What is a Website Builder and How to Choose One?
May 22nd, 2024
Using a website builder makes it possible to create a stunning website that speaks directly to your audience in a matter of minutes. The days of only large companies or coders having websites are long gone. Now all it takes is an idea and an online editor to get started.
Choosing the right website platform is essential for creating a professional online presence. Explore what a website builder is, the different types, and how to select the best one for your needs.
Index
- What is a website builder?
- How website builders work
- Types of website builders
- How to choose the best website builder
- How to use a website builder
- FAQ
What is a website builder?
Creating a website in the traditional way requires in-depth technical and programming knowledge (HTML, CSS, JavaScript). With these skills, you can register a domain, find a hosting vendor, and program your content.
In order to do this, programming skills as well as knowledge of web design and web security are a must. Maintaining and updating the site will also take up a lot of your time, which you could otherwise spend creating and promoting your content.
Of course, this way of creating a site has disadvantages and is not for everyone. This fact opened the door for the creation of online editors as alternatives for creating high-quality websites.
A website builder is a program that allows you to create websites, blogs or e-shops. The intuitive interface makes it easy for you to create pages and customize their appearance.
Everything can be controlled with simple clicks of the mouse. Typically, you can see the result of what you are creating as you create it. These builders are known as “What you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG).
How website builders work
Website builders make it possible to build an engaging website without needing to know how to code. While every is a little different, there are a few commonalities they typically share:
- Simple control
- Website building platforms typically have a user-friendly interface that allows anyone (regardless of technical knowledge level) to easily put together the pieces of a website. Drag-and-drop technology enables you to type text, upload images, and add or move any element with a simple click and drag.
- Website building platforms typically have a user-friendly interface that allows anyone (regardless of technical knowledge level) to easily put together the pieces of a website. Drag-and-drop technology enables you to type text, upload images, and add or move any element with a simple click and drag.
- Modern designs
- Website design today requires at least basic graphic design skills. A huge advantage of a website builder is that it allows you to choose a template for your site created by professional designers. Of course, you can customize the template to suit your needs and style.
- Website design today requires at least basic graphic design skills. A huge advantage of a website builder is that it allows you to choose a template for your site created by professional designers. Of course, you can customize the template to suit your needs and style.
- Accessibility
- Website editors are mostly online today so your web files are hosted on a service provider’s server. This allows you to create and manage your site anywhere from any device connected to the Internet.
- Website editors are mostly online today so your web files are hosted on a service provider’s server. This allows you to create and manage your site anywhere from any device connected to the Internet.
- All in one
- With the help of a builder, you have everything you need for your website in one place (hosting, domain, and email account). You do not have to deal with each service separately from multiple providers.
- With the help of a builder, you have everything you need for your website in one place (hosting, domain, and email account). You do not have to deal with each service separately from multiple providers.
- Automatic security updates and maintenance
- You don’t have to worry about technical updates or the security of your website. The provider will take care of everything for you and you can be sure that your website is secure and with the latest updates.
- You don’t have to worry about technical updates or the security of your website. The provider will take care of everything for you and you can be sure that your website is secure and with the latest updates.
- Quick to use
- You don’t start from scratch. You can start with pre-designed templates, pre-filled websites, and ready-to-use tools. All you have to do is add your own content and your site is ready. By using a website platform, you will have more time for other important activities such as content creation, SEO, and PPC.
- You don’t start from scratch. You can start with pre-designed templates, pre-filled websites, and ready-to-use tools. All you have to do is add your own content and your site is ready. By using a website platform, you will have more time for other important activities such as content creation, SEO, and PPC.
- No big investments
- Creating a website using a builder does not require a big initial investment. You don’t have to pay expensive programmers and designers. Thanks to a variety of service plans, you can choose what will suit you best and how much you want to spend. There are even free plans available.
Types of Website Builders
Determining which type of builder to use, will depend on your particular needs. Before you get started, you’ll want to consider how much time you have to invest in building your website as well as the level of customization you’d like to have (especially if you have coding or graphic design skills).
Drag-and-drop website builder
A drag-and-drop builder makes it easy to customize the layout of your website without any coding. All you need to do is add, remove, and move around content boxes to create your own unique look.
No-code website builder
No-code builders are pretty self-explanatory – they negate the need for traditional coding skills. Many different types of simple editor fall into this category including drag-and-drop and AI builders.
AI website builder
AI builders harness the power of Artificial Intelligence and use a series of prompts to create a customized website. Some can even generate sample images and text to include.
HTML website builder
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the language used to structure websites. Typically, HTML builders combine easy-to-use features such as drag-and-drop with the flexibility of using HTML to customize your website even further.
Blog website builder
Even if blogging isn’t the main focus of your website, it is always useful to be able to add a blog as it’s a great place to promote and monetize your website.
If blogging is something you’d like to include on your site, be sure to find a blogging platform that allows you to create blog posts, organize posts and create categories, and manage comments.
Website builder for small business
Website builders are generally a good choice for creating sites for small to medium-sized businesses. However, it’s important to check that the tool meets all your requirements such as multi-language support, professional design, usable forms, password-protected sections, and email services.
Ecommerce website builder
The quality of the e-commerce functionality is a decisive factor when creating an online store. Even if you don’t have an online shop right now, it’s important to think long-term as you may want to add one down the road.
Examine the e-commerce features thoroughly and be sure to pay attention to how the product page functionalities, shopping cart look, and the shipping methods available.
Webnode website builder
Choosing the right website editor can seem overwhelming with so many options available. With over 45 million users, Webnode is an easy online editor for those who are looking to set up a professional website quickly.
Webnode’s free website editor is an excellent option for creating a website for blogging, e-commerce, professional portfolios, and more. With a wide range of professionally designed templates to choose from, you’ll be able to build an eye-catching website in a matter of minutes.
You can use Webnode’s free AI website builder to automatically generate your website with texts, images, and a layout tailored to your needs – saving valuable time. Additionally, Webnode offers email, hosting, and domain services as well as an expert, multi-lingual support team that will be available to answer any questions that come up along the way.
How to choose the best website builder
The next step is to decide which editor is right for you. Of course, it always depends on what kind of website you want to create and what your goals are. There are also some general rules to follow when choosing the ideal website building platform:
12 tips for choosing the best website builder
- Ease of use
- The most important requirement. The purpose of any website editor is to simplify your work. With a simple website platform, orientation with the interface should be a breeze. If you get lost in the interface, can’t find what you need, or are constantly forced to work with the HTML code, you should look for another tool.
- The most important requirement. The purpose of any website editor is to simplify your work. With a simple website platform, orientation with the interface should be a breeze. If you get lost in the interface, can’t find what you need, or are constantly forced to work with the HTML code, you should look for another tool.
- Quality of website templates
- You don’t have to be a web designer to understand if the template is clear and looks good on mobile screens. Find out if you have enough suitable templates to choose from. It’s a good idea to have a list of requirements to see if the template contains all the elements you need. It is also important to verify that the template can be modified and customized sufficiently.
- You don’t have to be a web designer to understand if the template is clear and looks good on mobile screens. Find out if you have enough suitable templates to choose from. It’s a good idea to have a list of requirements to see if the template contains all the elements you need. It is also important to verify that the template can be modified and customized sufficiently.
- Website analytics
- You need data to be able to develop your site in the right direction. Some online website editors may provide internal analytics tools. However, these are usually insufficient. Therefore, insist on compatibility with the most used data analysis tools such as Google Analytics and Google Search Console.
- You need data to be able to develop your site in the right direction. Some online website editors may provide internal analytics tools. However, these are usually insufficient. Therefore, insist on compatibility with the most used data analysis tools such as Google Analytics and Google Search Console.
- Custom domain name
- Owning your own domain is the key to success in today’s Internet age. Any website editor should allow you to use your own domain. Find out if the provider offers discounts or a free domain for a temporary period. This is a nice bonus that you will definitely use.
- Owning your own domain is the key to success in today’s Internet age. Any website editor should allow you to use your own domain. Find out if the provider offers discounts or a free domain for a temporary period. This is a nice bonus that you will definitely use.
- Form builder
- Forms are necessary if you use your website to offer services. However, forms are also useful for all types of websites. You should be able to easily create forms and adapt them to your needs. You should have the option to add different types of fields and functions so that you can collect inquiries, reservations, email contacts, registrations, and receive messages.
- Forms are necessary if you use your website to offer services. However, forms are also useful for all types of websites. You should be able to easily create forms and adapt them to your needs. You should have the option to add different types of fields and functions so that you can collect inquiries, reservations, email contacts, registrations, and receive messages.
- Images
- Images are an essential part of web content. You should therefore make sure that the platform you’re considering has all the necessary functions for editing images. Does it allow you to create image galleries? Can you zoom in on the images? Can you crop or resize pictures? If these functions will make your life easier, make sure they’re included in the builder you choose.
- Images are an essential part of web content. You should therefore make sure that the platform you’re considering has all the necessary functions for editing images. Does it allow you to create image galleries? Can you zoom in on the images? Can you crop or resize pictures? If these functions will make your life easier, make sure they’re included in the builder you choose.
- Video and audio content
- Video and audio content are elements that people expect as standard features on websites these days. Check if the editor allows you to easily upload or share these types of content from the most used platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, Spotify, and more.
- Video and audio content are elements that people expect as standard features on websites these days. Check if the editor allows you to easily upload or share these types of content from the most used platforms such as YouTube, Vimeo, Spotify, and more.
- SEO friendliness
- Your site should not only look nice but should also be searchable. Your website editor should help you with the basic settings so that you do not have to spend money on an SEO expert. Make sure you might create a unique page title independent of the page name, edit the meta description, and edit the URL structure.
- Your site should not only look nice but should also be searchable. Your website editor should help you with the basic settings so that you do not have to spend money on an SEO expert. Make sure you might create a unique page title independent of the page name, edit the meta description, and edit the URL structure.
- Social sharing
- If you also plan to develop your social networking profiles, make sure that the editor supports the features that connect your site to your social network. Sharing or liking buttons are a must.
- If you also plan to develop your social networking profiles, make sure that the editor supports the features that connect your site to your social network. Sharing or liking buttons are a must.
- Support of most common file formats
- Content can appear on your site in a variety of forms and formats. Be careful and double-check that the platform you’re considering allows you to upload or view files in the most common formats such as .pdf, .csv, .xls, etc.
- Content can appear on your site in a variety of forms and formats. Be careful and double-check that the platform you’re considering allows you to upload or view files in the most common formats such as .pdf, .csv, .xls, etc.
- Customer support
- Quality website builders offer a clear, understandable, and searchable manual that will help you whenever you encounter an issue. A tool that also provides active user support and allows you to ask questions directly is even better. The best ones have support services that are adapted to your language and local requirements.
- Quality website builders offer a clear, understandable, and searchable manual that will help you whenever you encounter an issue. A tool that also provides active user support and allows you to ask questions directly is even better. The best ones have support services that are adapted to your language and local requirements.
- Price
- Money is the last, but still very significant, factor that can influence your choice when it comes to selecting a right platform. Always try to find the best bang for your buck. If you decide to choose an editor that is more costly than its competitors, you should know why and what extra features you are getting for your money.
How to use a website builder
Creating a website using a website building platform should be a convenient, fast, and intuitive affair. However, it is something that may take a little getting used to so we have prepared a list of basic steps for how to do it:
6 steps for using a website builder
1. Register your domain and get hosting
You may already have a domain name in mind for your website and now it is time to register it. A good website building platform should help you with the process and allow you to register for a domain in its interface. If this option is available to you, take advantage of the fact that you can solve everything with one service.
2. Select the appropriate template
The next step is to select a suitable template. Look for a template that will meet all of your functionality criteria as well as a design that is in line with your brand and the message you want to convey.
3. Edit the template
Adapt the selected template to the web structure you have designed. Create the pages, sections, or categories you want. You may need to make some adjustments to the design due to template limitations.
4. Insert content
Now, fill the prepared template with your content. However, you don’t have to have all the content ready to go from the beginning. You can deploy the most important pieces of content first and then add the rest later.
Types of content you can add to your website
5. Connect your website with analytics tools
Don’t despair if you’re lost in web analytics. Linking your site to Google Analytics and Google Search Console is a great place to start. If you find there are other data points you’d also like to track, you can add additional analytics tools with different functionalities later.
6. Publish your website
It is here! Prepare a bottle of champagne, press the “Publish” button, and watch your website go live. Hello, online world!
FAQ
Now that you’ve got the background information on website building platforms, you’ll be able to confidently decide if using an easy website builder is the right approach for you and how to find your perfect match.
Here are a few commonly asked questions:
What is the easiest website builder for beginners?
Choosing which website building platform to use can vary greatly depending on your needs. However, Webnode is a great option for beginners as it offers a wide range of template options, domain and hosting services, and an AI builder. You can even get started for free and upgrade with additional features as your business grows.
What is a good website builder to make a website for free?
Webnode is an easy editor to use and it has a free plan option with lots of great features included.
How much does a website cost (in 2024)?
It depends. Website platforms are usually paid as a monthly or yearly subscription. Most providers offer various premium plans and the price typically depends on the number of features included with the service.
With an online editor, you may pay an average of $50 – $350 per year for a website. The advantage is that you can often try the free version first. In some cases, a free version may even be enough for you.
If you want to build your website yourself, you must also factor in the costs for professionals (programmers, designers, etc.) if you’re not able to code it yourself. Depending on how much time a professional spends developing a site, the price can range from $1,000 to $3,000 for a small or medium-sized site. Also count with domain ($11 – $85 per year) and hosting ($7 – $14 per month).
Site maintenance can add additional costs. If you’re not able to maintain the website yourself, it will cost you an average of $100 to $1,000 per year for a professional to do it for you.
In conclusion, if you compare the costs between the highest premium package of any editor to how much it costs to have your own custom-made website, you will see that the web builder is much cheaper.
If you don’t know how to code and you don’t need any advanced, customized functionalities, the best option is likely to make your website using a web builder.
Create your web with Webnode’s website builder