A website is a modern “must-have” for any business or individual. Building a website from scratch used to be a daunting task, especially for those who lacked technical knowledge. However, thanks to a new wave of website builders, creating a professional-looking website has become super easy.
If you want to build a site, read on to see what types of website builders are out there, why and when you should consider them, and the top recommendations. We will also provide a step-by-step guide on using website builders effectively and share tips for maximizing your website’s potential.
Understanding Website Builders
Website builders are online tools that make it easy for anyone to create a website, even without knowing how to code. They offer ready-made templates and design options that users can customize to fit their needs.
This means people can create and manage their own websites without needing a lot of technical skills, which is great for beginners or small businesses that want to save time and money.
They are easy to use because they offer drag-and-drop features, pre-made templates (see Squarespace’s selection here), and elements that can be customized.
Why not to use a website builder
However, while website builders have a lot of benefits, they also come with some downsides. For example, they often limit how much you can customize your site, making it hard to create something truly unique.
This can make your website look like many others that use the same platform. Additionally, these builders might not have the best SEO (Search Engine Optimization) features, which means your site might not rank well on search engines like Google in very competitive niches.
This is a significant drawback if you want people to find your site easily online. So, analyze your niche or industry: if it is a very competitive – you may need a more advanced solution.
You can also consider alternatives like:
- A headless CMS. The best move when scaling a larger offline brand that you are now taking online.
- Static Website Generators. Perfect for freelancers and smaller businesses where the leaders have tech skills. Helps to avoid monthly subscription fees for website builders.
- Maybe getting started with an Instagram shop is a better idea? Rather than spending months on tinkering with an e-commerce store – make your first hundred sales faster.
Think carefully when choosing a website builder
Another issue is that when you use a website builder, you’re tied to that platform. If you ever want to move your website to another service, it can be very difficult and may require starting from scratch. Also, free or cheaper plans often come with unwanted ads, and the site might load more slowly compared to custom-built websites.
For businesses looking to scale up, website builders might not offer the advanced features needed for growth, like complex e-commerce options or better performance on mobile devices. That’s when alternatives like a headless CMS or enterprise e-commerce systems come in.
Finding a good fit with a website builder: Squarespace example
This especially true for tools like Squarespace. I love Squarespace, it is perfect for businesses looking to scale from $1 million to $5-$10 million in annual revenue. Beautiful templates, selection of fonts and pre-made sections offer a simple way to build an experience that you and your customers find stunning while being easy to use.
Squarespace is ideal for companies like:
- smaller architectural and interior design or service businesses that value a design touch.
- boutique luxury e-commerce business that are wildly profitable and do not plan to grow.
However, once you grow larger – you will find advanced issues popping up for creating custom product variations or front-end design layouts. Migrating away from Squarespace is not the easiest task in the world.
In that regard, if you know your business is going to grow bigger, Wix could probably be a better choice because its Wix Studio and extensive Developer API will keep up with your needs.
Why Use a Website Builder?
So, with these caveats out of the way – let’s continue. There are several compelling reasons to consider using a website builder:
- User-Friendly: Website builders are designed with non-technical users in mind. Their intuitive interfaces and drag-and-drop functionality make it easy for beginners to create a professional-looking website.
- Cost-Effective: Building a website using a builder is often much more affordable than hiring a professional web developer. With website builders, you pay a monthly or annual subscription fee, which usually includes hosting and maintenance.
- Time-Saving: Website builders streamline the design process, allowing you to create a website in a fraction of the time it would take to build one from scratch. They offer pre-designed templates and themes that you can customize to suit your needs, eliminating the need for extensive design work.
- Flexibility: Website builders offer a wide range of design options and functionalities. Whether you’re looking to create a blog, an e-commerce store, or a portfolio website, website builders have templates and features that cater to different needs.
One of the key advantages of using a website builder is the ability to update and maintain your website easily. With traditional websites, making changes or adding new content often requires the assistance of a web developer.
This can be time-consuming and costly. However, with a website builder, you can completely control your website’s content and update it with just a few clicks. Whether you want to add new products to your online store or publish a new blog post, website builders make it easy to keep your website fresh and up-to-date.
Another benefit of website builders is the built-in basic SEO (Search Engine Optimization) features. These features help improve your website’s visibility in search engine results for beginners, making it easier for potential customers to find you – when you just need to get started and do not all the advanced options that a more mature business requires.
These days, website builders often provide tools and guidance on optimizing your website’s meta tags, headings, and URLs like the AI assistant from Wix that helps you generate meta descriptions.
They also offer options for adding alt tags to images and creating SEO-friendly URLs. By taking advantage of these built-in SEO features, you can increase your website’s chances of ranking higher in search engine results, driving more organic traffic.
Top Website Builders in the Market
Now that you understand the benefits of using a website builder let’s explore some of the top options available in the market:
The Top Three Website Builders
1. Wix: Wix is a user-friendly website builder with a vast selection of professionally designed templates. It boasts a drag-and-drop editor, making it easy to customize your website’s layout and design.
2. Squarespace: Squarespace is known for its visually stunning templates and powerful blogging capabilities. It is ideal for creative professionals and businesses that want to showcase their work visually.
3. WordPress: While WordPress started as a blogging platform, it has evolved into a full-fledged website builder. With its vast library of plugins and themes, WordPress provides endless customization options.
Top Alternative Website Builders
1. Apostrophe.
2. Strapi.
Features to Look for in a Website Builder
When choosing a website builder, consider the following features:
- Customization Options: Look for a website builder that offers a wide range of customization options, such as the ability to change fonts, colors, and layouts and add personalized content.
- Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure your website builder provides responsive templates, meaning your website will look great on any device.
- E-commerce Functionality: To sell products or services online, ensure the website builder offers e-commerce capabilities.
- Customer Support: Check the website builder’s customer support options. Look for platforms that offer responsive customer support via chat, email, or phone.
Detailed Reviews of Selected Website Builders
Let’s take a closer look at some of the popular website builders and their pros and cons:
Wix
Pros:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor
- Wide variety of stunning templates
- Extensive app market for additional functionalities
Cons:
- The free plan includes Wix ads.
- Limited e-commerce features on lower-tier plans
Squarespace
Pros:
- Visually stunning templates
- Powerful blogging features
- Integrated e-commerce functionality
Cons:
- Less flexibility compared to other website builders
- Pricing is slightly higher than competitors
WordPress
Pros:
- Highly customizable with thousands of themes and plugins
- Great for bloggers and content creators
- SEO-friendly
Cons:
- The steep learning curve for beginners
- Requires manual updates and maintenance
Pricing and Plans
The pricing for website builders varies depending on the platform and the plan you choose. Most website builders offer tiered pricing models, with basic plans suitable for personal websites and more advanced plans for businesses. Some platforms also offer free plans with limited features, allowing you to start without any upfront cost. Remember to compare the features offered in each plan and choose the one that best aligns with your needs and budget.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Website Builders
Choosing the Right Website Builder for Your Needs
1. Identify your website’s purpose: Determine whether your website will serve as an online store, a blog, a portfolio, or a business website.
2. Consider your design preferences: Browse through different website builders and their templates to find a design that resonates with your brand or personal style.
3. Evaluate features and functionalities: Assess the specific features and functionalities offered by different website builders and choose one that meets your requirements. Consider factors such as e-commerce capabilities, mobile responsiveness, and SEO tools.
4. Compare pricing plans: Review the pricing plans of different website builders and select one that fits your budget.
Setting Up Your Website
1. Sign up for an account: Create an account with your website builder, providing the necessary information.
2. Choose a domain name: Select a memorable and relevant domain name for your website.
3. Select a template: Browse the available templates and choose one that aligns with your brand or personal style.
4. Customize your website: Use the builder’s customization options to add content, images, and branding elements. Ensure that your website is visually appealing and easy to navigate.
Customizing Your Website Design
1. Edit the layout: Adjust the placement and size of different elements on your website, ensuring a balanced and visually pleasing design.
2. Choose colors and fonts: Select colors and fonts that reflect your brand’s personality and enhance the readability of your content.
3. Add media: Incorporate high-quality images, videos, and other elements to engage your website visitors.
4. Optimize for mobile devices: Use responsive design techniques to Ensure your website looks great and functions well on smartphones and tablets.
Tips for Maximizing Your Website’s Potential
SEO Best Practices for Your New Website
1. Keyword research: Conduct keyword research to identify relevant keywords for your industry and optimize your website’s content accordingly.
2. Meta tags and descriptions: Utilize meta tags and descriptions to provide search engines and users with a clear understanding of your website’s content.
3. Quality content: Create high-quality, informative, and engaging content tailored to your target audience.
4. Link building: Build high-quality backlinks to your website by reaching out to relevant industry websites and offering valuable content.
Integrating Social Media on Your Website
1. Social sharing buttons: Make it easy for visitors to share your content on social media platforms by adding social sharing buttons to your website.
2. Embed social media feeds: Showcase your social media presence by embedding your feeds directly onto your website.
3. Cross-promotion: Promote your website through your social media channels, encouraging your followers to visit and explore your website.
By utilizing the power of website builders, you can create a professional and user-friendly website that reflects your unique style and meets your specific needs. Whether you’re a business owner or an individual looking to showcase your work, follow the step-by-step guide and implement the tips shared in this article to build a successful online presence. Start exploring the world of website builders today and take control of your website’s destiny.
