When launching a product to a client, the first method a small business considers is often internet commerce. The rationale is that clients primarily search the internet to satisfy their needs. Today, site-building is incredibly quick and affordable. The market offers variety of site builders for different purposes. A business owner can choose a website builder in accordance with any demanding ideas.
The reasons for site builders’ popularity among small businesses are
- Simplicity of webpage creation.
- For many purposes, a site builder can be used free, while the package of additional services is bargain-priced.
- A business owner builds the site him/herself. All changes are made at once without any time lag between having a new idea and its presentation on the website.
What is a site builder?
It is a set of web tools to create and administer your website online. Site builders do not require specific knowledge for use. Hence, interfaces and options are mostly user-friendly and intuitive.
The user chooses a template in accordance with his/her requirements. It could be a web-store or photo studio, a shop or restaurant, or professional services. The variety of templates is plentiful. In addition, the builder’s options allow you to create the content and design features.
Advantages of site builders are:
- All site builders have user-friendly interfaces. The menus are intuitive. Site building is a sequential, step-by-step process. The user doesn’t need to know any programming language to create a business/selling site.
- Most site builders have a wide range of templates. The variety of themes with diverse designs suit any business. Besides the template can be significantly updated and improved due to available options.
- For each business mission, the owner can find additional features: social network integration, messengers, feedback form setting, forums and blogs.
- Modern site builders offer portable applications, drag and drop function, SEO page settings and so on.
- Site builders are convenient for small businesses as they cover all components for a sharp price: domain, web hosting and site maintenance. Sometimes the package includes email, backup and some other additional options.
- All user’s data are kept safely on the site builder’s server.
To help you surf the site builders’ market here comes…
Most popular site builders review
- Wix — skilled and full-featured website builder.
Pros: Rich pool of proficient templates for business and other uses. Numerous applications in the app-store. Powerful content management system allows implementation of sophisticated ideas.
Cons: Wix is perfect for creative small business, but seems too arty for practical business. - Weebly — very well-laid-out, perfect for beginners.
Pros: Gathers statistics. The account has a free option. Offered designs can satisfy any taste.
Cons: User has to pay separately for an email account. Photo editing feature lacks some options. - Squarespace — the highlight of this site builder is the blogging features. None of the competitors has such variety of blog options.
Pros: Customized to SEO and e-commerce. It has plenty of site building tools. Sophisticated designs adjust to mobile screens.
Cons: No free account option. It’s not that intuitive as some competing site builders. - Jimbo — An attractive package of services, including building tools, domain, email and forum.
Pros: Allows search engine optimization (SEO.) It has social network integration. The top price of the package is lower than its competitors.
Cons: Some building options don’t show up on menu panel. Uploaded photos can’t be adjusted. - DudaOne — Very user-friendly though powerful site builder, and it offers mobile site creation.
Pros: Has web store settings. Free account is available. Building settings are very mobile devices oriented.
Cons: User can’t transfer site to another host. Doesn’t have blog option. - Webnode — Boasts a variety of settings for larger websites.
Pros: Offers features for multilingual site development. It is suitable for SEO.
Cons: The range of templates is quite weak. - One.com — this site builder is perfect for small pages with a flat structure.
Pros: The price is a bargain. Support service is client-oriented.
Cons: Doesn’t have online store and integrated blog options. - Strikingly — one of the easiest builders to create a cozy website.
Pros: Has the option of full site preview. An absolute beginner can start site building without any frustration.
Cons: Templates are quite simple. Many basic features are available only in paid account. - GoDaddy Website Builder — smart and easy-to-use site builder.
Pros: Based on a drag & drop feature. The tools include photo editing. Layouts are mobile-optimized.
Cons: The editor has many bugs. Technical support is weak. The builder doesn’t have a blogging feature. Many features require separate purchase. - Yola — convenient for small, flat website building. Suitable for creating a small online store as it has e-commerce widgets.
Pros: Very easy to use. Full range of features is available.
Cons: Free account is quite poor. The builder has limited mobile settings options. No blog option.
Industry, location and mission of the business — all of these can be criteria for site builder selection. Following the aim of the business should help define your choice.
