Websites used to cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to get made. You either had to be a tech genius or hire one.
These options are still available today, of course, but there is also a third one that is faster, simpler, and less expensive — a website builder.
However, with so many website builders on the market, how do you know which one is right for you and your business?
In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to choose a website builder based on different factors so that you can make an informed decision.
Keep reading to learn more!
Do You Need a Website Builder?
Before we get into how to choose a website builder, let’s first answer the question — do you even need one?
A website builder is essentially a tool that lets users create a website without having to code or design it themselves.
Website builders come with templates, drag-and-drop editors, and other features that make creating a website easy, even if you don’t have any experience.
Some people do choose to code or design their own websites. And if that’s something you’re interested in, great! But, for most people, a website builder is a much better choice.
So yes, unless you have the time, skills, and desire to code or design your own website, you should definitely use a website builder.
How to Choose a Website Builder — 7 Factors to Consider
Now that we’ve established that you need a website builder, how do you go about choosing one? Here are seven factors you should consider:
- Budget
When choosing a website builder, it is necessary to take your budget into account. Most website builders have a free plan, so even if you’re on a budget, you should be able to find a suitable one.
Of course, the free plans usually have some limitations, such as not being able to use your own domain name or not having access to certain features. If you need these things, you’ll likely have to upgrade to a paid plan.
Paid plans usually start at around $5/month and can go up to $50/month or more, depending on the website builder and the features you need.
So, make sure to consider how much you’re willing to spend before committing to a website builder.
Depending on your subscription, they may also put storage limits (the number of pages and photos you may include) and data usage (the number of continuous visitors).
Additionally, you might have to pay for a domain name and the removal of the website builder’s logo or tag from the homepage.
- Number of Themes
The themes that a website builder offers are where the design of your site starts once you start using it.
You choose one of the themes offered by your website builder as a foundation for your website, then you can edit and customize it to make it your own.
It’s important to check if the website builder you’re interested in has a good selection of themes. Ideally, it should offer multiple themes in different categories so that you can find one that suits your website’s subject matter.
- Customer Reviews
A lot of website builders overstate their features and use strategic marketing techniques to try and appear better than they are.
This is why it’s important to do your research and read customer reviews to verify the claims that the website builder makes.
Reviews are often available on the website builder’s website, although it’s recommended to visit independent websites to get an unbiased opinion. Trustpilot, Sitejabber, and G2 Crowd are all great places to read customer reviews.
- Ease and Simplicity
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a website builder is how easy and simple it is to use.
You should have no trouble understanding the system and creating a website with your chosen website builder.
Many providers today offer visual drag-and-drop editors that let you use the keyboard and mouse to move different elements around the screen and build your website without having to touch a single line of code. If you lack coding skills, look for a website builder that offers this type of editor.
You should also consider other things like how easy it is to change your website’s design, add pages and content, and how intuitive the whole system is.
- CMS
A content management system or CMS makes working with information blocks convenient and easy.
The presence of a content management system will be necessary for you if you want to regularly add content to your website.
Additionally, if you want to give other users the ability to add, edit, or delete content on your website, then you’ll definitely need a CMS.
Most, if not all, website builders have a built-in CMS. However, some website builders have more user-friendly and intuitive CMSs than others.
If you think you might need a CMS, make sure to check how user-friendly the one offered by your chosen website builder is.
- Plugins and Apps
Another factor to consider is the plugins and apps available for your chosen website builder. Plugins and apps can add new features and functionality to your website, so it’s important to make sure that there are plenty of them available.
The best website builders will have a wide selection of free and paid plugins and apps. However, the quality of these plugins and apps can vary greatly.
So, make sure to do your research and read reviews before installing any plugins or apps on your website.
- Support
If you encounter any issues while using your website builder, it’s important to know that you can rely on the support team for help.
This is why it’s recommended to check what kind of support your chosen website builder offers before signing up.
Ideally, the provider should offer 24/7 support so you can always get help when needed. Additionally, it’s helpful if the support team can be contacted via multiple channels like phone, email, or live chat.
Also Read: How To Create A Website Without A Website Builder?
Conclusion
Knowing how to choose a website builder is important if you want to create a successful website.
There are numerous website builders on the market, so it’s important to consider your individual needs and preferences before choosing one.
The factors listed above are some of the most important things to keep in mind when choosing a website builder. So, make sure to take them into account before making your final decision.
Amit Gupta is the founder of Website-Builder.Guide.
Amit has spent over half a decade learning about website design and using multiple website builders. He has previously worked on designing websites for multiple clients and loves helping people with their website needs.