Whether you own a blog or a business website, you surely aspire to grow your audience or online business. This daunting task can be achieved by building an efficient and user-friendly website.
But, building a website can be an intimidating task for a new user who lacks the knowledge of HTML or manual coding.
So, chances are very high, that you will ultimately seek for a professional website builder to build your website. But, hiring a professional website builder can be very costly.
So, Instead of hiring a professional to build your website, you can use website builders to build your website and eventually grow your business.
Website builders like Wix, Weebly and WordPress.com are online tools which help in building a website without manual code editing.
Use of WordPress for stemjar.com itself a testimony that website builder is kind of sufficient for most of your needs of building a website.
These website builders can be a lifesaver for your website.
So, in this article, we will sift what a Website builder is, how it works, its pros and cons along with the crucial features you should look for in a good website builder.
What is a website builder?
Website builders are an exceptional kind of content management system (CMS) which helps in building a website.
They are nothing but a set of tools which allows a user in developing or constructing a website without needing any manual code editing. It aids users to create professional websites swiftly and smoothly.
Website builders are user-friendly and easy to use. With website builders, customizing and building website becomes an easy task with no expertise needed.
It not only helps in developing a website in minutes but also ensures full and functional online presence to a website.
Website builders have user-friendly interface and with the help of it, updating and customizing the website’s content, images or multimedia content becomes more comfortable and tranquil.
Website Builders are of two types
Offline Website Builders
Offline website builders are a set of softwares that you can download and install on a computer. Through offline website builders, you will build your website offline, and all the files will get save on your computer only.
Later you will have to upload all these files to your web host when your website is ready. Like for example, one of the renowned offline Website Builders is Rapidweaver.
Online Website Builders
Online website builders are online tools which are mostly provided by web hosting companies for free.
Here, you don’t have to install or download software on your computer like in Offline website builder, instead of all the work will be done online on a server.
Online website builders are of great help to people who have little or no coding experience. For example, Website.com is an online website builder.
How does Website builder work?
Most of the website builders are online website builders and work on the principle of cloud storage. That means a user can access the website at any point of time from anywhere.
The first and foremost thing you will need a domain name for your website for the website builder to work. If you have not got one, then website builder can help you in that too.
Website builders are designed in a way that they are very easy to use and have a user-friendly interface which allows even novice to build an entire website within minutes without using complex coding.
Now let’s see some essential functions which will help you understand how a website builder works.
Templates
Whether you are a blogger or you are running a small business on your website, you will surely need professional looking templates that display your products or niches on your homepage.
Website builders come with a variety of website templates, so one can choose a template as per ones need by using elementary techniques like drag and drop alignment.
Pages and sections
You will need standard pages and sections on your website like Homepage, ‘About us’ page section, Contact page, your products or a portfolio of your services.
All this can be done through Website builders, which helps in creating these pages without the use of any manual coding.
Media
Website builders encompass a vast library of media like high-quality images, from here you can select these images to create your background and headers.
It also helps in embedding HD videos on your website. That means you can easily upload or feature product, tutorial or even customer review videos on your website using website builders.
Social media
Social media forms a plinth to drive traffic to a website. With the help of website builder, you can link your social media accounts to your website in seconds.
It further allows you to share content from your website to your social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, etc. and get in touch with your audience.
SEO and analytics
Website builders, as said are user-friendly and have built-in online tools for SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and Google analytic integration.
So, website builders are very comfortable to use, and as it runs on a web browser, you will not have to worry about installing and downloading any softwares on your computer.
From creating templates to linking social media accounts, everything is possible with website builders without the need of any expertise or HTML coding.
What are the different Benefits of Website Builders?
1. Website builder doesn’t require complex coding or technical expertise
Website builders are of great use to people with no technical background, as using website builder tools for website building don’t need any technical expertise or complex manual coding.
Through its simple drag and drop alignments and user-friendly interface, even an average person can quickly build his website.
2. Website builders can be used anywhere at any time
As website builders work on technology like cloud share, you can promptly get access to your website from any interface at any given time.
All you need is a web browser and an internet connection, and you can do almost anything from anywhere.
3. Designing of a website becomes comfortable with Website
Design of a website is like a soul of a website, which gives the first impression of the website. Designing a website needs some requisite but not when you are using website builders.
You can choose professionally looking designed template from the library of templates and designs available in the library of website builders.
4. Libraries and collections of applications
Website builders come with a library of free and essential applications which adds functionality to a website. All these applications work on the drag-and-drop alignment, so are very easy to use too.
5. Website builders have low maintenance
Website builders don’t need constant upkeep or maintenance. Infact, they are very easy to maintain. Owing to their simple setup, you can easily update your website with fresh content regularly with no stress at all.
6. Website builder doesn’t require Big budget
Website builders are very affordable compared to the cost of hiring a professional website builder. Instead, it costs less than 1% of what a website builder will charge.
There are numerous free and paid plans available on website builders, from here a user can choose a plan of its choice.
Are there any limitations of Website Builder?
Having understood the benefits, lets understand the limitations with website builder especially with respect to desigining and coding a website.
1. Website Builders have limited pages or functions
If you have big plans for building a big website with advanced features or broad page structure, then Website builder might not serve you in this.
Website builder might set limits on the number of pages a site can have, offer few e-commerce options, or lack responsiveness capabilities.
2. Web builders limit experienced developers
Website builders might limit an experienced user in customizing his website with more advanced features.
So, if you want a website with fully customized site codes and functions or more advanced features, then website builders might not be of great use to you.
3. Slow Loading Time
Though the design of your website matters a lot, your website needs to load fast too. Websites which are built using free website builders might load very slowly as compared to paid and expensive website builders.
4. Limited Pages
Mostly free website builders allow only creating a slew of pages. Many website builders allow up to four pages while some only allow forming one or two pages.
So, either you have to upgrade to premium website builder plans, or you will have limited access to pages.
Some basic features you should look for in a good Website builder
1. Ease of use
As you are choosing a website builder for building your website without using manual code editing. Choose a website builder which is easy to use and user-friendly and doesn’t require any technical expertise to operate it.
2. High-Quality Templates
Templates are like a lifeline of a website, and it gives the first impression of a website to the audience. So, choosing a website builder with high-quality and professional-looking templates become very pivotal.
3. Social Compatibility
In the era of the preponderance of social media, you can make use of social media to drive traffic to your website. So, you should always choose a website builder which allows you to link and integrate your social media accounts.
4. Quick Updates
It is a well-known fact that Content is the king of a website. So, it becomes very crucial for a website to update content regularly. So, make sure your website builder is the one which helps you to edit and update content on your website with ease.
5. Form builder
You will need to create and customize forms like Contact form, Registration from or even a feedback form on your website. So choosing a website builder which allows creating highly customizable form fields is a must.
Over to you
Now you have understood the importance of Website builders for a website along with the minute disadvantages which comes along with Website builders. S
o, before you leap forward to choose a website builder, so you should look for some basic yet essential features of a website builder. Choosing the right web site builder is exemplary for any website, as it can make or break your website in the long run.
As per the customer reviews, and experts’ recommendations, some of the leading website builders are Wix, Weebly, SITE123, WordPress.com, and Jimdo.
As the saying goes, it is better to prepare and prevent than to repair and repent. So before going for any website builder do research about it and always have a master sketch of what features you expect from a website builder.
As, when your web audience visits your website, the first thing they will look for is a professional looking website. So choose a website builder that build your website to the best in the most effective and easy way.