WEBSITE BUILDERS : As an experienced web developer, I’ve never really used of a web-based builder however I am aware that a lot of people don’t understand how to build websites from scratch So I decided to investigate some options as I get a lot of questions regarding these in my blog readers.
The concept behind web builders is to make making a professional looking website easy. After looking over a number of alternatives available I’ll admit that very few actually fulfill the claim. The poor websites are difficult to use or their websites appear unprofessional and old-fashioned.
The Alternative website builder or web designer?
A frequently asked questions I receive is whether or not to make use of a website builder, or work with an experienced web designer or developer. The answer will depend on your particular situation obviously. If you’re working on a truly special project that is unique and you have the funds to finance it then a skilled web designer is your best choice. However, the cost of an extremely customized website created by an experienced professional could easily be in the hundreds of dollars. Some people think that the cost is reasonable however for the majority of people it’s not.
The benefit of a great web builder is that you can create a professional-looking website for less price. The drawbacks are that you’ll have to compromise a little on customization and you’ll also need to complete some work on your own.
Should you consider using an online builder to build your website?
Website builders are an excellent option for people who have a smaller budget but still need an attractive and professional-looking website. This makes them an excellent option for:
- Small-sized companies
- Writers
- Photographers
- Artists
- etc.
If you’re looking to an exposure for your business or your skills with a website, without breaking the bank, then a reliable website builder can provide the tools you require.
What is the best way to choose the most effective website builder?
To provide a thorough analysis of each of the website builders I performed the way you’d think:
I created a website with all of the web builders.
I then viewed these websites (and I will continue to keep an eye on these websites) to look for these reasons:
- Optional templates
Templates are the base for the design of your site. You select a template after that, you are able to alter the design further. The easiest method to design websites is to select an option one that’s as similar as you can to the style you would like your site to appear like, since customization is what will take time to complete.
Since finding a great template from the beginning is crucial to making the process simple and ensuring that your website appear the way you would like to, the amount of templates available is an important factor when selecting a builder for your website.
- Easy to customize
This is the real “website builder” that we’re studying in this article. Whatever template you pick, it is essential to create a minimum amount of adjustments to have your site look exactly how you want it to. Thus, an intuitive and user-friendly web design tool is essential. You’re looking for a tool that gives you the capability to alter the layout you’d like to make, and doesn’t need you to spend time learning how to make it happen.
- Uptime
The time it takes for your website to be up and running is the frequency with which your website is accessible to all users across the web. We aim to have it 100 percent. Websites are loaded by what’s really a large computer, referred to as a server and, since it’s a machine, it may need to be updated, restarted and so on. in order to functioning properly. Due to this, maintenance at can’t be 100% uptime and at least 99percent or more range is. What we’re really trying to find is any indications that the site isn’t functioning for extended periods of time.
- Speed of loading
The speed at which your website loads is the speed at which your website opens for visitors. We’ve all been on websites that take ages to load and this is a bit frustrating. The quicker your website loads, the better, however so long as loading times aren’t terribly long, this shouldn’t be a major issue for the majority of people.
- Customer service
Whatever site builder you pick, you’ll likely face issues at some point. whether it’s how to make changes to your website, changing your billing information or any other issue. It is quite likely that you’ll require assistance from customer service at some moment. If you require assistance, it is crucial that it is provided promptly with a useful answer therefore this is an important one.
- Cost
The majority of the web builders I have reviewed here are much less expensive as compared to hiring a professional web developer However, there are nonetheless a range of pricing options. In some instances, you could receive something for more but I also discovered that the most unprofessional companies charge a lot of costs compared to their better skilled counterparts.
An explanation of the costs of building websites:
If you’re shopping for a web-based website builder, I’m sure you’ve been enticed by the promise of cheap (or free) cost. As you would imagine, you generally get what you pay for in web builders. The free ones are generally or really poor (e.g. your website will appear ugly) or they’re not in fact cost-free.
What can they claim to be unpaid if they’re actually not?
The process of registering to get an account is absolutely free However, if you’d like to do everything else, you’ll need to pay
- Custom domain? $20 per year
- Do you have more than five pages? $10 per month
- Start your own store? $20 per month
- Custom email address? $15 per month
I take all of these aspects into consideration when I review each builder of websites, so you know the real cost of building a functional website and not just the promotion cost they charge to bring you to the front.
The Results
PROs
You can sign up for your account for free, pick an option, and then customize it prior to paying for any item.
The most intuitive and easy to use of the site builders I’ve tested.
In addition to the normal drag-and-drop site builder Additionally, you can opt to fill into the database some basic information about your website (background information about yourself or your company) and then having website pre-configured. This helps in the beginning.
It offers a wide range of contemporary templates. Virtually every kind of site that you can imagine is covered by various small companies, to artists, writers, photographers and many more.
Backgrounds with video and other new features are an excellent feature.
Customer service had the fastest response among the web builders I test.
SSL included (important for sites that request credit card details on your website)
CONs
The cost for email accounts is around $4 per month. This can be expensive when you require email accounts for several people.
If you plan to set up an online store , you’ll have to buy an additional bundle ($17 monthly).
at just $10 per month, for the “Combo” package (which should suffice for the majority of people) It’s not the most cost-effective alternative.
Summary of Wix
Overall, I found this to be my most favorite web design tool, and the principal reasons for this were the ease with which and user-friendly it is with the latest templates to choose from. If you’d like to alter the look of your website, simply select it and options pop up to edit text, dragand drop or change background images etc. There are helpful tutorials that appear within the builder. If you’re struggling to figure what you need to do, there’s help available, meaning you don’t need to call customer support for every single aspect.
Personally, I think that an extra few dollars per month is well worth it for the modern and stylish templates as well as the most simple website builder however if you’re seeking the most affordable option then this isn’t the one for you.
The best If…
You want a simple-to-build contemporary looking website. The easiest builder of websites at a an affordable price.
SiteBuilder.com
PROs
Wide range of templates available.
The website builder is simple to use. Drag and drop most of the elements on the page in a snap.
at $4.99 per month, it’s the least expensive of the site builders I have reviewed.
CONs
Website templates appear a bit generic, as I’ve seen many other websites using similar templates. Not as old as other web builders however, they aren’t as up-to-date as Wix or SquareSpace.
Online store is $9 per month.
I’d heard of a lot of the other builders for websites I have reviewed previously, however SiteBuilder was a brand new one for me. Its lack of brand recognition and their low cost made me expect an unsatisfactory performance, but I was delighted to discover a fully-featured website builder that offers an acceptable selection of templates. If you’re just looking to put a website going and you’re not too specific about the design, this might be the right website builder that you need.
The best for if…
You’re very price-sensitive, and don’t mind having a somewhat bland website.
SquareSpace.com
PROs
A good selection of modern and stylish templates.
Website builder is constructed slightly differently from the rest however it is still user-friendly and user-friendly.
SSL is included (important when you intend to request credit card details on your website)
CONs
$114 per month is at the top of the line.
