Choosing a Website Builder
With all of the different platforms available to create your website on, it can be difficult to know which web-builder is best for you. But knowing more about your business model & forecasted growth can help you to choose a builder that is best for you!
Step 1: Get to know your options
All in one Website Platforms
These website builder platforms are designed for the beginner. This is designed for those who do not have past experience or lots of time to learn how to build websites. These platforms are made to be easy to use and to take the stress out of website building.
Wix: A visual way to build your website, this is create for creatives as there are ways to customize your website easily. https://www.wix.com
Squarespace: Another visual based website builder, this one is the most simple for beginners but does require more money to begin creating a website. https://www.squarespace.com
Jimdo: Similar to Squarespace, this platform offers draggable modules to build your website from customizable templates. https://www.jimdo.com
Weebly: Similar to Square Space and Jimdo, this platform offers many templates, but they also offer e-commerce management to simplify managing orders, shipping, and payments. https://www.weebly.com
Shopify: The most popular website builder for e-commerce brands due to its simplicity and customizable website designs. https://www.shopify.com
Ecwid: Another popular platform for e-commerce as they offer easy online to in-store inventory tracking and payment processes. This Website builder also offers modern payment methods such as Google Pay and Apple Pay. https://www.ecwid.com
More powerful Content Management Platforms
These website builders are more powerful and flexible, but they do require a decent amount of learning and can be complicated. But these platforms are great for those who want more control over their website design then finding and using pre-exsisting templates.
Word Press.org: This is the most popular website builder across the web. It combines simplicity with customization, however, if you choose to use this site builder, commit some time to learning the platform. https://wordpress.com/home/brittaniesnelders.wordpress.com
Durpal: This is industry-based website builder. You start by choosing your industry, then they will offer you the tools you will need to build your website. https://www.drupal.org
Joomla: This is a more complicated platform that does require you to instal Joomla into your own server or development environment. It is a create step between simply building a website visually without needing to code. However, this platform is more complex and in-depth so they do offer free platform learning courses on their website. https://www.joomla.org
Websites that allow you to Code
These website builders are by far the most powerful and customizable, but that is because you are building it! This is a great option for those who have an interest in coding or coding skills and want to create completely customizable websites.
Adobe Dreamweaver: This is a seamless way for those who use adobe products to build websites. Because they can utilize other aspects from your creative cloud to pull into your website. In addition, they offer side by side visual and coding editing. https://www.adobe.com/products/dreamweaver.html
Coffee Cup: This is a more visual option to build websites were coding is just an option. They offer templates and visual editing with the option to include personal coding later down the road. https://www.coffeecup.com
Komodo IDE: This is the most complicated and difficult to use platform. However, they do offer website building in all of the web languages, python, PHP, Perl, Go, Ruby, Node.js, JavaScripts, and more. Because of this, this is a great site builder if you are using a specific web-language. https://www.activestate.com/products/komodo-ide/
Step 2: Analyze the options & Choose
Now that you know the website builders available. Which is best for you? If you have knowledge in coding or an interest in learning how, then the more in-depth builders may be best for you. If you are a creative, such as myself, and don’t want to spend hours ending your website, then a more simple website builder may be the best option. Many businesses fall in-between, which is why Word Press is one of the most popular website builders. Look at the options and pick what is best for your business, has the growth potential you are seeking for ex: the ability to post a blog or sell products, and works with the time you have to create and maintain a website.
