When it comes to building a website, today's designers have a staggering amount of choices in terms of design tools. You no longer need to have any knowledge of coding or web design to get started. Some of the most popular tools include blogging and website builder platforms, which allow casual users to create and publish a unique website in the span of an afternoon. Yet these feature vastly different levels of control and customization for the designer. While any good program will equip you with templates and web hosting services, the best website builder will allow content management, precise layout customization, and other specific features.
Fully Customizable Templates
One of the primary benefits of using a website builder for beginners is the availability of design templates. Yet this same benefit can be a problem for designers with a bit more experience, because it may be limiting. Some website builders will offer you a few dozen templates to choose from, only allowing you to change variables like colours, fonts, and patterns. If you want more control over your website's design, you'll want to look for a comprehensive program that offers you the ability to create custom backgrounds, change margins, and apply features like rounded corners or gradients if you wish.
Ecommerce Functions
Website builders like Shopify and Yola are set up to enable online sales. These are good options for business owners, freelancers, or bloggers who wish to expand into sales and marketing. When comparing ecommerce sites, look at the types of payment gateways each offers as well as inventory management functions. The best options will present products in organized categories, have an easy to use checkout system, and will send you alerts when a new sale is made for timely shipping.
Social Media Integration
No matter what type of website you're setting up, you'll want to be able to link it with your social networking profiles. Programs like Weebly and Webs offer full social media integration along with web hosting. Look for features such as the ability to place social media buttons directly on the blog, cross-post content, and set up user forums for your clients or audience.
User Support
The best platforms will offer technical support to help you get your newly created website off the ground. If you have little prior knowledge of coding or web design, it's important to choose a platform that gives some degree of assistance. The best will offer FAQ and troubleshooting sections, online tutorials, and a customer support section where you can get direct answers for any questions you might have.
In the end, the right platform will depend on your personal needs and design experience. Those who have some technical experience or training will want to find a website builder with more room for creativity in the design, while beginners will want a more comprehensive user support system. The best options will be both flexible and user-friendly, for professional, swift results.