Building a website can be a daunting task and seem to only be meant for someone with a web design background. While you can pay to outsource your website, you don’t have to. Here is a list of key features to look for in a website builder and the website builders that offer these features. You have the option to buy your domain, or use a free domain provided to you by the host website.
Cost
To gain access to more features on a website builder, almost all sites will offer a level of versions at tiered prices. Before choosing one over another, look into the features that each site offers and the price.
Templates
A good website builder is one that offers you templates to choose from. Templates take away the stress of picking and choosing the critical design elements that can make or break each page. You will have a preset homepage, menu bar and website pages that only require you to add your own text and images.
Drag and Drop
When you’re looking to add elements to your page, "drag and drop" is important. With this design feature, you will have access to all of the elements your template offers. The only editing you have to do is drag and drop elements into the page you are working on. The benefit of this is that there are automated guides that help to align everything properly.
E-commerce
If your company is looking to get into the world of online shopping, having a website builder that allows you access to e-commerce is a huge plus. Just like adding a new page to the website, if the builder you’ve selected allows it, you will be able to add an e-commerce page without having to go through a third party.
Support Team
Building a website is not your strong suit and that’s okay. Most website builders offer a 24/7 support team that you can chat with while you are working.
Mobile Friendly
Websites are best done in a mobile friendly format these days. It’s important your website functions on a mobile device. Most website builders offer you a mobile view to see what your website would look like on a phone. Other builders offer you the ability to edit the site as a web layout and a separate mobile layout. There are website builders that also have a mobile app, allowing you to edit right on your phone.
Domain Name
Your domain name is the URL your website comes up under. With some website builders, the free version of a site gives you a domain name which incorporates their brand into your name. As you go up in cost for a website builder you will have the option to pay for your site thus buying your domain name. This prevents anyone else from using your domain name, and minimizes customer confusing when searching for your site.
If you’re ready to build your own company website, check out this list to see which website builder will suit your needs.
Cost
To gain access to more features on a website builder, almost all sites will offer a level of versions at tiered prices. Before choosing one over another, look into the features that each site offers and the price.
Templates
A good website builder is one that offers you templates to choose from. Templates take away the stress of picking and choosing the critical design elements that can make or break each page. You will have a preset homepage, menu bar and website pages that only require you to add your own text and images.
Drag and Drop
When you’re looking to add elements to your page, "drag and drop" is important. With this design feature, you will have access to all of the elements your template offers. The only editing you have to do is drag and drop elements into the page you are working on. The benefit of this is that there are automated guides that help to align everything properly.
E-commerce
If your company is looking to get into the world of online shopping, having a website builder that allows you access to e-commerce is a huge plus. Just like adding a new page to the website, if the builder you’ve selected allows it, you will be able to add an e-commerce page without having to go through a third party.
Support Team
Building a website is not your strong suit and that’s okay. Most website builders offer a 24/7 support team that you can chat with while you are working.
Mobile Friendly
Websites are best done in a mobile friendly format these days. It’s important your website functions on a mobile device. Most website builders offer you a mobile view to see what your website would look like on a phone. Other builders offer you the ability to edit the site as a web layout and a separate mobile layout. There are website builders that also have a mobile app, allowing you to edit right on your phone.
Domain Name
Your domain name is the URL your website comes up under. With some website builders, the free version of a site gives you a domain name which incorporates their brand into your name. As you go up in cost for a website builder you will have the option to pay for your site thus buying your domain name. This prevents anyone else from using your domain name, and minimizes customer confusing when searching for your site.
If you’re ready to build your own company website, check out this list to see which website builder will suit your needs.
|
Cost |
Templates |
Drag and Drop |
Support Team |
E-commerce |
Mobile Friendly |
Domain Name |
Basic membership is free |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
14-day free trial period |
✓ |
X |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Basic membership is free |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Basic membership is free |
✓ |
X |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Basic membership is free |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
