As you can guess, many website builders on the market today can help you create a professional-looking website for your business.
However, with so many options, knowing which one is right for you can be difficult.
Today’s guide will teach you what to consider when choosing a website builder.
A website builder is software that helps you create, edit and maintain a professional-looking website without hiring an expensive web developer. It allows even the most novice user to build high-quality websites with little or no technical knowledge quickly.
The different types of website builders
Generally speaking, there are two types of builders: The first one is known as “template based,” which means it comes preloaded with numerous templates from which you can choose your favorite design for your site.
In contrast, the second one (known as WYSIWIG) allows users more control over their designs by inserting HTML code themselves into specific areas on each page to customize how they want things laid out precisely.
Some popular template-based builders are OLITT, Wix, and Jimdo, while some of the more well-known “What You See Is What Get” or (WYSIWIG) editors include WordPress.com, Blogger.com, and Typepad, to name a few.
Right off the bat, if you have never created a website before, I highly recommend choosing one of the template-based builders for your first attempt.
They are much easier to use and require no programming or HTML knowledge, making them an ideal solution for newcomers who just want to get online as quickly as possible.
The pros and cons of popular website builders
Pros:
a) Low cost
Most website builders are either free or very affordable. This means you can get started building your site without breaking the bank, especially if it’s just a small personal project, to begin with.
b) Easy to use
Website builders are designed for users with little or no technical knowledge.
This means anyone can create a beautiful website without learning HTML code or any other complicated web development language.
Most builders also come with helpful tutorials and support in case you get stuck along the way.
c) No hosting required (for some builders)
Some template-based website builders include free hosting as part of their service, so you don’t have to worry about finding a separate host for your site (although most will offer paid upgrades if you need more space or bandwidth).
However, this is not always the case, so check before signing up!
d) No need to worry about updates or security
Since these website builders take care of all the technical aspects for you, there’s no need to worry about things like website security or keeping your site up-to-date with the latest software.
This can be a huge time saver, especially if you’re not technically inclined.
e). Greater design flexibility and control
WYSIWYG editors like WordPress give users much more control over their designs than template-based builders do.
With these editors, you can insert custom HTML/CSS code or even install pre-made themes and plugins to completely change your site’s appearance without having any coding knowledge whatsoever.
f). More features and integrations.
WordPress.org (the self-hosted version of WordPress) comes with thousands of themes and plugins that allow you to add functionality to your website (e.g. eCommerce, contact forms, social media integration, etc).
Expanding your website as your business grows makes it much easier and less expensive.
Additionally, there are no restrictions on how much traffic or data you can have on a self-hosted WordPress site which is great for businesses that expect to experience high levels of growth in the future.
Cons:
a) Limited design and customization options.
Most website builders do not allow much in terms of design customization.
This can be a problem for those who want to put their own personal touch on their website or have specific branding guidelines that must be followed.
Additionally, most of these site builder templates are not responsive (meaning they don’t adjust well to being viewed on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets), which can hurt your search engine optimization efforts as Google now penalizes websites that aren’t mobile-friendly in its ranking algorithms.
b) Higher long-term costs.
Once you start generating traffic and/or selling products from your website, the last thing you want is to be limited by your website builder’s capabilities.
Some website builders often lack many features to run a successful online business (like eCommerce functionality, email marketing integrations, etc.).
As a result, most people eventually need to switch platforms, which can be quite costly and time-consuming.
c) Slow loading times sometimes.
Websites built on template-based site builders tend to be quite slow due to all the unnecessary code bloat that comes with them.
This frustrates visitors and hurts your search engine optimization efforts, as Google now uses page speed as a ranking factor in its algorithms.
How to select the right website builder for your business
Now that you know the pros and cons of website builders, it is time to start thinking about which one is right for your business. Below are some factors that you should consider when making a decision:
1) What type of site do you want?
Any website builder will do if you just need a basic website with only a few pages.
However, if you want a more complex website with e-commerce features or an online booking system, then make sure to choose a website builder that offers these features.
2) How much control do you want over the design of your site?
Some website builders are very template-based, so you won’t have much freedom when customizing your site’s look and feel.
Others offer more flexibility, allowing you to change things like colours, fonts, and layouts. Decide how important design is to you before choosing a website builder.
3) Do you need any special features on your site?
As we mentioned, some website builders come with built-in features like eCommerce platforms or online booking systems.
If you need specific features for your business, make sure to choose a web builder that offers them.
4) How much are you willing to pay?
Website builders can range in price from free to several hundred dollars per month.
Remember that the most expensive option isn’t always the best, and vice versa.
Decide how much you are willing to spend on a website builder before making your final decision.
5) Look for SEO features
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, a method used to increase the visibility of your website in search engines like Google. To rank high on SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages), you must ensure that your website has relevant keywords, quality content, fast loading speed, etc.
Some website builders offer built-in SEO features, such as keyword research tools, SEO-friendly templates, etc., that can help you optimize your website for search engines. If you are unfamiliar with SEO, these features can be very helpful.
6) Choose a platform that is easy to use.
You don’t want to spend hours figuring out how to use the website builder. Look for a platform that is easy to use and has a user-friendly interface. Most popular website builders offer drag-and-drop editors, making it very easy to create and customize your website without any coding knowledge.
7) Data ownership & portability.
You don’t own the data or content you create when you use a website builder. If you ever want to move your website to another platform, it can be very difficult (or even impossible) to do so.
8) Customer support.
If you run into any problems while using the website builder, it is important to have access to customer support. Look for a company that offers 24/7 customer support in case you need help with anything.
9) Free package or trial.
Most website builders offer a free package with limited features. This is a great way to try out the platform before you commit to a paid plan. Some website builders also offer free trials to test all the features before deciding if it’s right for your business.
Website Builder For Your Business FAQs
First and foremost, website builders are incredibly easy to use. Even if you don’t have any experience with web design, you’ll be able to create a beautiful website in no time. Plus, most website builders come with built-in templates, so you don’t have to start from scratch.
Another great reason to use a website builder is that they’re very affordable. You can still create a professional-looking website without breaking the bank if you’re on a tight budget. And if you need more features down the road, most builders offer affordable upgrades.
Most professional web designers use WordPress. It is a content management system (CMS) that allows you to create a website from scratch or to improve an existing website. WordPress is used by millions of people worldwide, including many large organizations, such as The Guardian, Forbes, and The New York Times.
When it comes to creating a website, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It depends on your needs and preferences whether coding your own website or using a website builder is the better option.
If you are comfortable with coding and have the time to invest in building a website from scratch, then coding your own website may be the better option for you. However, if you don’t have the time or patience to learn how to code, then using a website builder may be a better solution.
There are pros and cons to both options. Coding your own website gives you more control over the design and functionality of your site. However, it takes longer to build and can be more expensive if you need to hire someone to help you.
There are a few ways that free website builders make money. The most common is by showing ads on your free site. This is how most of the popular free website builders make money. Another way is by selling upgrades to the Pro version of their product. This allows you to get rid of the ads and access more features. Lastly, some website builders make money by selling products or services related to website building and maintenance. This includes things like hosting, domain names, and email accounts.
When building a website, there are a few key considerations you always need to keep in mind. First and foremost, you must ensure that your website is designed with your target audience in mind. What are their needs, and how can your website address them?
Another important consideration is ensuring your website is easy to navigate and user-friendly. If visitors can’t find what they’re looking for, they’ll quickly move on to another site.
Finally, you must ensure that your website is optimized for search engines. This means using the right keywords and phrases so that people can easily find your site while searching online.
Keep these three considerations in mind, and you’ll be well on your way to creating a successful website!
Wix is a great platform for those who want an easy-to-use, drag-and-drop website builder. You don’t need coding skills to create a beautiful website with Wix. WordPress is a popular content management system that powers millions of websites. It’s a bit more complex than Wix but also highly customizable.
So, which platform should you choose? Wix is a great option if you’re looking for an easy way to build a website without any coding. However, if you’re looking for more control and flexibility, then WordPress is the better choice.
No, it’s not unprofessional to use a website builder. In fact, it can be a great way to create a professional-looking website quickly and easily. There are many website builders out there that are easy to use and produce high-quality results.