Starting an online business or moving your current brick and mortar business online? Whatever the case might be, a website builder is needed for you to get your brand online. There are various website builders available, so it is important that you select the one that best suits your website building needs.
If you are a brand that does not want to create a website using a Website Builder, you can always seek out the services of the Best Web Development Agencies. This helps you create a customizable and tailor-made website to suit your brand’s need rather than going for something that is generic from a Website Builder.
What Is A Website Builder?
A website builder is a comprehensive software tool that allows you to create a website very quickly -it a very handy tool for website administrators who have no design or coding skills. Websites builders usually feature a drag-and-drop editor that makes the creation of beautiful layouts and pages possible without coding.
Even though it is a basic software tool, a good website builder can create a professional-looking website that seamlessly updates to stay current/secure, is mobile-friendly, and integrates e-commerce tools and social media accounts. For a lot of first-time website administrators, website builders provide a low-cost, low-stress option for creating a professional-looking website
What Are The Types Of Website Builders?
There are two major types of websites builders: online and offline
Online Website Builders
These types of website builders like the name implies are web-based and run on a web host’s service. Online website builders work via a browser extension such as Internet Explorer, Chrome, or Firefox. As a bonus, you will not have to download or install the software onto your computer before use – you can work on your website from any electronic device (tablets, computers, or smartphones). Another benefit of an online website builder is they come with web hosting services so you will not have to purchase web hosting separately. Which makes them perfect for first-time website creators.
Offline Website Builders
An offsite website builder is a software program that you download and install on your computer. After it has been installed, you can then use it to build and save your website files and databases. When you are done creating these files, you would have to upload them to the web via a web host’s server.
One of the advantages of an offline website builder is it can be accessed without an internet connection(offline), which allows you to work on website creation without the use of an internet connection. However, because you would have to upload your files through a web server, this type of website builder requires some technical experience or skill. In addition, you would have to purchase a web hosting service.
What Are The Advantages Of Using A Website Builder?
1. Website builders are pretty inexpensive.
2. Website builders are easy to use and do not require special technical knowledge or skills such as programming or coding.
3. Some website builders come with publishing and editorial platforms, which is an all in one solution for creating and publishing your website as quickly as possible.
4. Online website builders make it possible for you to see your website in real-time (preview option). In addition, they often come with a broad selection of customizable templates and layout
The Disadvantages Of Website Builders
1. It is often difficult to change the hosting provider.
2. It may take some time for you to fully understand the various applications of the resources available on the website builder.
3. Because your website is hosted on a web hosting provider’s platform, you are bound by some limitations.
Features To Look Out For When Selecting A Website Builder
Export And Import Option
When selecting a website builder, go with one that makes it easy for you to export content when necessary. This will ensure that upgrading or transferring files is easy.
Traffic Tracking And Analytics
Data is an essential part of marketing. Therefore, the website builder you choose should allow you to install Google analytics on your website so you can track its growth. Avoid software that does not provide this option. Google Analytics is free and we recommended it for every website owner
Technical Support
You are bound to need technical support at some point. Check out the hosting firm/software company’s technical support option and make sure that there’ll be somebody available to provide adequate support when needed.
Cost
The cost of website builders and hosted website building software can be anywhere from $5- $200 per month. This is why they need to be considered carefully. Please note, free builders and not always free – they often require that you upgrade to a basic feature in order to enjoy all the resources.
Mobile Responsiveness
Since 2017, Google has moved to a mobile-first index because it gets more searches from mobile devices than from PCs. In line with this new direction, you would need to make sure that your website is optimized for mobile searches. Not all website builders will allow this -check out your preferred software/hosting software performs on your mobile device before you begin to build.
Search Engine Optimisation
In order for your website to rank well in search results and generate organic traffic, your web building software needs to come which strong SEO features that allow you to addon the necessary extensions for SEO – you should be able to create SEO friendly XML sitemaps, URLs, alt text, headers, meta descriptions, meta titles and have the relevant robots.txt file option.
Supports Multimedia
We currently live in a very visual world. Alongside quality written content, web users gravitate towards quality audio, video, and image files. The website builder you choose should allow you to incorporate multimedia files without hassle
Customization Options
In a lot of instances, the preset templates that come with the software will not be the perfect fit for your website. You might need to customize layouts or templates. This is why you would need to ensure that your website builder allows you to make changes to preset layouts and designs when necessary.
Supports Lead Generation Opportunities
A great website produces desired results – in many instances, this means lead generation. Some website builders will not make this easy, so you should consider the software’s features and ensure that it allows you to customize, add, and edit intake forms seamlessly.
Ease-of-use
Websites require frequent maintenance. To facilitate this, the website builder you go with should be easy to use and offer a WYSIWYG (what- you -see -is -what -you -get) style it editor. Make sure you
test out the website builder’s content setup option and ensure that it is a tool that you can comfortably work with.
Functionality
Before you hit the buy button, you should consider if the selected website builder will provide the functionality your website needs. Do you need a website for lead generation, e-commerce, form management, podcast support, or video integration? Whatever it might be, the website builder’s functionality is essential.
While some content management systems like WordPress allow you to include extensions and plug-ins, not all do. So, go with one that would match your future and current needs.
Available Design Templates
Some website builders, come with a lot of beautiful templates that are modern and functional – some others, not so much. Make sure that you choose a builder that has a broad selection of templates that you can customize and tryout
Content Ownership
It is imperative that you own your content. However, some platforms limit your data controller. Ensure that the website builder you choose gives you 100% ownership of your contents
Custom Branding And Domain Option
In order to ensure online success, your website needs a unique name that is memorable and easy for your target audience to find. You should go with a website builder that allows you to incorporate that allows you to host a unique domain name that is not an extension of the builder’s URL.
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