So, you are building a Joomla site for a client and you get to the step in the Joomla install where it asks if you want install the sample content. What do you do?

You have installed Joomla 3-4 times, feel good with it now, you are feeling confident, why not skip the sample content nonsense and go for the gusto? This is a common question I answer a lot.

People who install Joomla a few times tend to feel they know everything about it and jump in head first. The problem with this is they most likely don’t and it will cause them far more headaches in the short term.

Many template companies use the Joomla sample content to line up and display their templates. If you don’t install this sample data, then many times you will be stuck with trying to figure out what tiny setting you are missing or overlooked. I find it is much easier to install the sample content, and un-publish and delete things I do not need, rather then trying to recreate everything from scratch.

I have been installing and building Joomla sites since the Mambo days, so I have a bit of experience. While I admit, there are specif times and circumstances when I do not want sample data, 9 times out of 10, sample data makes my TTL much quicker.

I admit, this post might come off as a bit cocky or “meh, I know it all”, so in summary, your mileage may vary.  This is just my preferred way to get things rolling.  Don’t agree with me?  Let me know in the comments.