Build Your Dream Website With The 10 Best Website Builders

There isn’t a universal solution for selecting the ideal website builder; you must identify the right combination of price and features to meet your specific requirements.

Essential Features of Website Builders

A website builder simplifies many of the complex tasks involved in managing a website. Here are some key features to consider:

Drag-and-Drop Interface: Many website builders provide a drag-and-drop functionality, allowing you to design your web pages as if you were creating a collage. This can include elements like text, images, videos, and other components. The degree of customization varies by builder, with some offering rigid themes and others allowing extensive adjustments without coding.

Customization Options: The ability to choose colors, fonts, and layouts is vital for making your website unique. Every builder should offer these customization features, and the more options available, the better.

E-commerce Capabilities: If you run a small business aiming to sell online, features like easy checkout, quick product additions, and multiple payment options are crucial.

Image and Video Storage: Website builders facilitate the uploading of images and videos. For instance, Squarespace provides an image gallery, enabling you to edit, remove, and store media for future use. Storage options typically depend on the subscription level.

Hosting and Domains: Besides design, creating a website requires a web host and a domain name (the URL to access your site). Many website builders offer these services in addition to the design features. If you already own a domain but wish to switch builders (for example, if you bought your domain through GoDaddy and want to use Wix for design), you’ll need to transfer your domain to the new platform.

Third-Party Integrations: Website builders often allow the integration of third-party applications, such as social media feeds or shopping carts. Lead capture forms are also common, enabling potential clients to provide their information, which can be directly sent to your preferred CRM or database.

Mobile Compatibility: With a significant number of users browsing the web on mobile devices, mobile compatibility is essential. Many builders automatically include this feature, letting you preview your site’s mobile version during editing. Some can even adjust design elements automatically for optimal performance across various devices.

Business Email: Most website builders offer the option to create an email address using your domain name. Some charge extra for this feature, while others may include one or two free email addresses but charge for additional ones, so it’s important to choose the right plan for your needs.

Analytics and Reporting: While many people use Google Analytics for traffic analysis, most website builders include their own basic traffic analytics with easy-to-read reports, suitable for beginners. These tools provide insights into where your traffic originates and how visitors discover your site. If you’re focused on enhancing your SEO and expanding your site’s reach, you might need to invest in more specialized analytics software, but the tools provided by most builders are usually sufficient for individuals and small businesses.

SEO Functionality: Generally, website builders incorporate basic SEO features. You should be able to add meta tags and descriptions to blog posts, modify webpage titles, and include alternative text for images, all of which can improve your ranking in search engine results. The best builders at least cover the essentials of SEO and allow you to adjust your site for optimization.

Transferability: While you may not be considering site migration now, it’s an important factor when choosing a website builder. If you create a site you like but the builder makes changes you dislike, can you transfer your site to another builder? You should be able to move your domain, but you’ll need to manually list your page URLs, download images, and copy content to build a new site. Templates and site structure won’t transfer automatically.

Ease of Use

The best website builder for you will depend partly on how user-friendly it is. Whether it features a drag-and-drop editor for real-time customization or a more complex code-based editor for in-depth adjustments, the builder should align with your design preferences. A complicated interface can discourage you from working on your website.

Customer Support

Reliable customer service is crucial, as any issues with your site could hinder your ability to market or sell products online. Accessible, dependable support that can resolve problems quickly is invaluable for small businesses.

Reputation

Reading reviews is one of the best ways to gauge a company’s quality. Review aggregators like Trustpilot, Mvstlove, or the Better Business Bureau provide insights into how a company treats its customers and what you might expect in case of issues.

Hosting and Domains

Every website requires a web host and a domain name, and acquiring a custom domain is an effective way to strengthen your online brand. If you don’t already have a trusted host, using a website builder for hosting can be an option, but ensure they guarantee reliable uptime and support. Additionally, look into the costs associated with domain registration and other hosting services (such as security and maintenance).