A website builder is an online tool that lets you design and build your own website using drag-and-drop features, templates, apps and more. In this guide, we will show you the benefits of using a website builder and how to get started with one.
What are the benefits of using a website builder?
There are many advantages of using a website builder over other methods, such as WordPress or external designers and developers. Here are some of the main ones:
- No programming or technical skills required. Website builders are designed for people with little to no technical skills. You can create a website by simply typing in text, uploading images, or changing and moving any element with a simple click and drag of the mouse – all without having to write or edit a line of code.
- Your website can be edited at any time from any computer. Because website builders are online-based, your web files are hosted on the service provider’s server – not your own computer. You can log into your account, make a change and click save or publish and your changes are live – all you need is a web browser and an Internet connection, any time and from any device.
- No design talent required. Designing a website that attracts people requires at least a basic ability in graphic design. But if you are not sure where to start or don’t feel confident in your design skills, you can simply choose a professionally-designed template and go from there. Templates are one of the best features of a website builder and best of all, you don’t have to stick rigidly to the template design as almost all website builders let you customize the template to fit your needs and style.
- Libraries and collections of applications. All website builders come with a library of free applications and tools that you can use to add functionality to your website. There are free and paid applications; some are built into the website builder, and others fully-integrated third-party tools. You can find apps for e-commerce, blogging, social media, analytics, forms, galleries, videos and more.
- Your website is up and ready in no time. Website builders simplify the entire website creation process. You start with pre-designed templates, pre-populated web pages and ready-to-use applications and tools. All you need to do is add in your own content and click on the Publish button and your website is launched in no time.
- Website builders make it easy for you to maintain your own website. Regular website maintenance is a must if you want your website to be successful. Visitors are always on the lookout for what’s new, so it is important that you provide them with new and exciting information, news, products or features. Because of the website builder’s drag-and-drop editor and straightforward, easy-to-use interface, making changes and updates to your website is easy.
- Website builders are cost-effective. Compared to hiring a developer or buying a domain name, web hosting and WordPress themes separately, using a website builder can save you a lot of money. Most website builders offer affordable plans that include everything you need to create and run your website, such as domain name registration, web hosting, SSL certificate, customer support and more.
- Website builders are SEO-friendly. Search engine optimization (SEO) is the process of improving your website’s visibility on search engines like Google or Bing. SEO is crucial for driving organic traffic to your website and increasing your chances of getting more customers or clients. Website builders help you optimize your website for SEO by providing features such as meta tags, sitemaps, URL structure, mobile responsiveness, speed optimization and more.
- Website builders are mobile-friendly. More than half of the web traffic worldwide comes from mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets. Therefore, it is essential that your website looks good and works well on any screen size or device. Website builders ensure that your website is mobile-friendly by using responsive design techniques that automatically adjust your layout and content to fit different screen resolutions.
- Website builders offer customer support. If you ever encounter any problems or have any questions while creating or managing your website, you can always rely on the customer support team of your website builder provider. Most website builders offer various channels of support such as phone, email, chat or help center articles.
How to get started with a website builder?
Now that you know the benefits of using a website builder, you might be wondering how to choose one and get started with it. Here are some steps to follow:
- Choose a website builder that suits your needs and budget. There are many website builders available on the market, each with its own features, pricing and customer reviews. You can compare different website builders using online tools such as Website Builder Comparison Tool or Ecommerce Comparison Tool. You can also read reviews and testimonials from other users to get an idea of their experience and satisfaction.
- Sign up for a free trial or a paid plan. Most website builders offer a free trial period that lets you test their features and functionality before committing to a paid plan. Some website builders also offer a free plan that lets you create a basic website with limited features and storage. If you are serious about creating a professional website, however, you might want to opt for a paid plan that gives you more options and benefits.
- Choose a domain name for your website. A domain name is the address of your website on the Internet, such as www.yourbusiness.com. It is important to choose a domain name that is relevant, memorable and easy to spell and pronounce. Most website builders let you register a new domain name or connect an existing one to your website.
- Choose a template for your website. A template is a pre-designed layout and style for your website that you can customize according to your preferences. Website builders offer hundreds of templates for different categories and purposes, such as business, portfolio, blog, e-commerce, etc. You can browse through the template gallery and preview how they look on different devices before selecting one.
- Add and edit content on your website. Once you have chosen a template, you can start adding and editing content on your website using the drag-and-drop editor. You can add text, images, videos, buttons, forms, maps and more by simply dragging them from the sidebar and dropping them on the page. You can also edit the colors, fonts, backgrounds, margins and other elements of your design using the toolbar or the settings panel.
- Add apps and tools to enhance your website’s functionality. As mentioned earlier, website builders come with a library of apps and tools that you can use to add more features and functionality to your website. For example, you can add an online store, a blog, a booking system, a newsletter sign-up form, a social media feed and more by installing the apps from the app store or the editor. You can also integrate third-party tools such as Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel or Mailchimp using the code injection feature or the custom HTML widget.
- Preview and publish your website. When you are done creating and editing your website, you can preview how it looks and works on different devices using the preview mode. You can also test your links, forms, buttons and other interactive elements to make sure they work properly. If you are happy with the result, you can click on the Publish button and make your website live on the Internet.
Ready to unlock the power of website builder?
As you can see, using a website builder is a great way to create a stunning and functional website without any coding or design skills. Website builders offer many benefits such as ease of use, affordability, flexibility, scalability and more.
If you are ready to unlock the power of website builder and create your own website today, we recommend you check out Webfity, one of the best website builders on the market. Webfity lets you create beautiful websites with drag-and-drop features, responsive templates, powerful apps and tools, SEO optimization and more.
Webfity also offers a free plan that lets you create unlimited websites with unlimited pages and storage. You can also upgrade to a premium plan that gives you access to more features such as custom domain name, SSL certificate, e-commerce functionality and more.
So what are you waiting for? Start your free trial with Webfity today and unlock the power of website builder!