A website builder is a tool or program that helps you to create a website to a high standard without the need for prior coding experience. Websites builders are great for anyone wanting a website without going through the hassle that usually comes with creating them. Some offer an all-inclusive hosting service which makes your website even easier to manage.[5]
Types of Website Builders
Offline Website Builders
These usually come as software that can be installed on your personal computer or server. You will need to build your website and then save the files onto the computer that you have used. When your website is complete, all you need to do is upload all your website files to a website hosting service.[2]
Advantages
Accessible without an internet connection
More flexible than online counterparts
Some allow source code modifications
Free trial versions are numerous
Disadvantages
Some experience would be needed to upload to the website hosting service
Payment for web hosting account is needed in addition to the software
You need to download software
You can’t make changes to your site from anywhere in the world due to no online capabilities
Some are expensive
Long waiting times for installation
Online Website Builders
These are online web-based services that you can access through the internet at any time, through any device. Some come with web hosting services included for free. They are primarily tailored to people with minimal experience in making websites.[1][2]
Advantages
Access to your site from anywhere
More likely to be up to date as you can have automatic updates
Some have a limited mobile experience
They take less time to maintain
Quick and easy to use
Many different platforms are available
Disadvantages
Templates can be hard to customise when wanting a drastic change or feature
Tend to have problems integrating a search engine properly
You need to register with the website build in order to have access to them
Features that website builders offer
For website builders to be successful, their main features should be intuitive and easy to comprehend. Website builders need to be able to assist users who have various levels of experience, from the most basic internet user to the more experienced user that performs tasks on the internet frequently.[5]
Website builders offer services and add-ons which you can incorporate into the site that you are building. These features enable you to build a website in very little time while adding functionality to the website. Some of the features that website builders provide are outlined below.[5]
Website Templates
Website builders offer ready-made web page layouts to choose from. The range of options would vary with the website builder chosen. The level of customisation within themes can vary widely between different website builders[1].
E-Commerce Tools
If your website is an online shop that sells a service or a product, you will need a shopping cart as well as payment tools such as PayPal etc. You can have features that check and monitor the stock levels within your business and send that information back to your online store. This is a great way to maintain the reliability of an online store[1][2].
Multimedia Features
You will need to have images on your website in order to create a positive user experience. Videos may also be included, which are great for grabbing attention. For instance, YouTube videos could be shown on your website to engage the user and deter them from exiting your website[6].
Social Media Features
Links to social media profiles will bring customers to your website. Many website builders will have social media tools built in which encourage users to share the website pages[1].
SEO
Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is the search engine ranking system that helps to attract visitors to your website. For example, it would be useful to help Google display links to your website when certain keywords are typed into Google search[6].
All website builders would use one of the following:
Cloud Services
A scalable payment plan managed through the internet without any third party companies involved. They provide easy access to the website through the internet and are usually more suitable for smaller sized businesses or personal websites[6]. A good example is Wix.
Web Services
A bundle service that includes domain and web hosting together. These are great for large companies with many employees that would need access to the website[6].
On-Premise Server
Your own web server and infrastructure would be required as these are normally installed on local servers or third party servers. In general, they offer a wide variety of customizable options. WordPress is a good example[6].
Author: Aaron Edwards
Editor: Ruby Osborne
references:
[1] Solutions Inc., "What features should a website builder have?," Solutions Inc., 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.website.com/website-builder-and-web-design/what-features-should-a-website-builder-have.
[2] Simbla Inc., "Website Builder: Going Online or Offline?," Simbla.Inc, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://www.simbla.com/website_builder_going_online_or_offline.
[3] Computer Hope, "What is a website?," Computer Hope , 11 November 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/w/website.htm.
[5] Kasee Bailey , "What is a website builder? Everything you need to know," New Dream Network, LLC , 14 June 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/what-is-a-website-builder/.
[6] Finances Online, "What is website builder software?," FinancesOnline.com, 1 January 2019. [Online]. Available: https://financesonline.com/website-builder-software-analysis-features-benefits-pricing/.
[Figure 1] Free From Wix Images "Website Mockup". CC0. 2019.
[Figure 2] Free From Wix Images "App-Apple-Business". CC0. 2019.
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