be that way. Creating and restructuring site navigation is easy, once you get your head around how it works

The big advantage with Wordpress in 2018 is still that it is a blog type platform, so Google at this moment loves it. Wordpress is ostensibly a multi faceted Blogging tool, so it works well, if you just intend to consistently publish or Blog. Wordpress can be set up fast and listed in Google within a few days. Joomla takes 10 to 14 days or less by using SEO plugin tools. Standard HTML sites can take 4 to 6 weeks to rank in Google. Wordpress is very popular in the States where its popularity breeds more users, with over 70 million sites already or 30% of all websites. Plugins that are being developed for Wordpress make it better all the time, allowing it offer better choices every day. If you are used to Wordpress, then try to stick with what you know, if you can get it to do what you need it to do.

Plus Points
Ideal for simple content informational sites, blogs or brochure sites.
Easy to get set up.
Loads of Design themes available, FREE and Premium – Tip: always buy a Premium theme and get support for it
Has big Community of supporting developers, loads of help & support material
Open source and popular
Can sell items online using PayPal rather than a full blown shop or WooCommerce as a plugin for eCommerce
Has a good eCommerce plugin called WooCommerce
More and more good plugins are becoming available and existing ones are excellent, such as:

Top Wordpress Plugins

1. Yoast for SEO and Yoast for Analytics
2. Akismet Spam Blocker
3. Gravity Forms
4. W3 Total Cache or WPRocket to speed up your site. Use Google libraries.
5. Jetpack for social sharing
6. CoSchedule calendar plugin
7. WooCommerce for eCommerce
8. Updraft for backups
9. Redirection for 301s
10 Optin Monster for optins obviously
11. Google XML sitemaps
12. Wordfence for security
13. Share this or ShareBar
14. eMember for Membership sites
15. Next Gen or Foo for Gallery
16. WP Polls for taking feedback
17. WP DBManage to do just that
18. VaultPress for backups
19. Mailchimp for Newsletters
20. ManageWP – if you have more than one site to manage

Remember that too many plugins slow down your site and you need to ensure that they all play nicely together, especially when one gets a version update. Monitor this continuously.  The fewer plugins you use the less hassle you get.

Best hosting for Wordpress – Siteground

Useful Wordpress tools and training include: WPBeginner

Disadvantages of Wordpress

The navigational structure is determined by the layout template you chose and beyond that requires knowledge of scripting language and CSS – as in you need a technician.
Categories and ordering can be somewhat cumbersome, everything has to be changed by hand, whereas in Joomla sorting can be controlled globally or individually, if you have a good understanding of Joomla.
Its pages, posts and categories are fixed, not dynamic like Joomla or Drupal.
WordPress has no native multi-lingual capability, but requires a 3rd party plugin.
Because it is easy to get started, many people say they are Website developers, but have a very basic skillset, so always look for proof of prior work and testimonials

Negative points
Regular updates which need to be done to keep it secure and you must update it to keep it secure – must be done regularly
Not good for customised sites or some Social Media plugins
Sizeable Media files can cause issues – so be make sure that any file sizes are kept small
Plugs-ins can cause issues if not regularly updated
Needs competent trained person to manage many plugins and update them
Like any CMS there is a learning curve, but there is plenty of online support, video tutorials and Facebook Groups

Joomla Php

Sometimes, it is down to what you are familiar with and that decides which CMS you use. Joomla, like Wordpress, has many plugins available to enhance it and allow it evolve with your business. Joomla is very popular although Wordpress is growing bigger by the day.

Plus Points
Ideal for large content informational sites as well as simpler blogs or Brochure sites.
Has a good Community of supporting developers, loads of video and blogs and books
Open source and popular, especially with well qualified developers
Very robust
Very customisable
Can sell items online using PayPal and Realex or large Gateways and Hikashop is a good eCommerce plugin option

Negative points
Not so easy to get set up other than by a practised hand.
Regular updates which need to be done to keep it secure
Must update it to keep it secure
Needs competent trained person to manage – again there is quite a learning curve
Losing popularity to Wordpress amongst the developers and the app developers too

Bottom line

When it comes down to it, use the tool that you understand or where you have good competent support. Discuss it with your support or chosen web agency before you decide. Use of a tool that you do not understand will not be good. At the same time, you, as a business manager, have to use a platform that will be able to grow as you do, to avoid starting all over again, which is also a SEO nightmare.

Themes
Both platforms offer free or inexpensive Themes or Designs, such as Theme Forest, Elegant Themes or Yoothemes They work well if you find one you like, without having to tweak it too much. Otherwise, find one you like and get a Graphic Designer to do a Custom Graphic Design Mockup using that theme and design elements, before you ask a developer to do anything. Some themes come with the CMS and others are available at a small fee. The smaller the fee, the more basic the theme. The higher priced or Premium themes come with more bells and whistles and the vendors usually provide a better interface too, as well as regular updates and support.

A CMS (Content Management System) is a complete easy to use web-marketing solution for any business or enterprise. Putting you in control.

Text can be formatted with a simple to use WYSIWYG editor, very like Microsoft Word, designed with the user in mind, making it very user friendly, so people with basic IT knowledge can edit and update the website. All you need is internet access. No IT Guy, No coding needed. Available as a .Net, Joomla PHP or Wordpress option.

Need something heavier for Enterprise solutions ?

DrupalMEANit Drupal

Not for the faint hearted, but robust and more secure. Its modular, lego-like construction makes it easy to manipulate when you get the skills.

Plus Points
Open source and popular.
Ideal for simple content informational sites, blogs or Brochure sites.
Module & Extension rich so a qualified developer can generate functionality
Has big Community of supporting developers
Easy to get set up.
SEO plugins very good

Negative points
Needs very competent trained person to manage – not for any faint hearted end user
eCommerce works, but not smooth, unless again in the right hands, meaning an IT person
Custom Forms a must
Developers need to spend a lot of time in it to become competent
Integrating APIs tricky unless again in the right hands meaning an IT person
Needs competent trained person to manage – worth repeating – Needs competent trained person to manage

.NetMEANit .net

The ideal Enterprise solution for Windowsers, strong, supported and malleable.

Plus Points
User Friendly interface with simple Front End editing
Customizable for any requirements and complex features
Fast, smooth, dependable, robust and scalable from SME to Corportate
eCommerce catalogue and cart very slick
large numbers of database enquiries not a problem
3rd Party Apps no problem
Ideal solution for Small Business sites, up to loaded Enterprise systems, social networks, content rich sites, informational portals and music sales sites
Negative points
Custom built so it takes more time to develop customised sites.
Only competent .Net Developer can customise
Competent .Net developers need to learn the back-end – allow for a learning curve

Conclusions

All CMS have Negative points:
Developed by third-parties– customising takes time and money when you step out of pre fabricated templates
Developers find it hard to quantify time required before they step on to the battlefield, so be prepared for extras
Support can be patchy, so only use a Developer who is competent in whichever platform is used.
Cost goes up every time a Client asks for modifications just like building a house – plan for overruns
Warning: Plugin conflicts – with every plugin your use, you create another potential weak point for hackers to abuse or which can simple stop working with other elements in the site. Anybody can write a plugin and make it openly available, with testing or review. Keep plugins to a minimum and check them regularly for exploits. Avoid the lure of freebies.
Tip: Make sure that you get Admin or Administrator control for your website, your hosting and your domain name www mysitename.com Have these in your name and on your credit card. Otherwise the developer or designer will have control over you. Treat these as you would treat the deeds of your house.

Useful Links
What is a CMS Content Management System? HERE
Siteground Joomla Tutorial HERE
Siteground Wordpress Tutorial  HERE

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MEANit-Web-Design-Agency-Michael-MacGinty

Written by Michael MacGinty

Michael is a well known speaker, author and coach on SEO and how to use the web to grow a business. He is also WP Elevation certified as a Digital Business Consultant.

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Google Local Services Ads Ireland- How LSAs Work, Eligibility and Setup

When consumers look for jobs locally, Google Local Services Ads, also known as LSAs, help ‘qualified’ and ‘verified’ local service companies show up prominently. For construction and home-service firms in Ireland, that can mean more high-intent calls and messages from people ready to book.

Unlike standard Google Ads, LSAs are built around leads rather than clicks. Trust signals, reviews and quick response times are just as important as exposure because customers can get in touch with a company immediately from the LSA advertisement.

The opportunity is not equal across the board. Construction businesses are the clearest LSA fit in Ireland today. Financial and legal firms still need to pay closer attention to standard Google Ads, policy compliance, local SEO and Google Business Profile because LSA availability in Ireland is category-specific, is ever changing and should not be assumed.

This guide explains how Google Local Services Ads work in Ireland, who can use them, what Google Verified means, how Google LSAs sign up works, where to find Google LSAs login and the Google LSA dashboard, what Google Local Services Ads cost, and when construction, financial and legal businesses should use other Google channels instead.

What are Google Local Services Ads?

Google Local Services Ads are a lead focused Google ad format for eligible local service business categories. They appear near the top of search results and let people call or message a business directly from the ad. You will see the ad in the map stack as an ad along with the top three listed companies.

That prominent location matters because LSAs target users who are often ready to book, request a quote or speak to a provider now. Instead of paying for traffic and hoping your website converts, you are generally paying for genuine enquiries.

For construction and trade businesses, that can make LSAs a strong lead generation channel. For financial and legal firms, the more important takeaway is understanding where LSAs stop and where standard Google Ads and local SEO begin. Legal and Financial categories are considered as YMYL Your Money Your Life, so Google is less likely to allow you use LSAs.

How do Local Services Ads work in Ireland?

When someone searches for a local service, Google may show a Local Services Ads unit or box above or near the standard local results. That unit highlights businesses that match the search, service category and geographic service area.

Users can click a profile, compare providers, call or send a message. Performance depends on service fit, location coverage, review strength, responsiveness, bidding and profile quality, so simply signing up is not enough.Unlike Google Ads you cannot outbid people for LSAs.

For Irish construction firms, this can work particularly well for services with strong local intent, such as plumbing, electrical work, roofing, cleaning, flooring, landscaping and general contracting. For legal and financial firms in Ireland, LSA availability is not currently something you should assume, so broader search strategy remains essential through standard Google Ads.

What is the Google Verified badge and why does it matter?

Google presents Local Services Ads with the Google Verified badge. This shows that a business has completed Google’s screening and verification process for the programme.

That extra layer of trust matters because many users decide who to contact before they ever visit a website. For a construction business competing for urgent or emergency local work, the badge can help increase confidence or trust quickly.

For legal and financial brands, trust and compliance are central to Google visibility. Even where LSAs are not the right vehicle, strong verification, accurate business information, reviews and policy compliance still matter in any form of Google Ad strategy.

Which businesses can use LSAs in Ireland in 2026

At the time of writing, March 2026, Google Local Services Ads in Ireland are focused on selected home service and trade categories rather than all local businesses.

Current supported LSA categories in Ireland include:

  • appliance repair services
  • carpenters
  • carpet cleaning services
  • cleaning services
  • countertop services
  • electricians
  • fencing services
  • flooring services
  • foundations services
  • garage door services
  • general contractor services
  • handyman services
  • home inspection services
  • HVAC services
  • junk removal services
  • landscaping services
  • lawn care services
  • moving services
  • pest control services
  • plumbers
  • pool cleaning services
  • pool contracting services
  • roofers
  • siding services
  • snow removal services
  • tree services
  • water damage services
  • window cleaning services
  • window repair services

For legal and financial businesses, you can assume that LSAs are not currently available in Ireland. In practice, firms in those sectors usually need to focus on standard Google Ads, Google Business Profile, local SEO, E-E-A-T signals, reviews, service-page quality and sector-specific policy compliance instead.

What do you need before you can run LSAs?

The starting point is a public, verified Google Business Profile. Without that, you are not ready to run Local Services Ads.

Google may also require identity checks, business registration checks, insurance checks, licence checks or other screening steps, depending on your category and location. To avoid delays, make sure your business details, documents and Google Business Profile match exactly before you start.

This is especially important for construction firms, where trade licences, insurance details and category accuracy can affect approval speed. For regulated financial and legal sectors, consistency and compliance are equally important across all Google advertising activity, even outside LSAs.

How do Google LSAs sign up work?

The LSA sign-up is more rigorous than standard ads to ensure you qualify for the Google Verified badge.

  • Eligibility Check: Visit the LSA Sign-up Page and enter your postcode and service category.
  • Profile Sync: Enter your business details. Ensure these match your Google Business Profile exactly to speed up approval.
  • Define Scope: Select your specific services (e.g., “Boiler Repair”) and your target areas by town or postcode.
  • Set Budget: Choose a weekly budget based on your desired lead volume. Remember: you only pay for actual enquiries.
  • Verification: Upload your trade licences and proof of insurance. Google will also perform a background check on the business owner.
  • Launch: Once vetted (usually 1–3 weeks), your ad will appear at the very top of Google Search.

For construction firms, this is the section to get right first. For financial and legal firms, the sign-up lesson is slightly different: always check eligibility before planning around LSAs, and do not build strategy on the assumption that the format is currently available to your category or sector in Ireland.

How long does verification usually take?

Verification is not usually instant. In general, Google says screening and verification takes around three to four weeks after documents are submitted correctly. Try to ensure that you give Google everything they ask for the very first time..

That is why businesses should prepare early rather than treating approval as a last minute admin task.

Google LSAs login

LSAs are now managed through the standard Google Ads ecosystem.

  1. Visit the Portal: Go to ads.google.com/localservices.
  2. Sign In: Use the Google Account associated with your business.

Select Account: If you have multiple accounts, choose the one labelled ‘Local Services’ from the top menu.

What is the Google LSA dashboard?

Think of your dashboard as your “Command Centre” for high-intent leads. This dashboard is much easier to use than the main Google Ads dashboard – yippee!

Lead Management – Review new enquiries, listen to call recordings and reply to messages instantly. (Well, as quick as you can. The caller is waiting for a response. And Google is watching to see how quickly you respond – no pressure.)

Dispute Tool – Flag invalid leads (e.g., wrong service or area) to request a credit back to your account. Only do this IF you are totally sure that your dispute is right. Sometimes your competitors will click on your LSAs – it happens.

Review Management – Send direct links to customers to collect Google reviews which are essential for staying at the top of the rankings.

Ad Scheduling – Use the ‘Business Hours’ toggle to pause ads instantly if you are too busy to take calls.This is important to visitors and Google. Yep, they are watching you.

ROI Reporting – Monitor your “Cost Per Lead” and total spend to ensure your marketing remains profitable.

How do I manage leads, disputes and reviews?

Good LSA performance is not just about being visible. It is about how well you manage the leads once they arrive.

Good practice includes reviewing new enquiries quickly, replying to messages fast, keeping a close eye on call quality and requesting reviews from satisfied customers on a regular basis. Reviews remain one of the strongest practical performance signals within LSAs.

If you receive invalid leads, such as the wrong service type or an enquiry outside your service area, Google provides dispute and credit processes within Local Services to get your money back. Businesses should use these carefully and consistently to protect profitability. And to avoid Google dropping you out of the LSAs.

How do ad scheduling and capacity control work?

Good LSA performance is not just about being visible. It is about how well you manage the leads once they arrive.

Good practice includes reviewing new enquiries quickly, replying to messages fast, keeping a close eye on call quality and requesting reviews from satisfied customers on a regular basis. Reviews remain one of the strongest practical performance signals within LSAs.

If you receive invalid leads, such as the wrong service type or an enquiry outside your service area, Google provides dispute and credit processes within Local Services to get your money back. Businesses should use these carefully and consistently to protect profitability. And to avoid Google dropping you out of the LSAs.

What affects LSA rankings?

LSAs do not work exactly like standard SEO or the local pack. Rankings are influenced by Google’s auction system, which takes bid and overall profile quality into account.

In practice, the main signals include:

  • relevance to the search
  • the quality and completeness of your profile
  • reviews
  • responsiveness to calls and messages
  • bidding and budget
  • strong business information and images

If your business misses calls, responds slowly or gives searchers weak trust signals, performance can suffer. As in they stop featuring your ad.

How much do Google Local Services Ads cost?

Local Services Ads usually work on a pay per lead model rather than pay per click. That means you are generally charged when someone contacts you through the ad, not just because they clicked.

Google Local Services Ads cost varies by service category, competition, location and lead quality. The real commercial question is not simply what a lead costs, but whether that lead can turn into profitable work.

For construction firms, the key metric is usually cost per booked job, not cost per lead alone. For financial and legal businesses, the equivalent mindset should be applied to standard Google Ads and local SEO – focus on profitable enquiries, not vanity metrics or distracting phone calls.

How can you improve LSA performance?

The best performing accounts usually get the fundamentals right:

  • choose all relevant job types that you offer
  • set realistic but commercially useful geographic service areas – within an hour usually
  • build up your Google reviews consistently
  • add real photos and accurate business details
  • respond quickly to calls and messages

Construction firms should also keep service categories tightly aligned to the work they actually want more of. A general contractor, for example, should not rely on vague setup where a more specific service mix would produce better quality leads.

For legal and financial firms, the equivalent principle is to keep campaign structure, service pages, compliance messaging and conversion tracking tightly aligned, even if LSAs are not part of the immediate plan.Again this does apply in standard Google Ads.

How are Local Services Ads, Google Business Profile and Google Ads different?

You can show up in Google Maps and the local pack with the help of your Google Business Profile. Standard Google Ads gives you broader keyword, ad copy and landing page control, usually on a pay per click basis. But it can get very expensive, if you do not manage it carefully.

Local Services Ads sit alongside both. They are built for direct local lead generation and rely heavily on trust, screening and responsiveness. The dashboard is also much easier to use.

For construction firms in Ireland, LSAs can be a high intent layer on top of Google Business Profile and standard search campaigns. For financial and legal firms, the more realistic route is often standard Google Ads plus good local SEO and review strategy.

Are LSAs right for every business?

Nope. LSAs do tend to suit businesses with a clear service area, good margins, fast lead handling and confirmed category eligibility.

They are usually less suitable where eligibility is unavailable, margins are too tight or lead follow up is weak or slow. The right starting point is commercial fit, not just platform availability.

That is why construction firms should actively assess LSA opportunity, while financial and legal firms should assess whether standard Google Ads, sector verification, GBP and organic search can deliver a stronger return in the Irish market.

Final Thoughts

Google Local Services Ads can be a great source of local leads in Ireland for the right type of business. Today, that is most relevant for construction and trades led firms rather than financial or legal firms.

For financial and legal businesses, the main takeaway is still valuable. Google rewards trust, verification, accuracy, reviews and responsive lead handling across its wider ecosystem. Even if LSAs are not the immediate route, the same commercial discipline still applies. Some time in the future you too might be able to avail of LSAs.

If your business fits the eligible LSA categories and you can respond quickly to enquiries, LSAs are well worth considering.

Google Local Services Ads LSAs Frequently Asked Questions

What is Google LSA?

Google LSA refers to Google Local Services Ads, a Google advertising product designed for local service businesses. These ads appear prominently in search results and are built to generate calls and messages from people looking for nearby services. Usually in a hurry.

What does LSA stand for in Google?

In Google, LSA stands for Local Services Ads. It is the term commonly used for Google’s lead focused ad format for eligible local service businesses.

How do I access Google LSAs login?

To access Google LSAs login, you normally sign in to your Local Services Ads account through Google and manage everything from the Google LSA dashboard. Some users also search for Google service Ads login when looking for the same area of the platform.

How do I complete Google LSAs sign up?

Google LSAs sign up usually starts by checking eligibility, connecting or verifying your Google Business Profile, submitting business and compliance details, and completing the screening process before your ads can go live.

What is the Google LSA dashboard?

The Google LSA dashboard is the area where you manage your Local Services Ads account. It is used to review leads, update budgets, manage service areas, check messages and monitor performance.

How much do Google Local Services Ads cost?

Google Local Services Ads cost varies by service category, competition, location and lead quality. Businesses are generally charged per lead rather than per click, so the real measure is whether the leads turn into profitable work. It is a simple format compared to standard Google Ads.

How do I contact Google LSA support?

Google LSA support is typically accessed through your account and related help options. Businesses may also search for Google LSA customer service or a Google LSA phone number, but available contact methods can vary by account, issue type and region.

Are Google Local Services Ads available in Ireland?

Yes. Google Local Services Ads are available in Ireland, but only for selected service categories – see above. Eligibility depends on your business type and location.

Do I need a Google Business Profile to run LSAs?

Yes. You need a public, verified Google Business Profile before you can advertise with Local Services Ads.Google is trying to weed out the scammers.

What is the Google Verified badge?

The Google Verified badge shows that a business has completed Google’s screening and verification requirements for Local Services Ads.

How long does LSA verification take?

Google says the process generally takes around three to four weeks after documents are submitted, although individual cases can vary.

Do LSAs charge per click?

No, not at all. LSAs are generally charged on a pay per lead basis rather than a pay per click basis.

What affects Local Services Ads rankings?

Rankings are influenced by bid, profile quality, relevance, reviews, responsiveness and how likely your ad is to result in a lead. If you handle the enquiries quickly and efficiently and get Google reviews as a result, you will do well with LSAs.

Can solicitors, accountants or financial advisers use LSAs in Ireland?

Not as a general rule at present. Google’s Ireland eligibility information is focused on selected local service and trade categories, so professional services should not currently expect access unless or until Google confirms it.

Are LSAs better than standard Google Ads?

They are different rather than better in every case. LSAs can be excellent for lead-driven local service businesses, while standard Google Ads often offer broader keyword control and campaign flexibility. And the dashboard is much simpler.

About The Author

Michael MacGinty

Michael is a well known speaker, author and coach on SEO and how to use the web to grow a business. He is also WP Elevation certified as a Digital Business Consultant.

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