What to Consider When Choosing a Website Builder Platform
What kinds of sites can be created with a website builder?
There are endless possibilities for site creation with today’s technology. The truth is that if you don’t have a website, it can be very hard to sustain your business or brand. Here's a list of just some of the ways you can use a website builder:
Blogs
Portfolio website for artists or photographers
Websites for musicians
Website for businesses like Mom and Pop stores, SMBs, or enterprises
Entertainment sites
Brochure sites
Community forums
How to Pick the Best Website Builder For You
Here are a few crucial tips to help you choose the right site builder for your next project.
- Make the most of free trials and free plans - Most website builders offer excellent free trials or free-forever plans that enable you to create a free website. These usually lack power, but they offer an excellent way to test different platforms.
- Think about what you want to make - Do you want to make an online store, or maybe a music portfolio for your band? The purpose of your website will play a big part in helping you decide which website-building platform you use. For example, you might use Squarespace if you want to create an attractive blog, while Wix is a decent option for portfolios and online stores.
- Factor in your budget - Subscription prices for different website builders vary widely. By setting a budget, you will be able to find a website-building solution that meets your needs.
- A quick note here: It could be tempting to try to stick with a free website builder, but it’s difficult to create a professional site with these. Upgrading to a premium pricing plan is usually a good idea for a professional website.
How Much Does it Cost to Build a Website?
If you decide to use a website builder to create your new website, your main cost will probably be your monthly subscription fee. This can range from as little as a few dollars per month with budget platforms to hundreds or even thousands per month with high-end eCommerce builders.
Unless your subscription comes with a free custom domain, you will also have to pay a domain registration fee. This also ranges from a few dollars to hundreds per year. But don’t worry, you shouldn’t have to pay more than $15 to $20 per year unless you want a premium domain name.
Other costs include developer fees, premium app subscriptions, and subscription fees for things like SEO tools.
Free Website Builders: How Do They Work?
Many website builders offer a free forever subscription option that enables you to create a new website without spending a cent. These may appear like great choices at first glance but remember, nothing is ever truly free.
Using a free website builder has several limitations. Usually, you will have a very small amount of storage, a limit on the number of pages you can add to your site, and some restrictions on the design and management tools you can access.
You may also be stuck with a platform-branded subdomain. In the case of Wix, for example, this looks something like “yoursite.wix.com,” which is far from professional. Many website builders will place adverts on your website if you use their free plan, and some will limit the available customer service options.
At the end of the day, free website builders can be useful for testing platforms, creating simple personal websites, or learning how to build a website from scratch. However, we would highly recommend paying a few dollars per month for a premium subscription if you want to build a high-quality business website - whether it's for small businesses or big ones.
Do I Need a Website Builder?
If you’re looking to create a website with very little effort and lots of DIY tools, a website builder may be the perfect solution. Website builders are great for those who aren’t tech savvy and don’t know how to code. They provide a nice way to get your site online with many up-to-date and modern design options. Basically, website builders provide a great starting point for web design and development.
If you have experience in web design and know how to code, then an online website builder might not be necessary. You can get everything done in an offline website builder by downloading a software and launching your site to a server through it.
Making Money From Your Website
For many people, making money is the main goal of creating a website. There are a few ways to do this, from selling products through an online store to marketing your small business and its services.
Website builders for photography
Specialized