Are you planning on creating a website for a new online startup? Do you want to build a website that has all the tools and features that you and your target customer will need? Before you build a website, you need to know the best website builder software that has all you need.
The coronavirus caused a large shift in the e-commerce industry, giving online retail orders a 146% growth throughout the year. Also, with the pandemic restrictions, it’s only natural for businesses to shift online. Before you can join the e-commerce industry, you’ll need a good website first.
Before you can get a website, you need a good website builder. Below, we have a guide on how to find the best website builder for your business. Keep reading to learn how.
1. Consider the Tools and Features
Consider what you want to do on your website. You want to make sure that the website has all the functions you’ll need. It can include adding a blog, a shopping cart, or third-party marketing tools.
Certain website functions will need certain features. For example, if you want to add customer support, you may want a live chat feature on your website. If you have social media, certain apps can incorporate your social media on the website.
The most popular website builders that offer a wide array of website features are:
- Weebly
- Wix
- Squarespace
- HostGator
Consider Squarespace if you want a professional website builder with SSL security, SEO features, image galleries. If you want a website builder with an image editor, social buttons, and an integrated site blog, try Wix.
2. Is It Easy to Use?
What level of experience do you have in website design and creation? Are you looking to create a simple website, an online store, a blog, or all combined? Do you want to include media on your websites, like a video or photo gallery?
Before you consider all those things, you need to have a good understanding of the website builder. However, not all website builders are the same. Some have a steeper learning curve while others offer great accessibility.
If you’re new to the game of website-building, you’d want a website builder that matches your skill level. It won’t need any coding skills or knowledge from you. A beginner-friendly website builder walks you through the steps of creating one. It also uses a simple structure to help you understand what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.
Absolute beginners will love the drag-and-drop features of the best website builder software. Also, expert website makers will appreciate the ease of use that these builders offer. Examples of easy-to-use website builders are Gator (HostGator), Domain.com, Shopify, and Weebly.
3. Check the Price
When you choose a website builder, don’t forget to consider the pricing and how it compares to the features. Freelancers and small businesses don’t have large funds for costly website builders. Even medium-sized businesses hesitate to spend a huge sum on costly website builders.
The good news is that you can find website builders that offer free trials to interested users. Website builders like Weebly, Wix, and Duda have 14-day free trials. WordPress is a free website builder, but you’ll need a domain name and web hosting.
Often, entry-level subscriptions will cost you between $10 and $14 per month for a website. If you want to upgrade to intermediate subscriptions, prepare $15-$20 per month. If you want high-end drag-and-drop design packages, they’ll cost between $25 and $40 monthly.
These high-end packages often include more customization options and better analytics. However, they’re also better suited to enterprises and big businesses. If you want help with building an amazing website at an affordable price, get help from oshyn.com.
As a tip, if you’re working with a budget, consider website builders that offer bundles for services. This way, you can pick bundles that contain the services and feature you need. Buying bundles will help you save money and get all the services you need for your website.
4. Learn About Data Ownership and Portability
It’s easy to overlook this, but don’t forget to consider data ownership and portability. The reason is that you won’t know what you’ve gotten into until it’s too late. Website owners will often realize that there’s an issue when they try to end a contract or change providers.
Sometimes, when you try to access your website files, you’ll receive a huge fee first or a refusal. You’ll get reminders that the hosting provider is the legal owner of your website and everything in it. If you refuse to pay the monthly fees, you may even risk losing everything you worked hard to create.
To avoid this, check the terms of service of the website builder software before you commit to it. Take a close look at the fine print in the clauses of a contract. What you want to see is that you own the domain name, design and visuals, and content.
You also want to have control over the source code and content management system (CMS). The rightful owner of the CMS is the provider. However, you need to have the ability to choose a CMS and ask for a website you can transfer to another CMS.
As a future website owner, make sure your data is yours. This way, when you decide to change platforms, you won’t experience any issues.
5. Don’t Forget About Designs and Themes
When you design a website, you’d want it to be unique and creative. This won’t be a problem, since many of the best website builders offer a variety of themes, templates, and designs. All you need is a bit of creativity, high-definition images, and engaging content.
For example, a great website builder that gives you full control of your website is WordPress. It also gives your website more features when you install WordPress plugins. Such plugins can add unique features to your website like visitor analytics.
Do you need to pay extra fees for extra-special themes? Are you particular about the visual design of your website? Consider also how many themes and templates a website creator offers.
In 2019, e-commerce took 10% of total retail sales, meaning that money is in e-commerce. If you plan to create an e-commerce website, it needs to be attractive and well-designed. Using the proper templates and designs for your website can make a huge difference in its sales performance.
6. Does It Offer Customer Support?
Let’s say that you chose the best website builder that suits your preferences and website needs. Now, imagine that your website goes down or experiences crashes at a crucial time. If such issues don’t get resolved as soon as possible, you risk losing a big portion of your sales and income.
This won’t always happen at such dire times, but let’s face it: it happens. The best way to ensure that you can handle it is if you know that your hosting provider can as well. When the website builder crashes, how fast can the hosting provider respond to the emergency?
One way to find out is to look at the customer support services that a website builder has. The best website builders have 24/7 customer service. They also provide customer services through telephone, email, and live chat.
7. Look for One With Good Mobile Speed and Usability
How much of your work do you do on your mobile phone now? Did you know that more people are now dependent on smartphones for internet access? 17% of adults use mobile to access the internet and have no broadband at home.
Also, Google ranks websites by prioritizing mobile-responsiveness. If you don’t optimize your website for mobile devices, you’re not likely to get a good ranking on Google. It’s only smart to make sure that mobile devices can open the website you create.
Website builders like Squarespace and Hibu offer mobile support. They also let you decide how you want your website to look like on a mobile screen. Other website builders that have mobile-responsive designs are Wix, Weebly, and Duda.
8. Which One Is the Best Website Builder Software?
The best website builder software for each business is different. Remember that it depends on the focus of the business. A website for online retail has different needs compared to a blogging website.
Also, keep in mind that you won’t always find the right software on the first try. Sometimes, you’ll need to do trial and error before you find a website builder that has everything you need. Most of the ones we mentioned have free trial periods, so don’t be afraid to use them to your advantage.
If you want to find the best website builder, learn what you need and your goals. Research the options you have and learn which will fit your needs the most. Have back-up options available in case the first pick doesn’t do the trick.
Get the Right Website Builder for Your Website
That is the end of our guide on choosing the best website builder software for you.
We hope you found this guide on website builders useful and informative. Now, you know what you need to do to find the right website creator for your ideal website.
Did you enjoy reading this guide on how to pick the best website creator? Do you want to educate yourself further on building and maintaining a website? Check out our other guides on website creation and optimization now.