Whether you’re an aspiring blogger, a small business owner, or an established company, having a website allows you to reach a wider audience and showcase your products, services, or ideas. But what if you lack coding skills or technical expertise? This is where website builders come to the rescue.
What Is a Website Builder? Definition of a Website Builder
A website builder is a software tool or platform that allows individuals to create and design websites without the need for coding or technical knowledge. It simplifies the process of website creation by providing a user-friendly interface and pre-designed templates.
Website builders typically offer a range of customizable elements, such as layouts, fonts, colors, and images, making it easy for anyone to build a professional-looking website.
How Does a Website Builder Work?
Website builders employ a drag-and-drop interface, which means you can select and place various elements on your web pages using a simple visual editor. These elements include text boxes, images, buttons, forms, and more.
Website builders often offer a wide range of templates to choose from, which can be customized to match your brand or personal style. You can easily add or remove pages, adjust the layout, and preview your changes in real-time. Once you’re satisfied with the design, the website builder generates the necessary code and publishes your site to the internet.
What Are Some of the Most Important Features of a Website Builder?
1. Intuitive Interface and Drag-and-Drop Functionality
An intuitive interface means that the website builder is designed in a way that is easy to understand and use, especially for beginners. It’s like having a website builder that speaks your language and guides you through the process. It provides clear instructions and simple tools that make building your website feel less complicated and overwhelming.
The drag-and-drop functionality is a feature that makes building a website a lot easier and more visual. Instead of writing complicated code, a website builder with drag-and-drop functionality allows you to select different elements (like text boxes, images, buttons, etc.) and place them exactly where you want on your web pages. You can simply drag the element you want from a menu and drop it onto the desired location on your page. It’s like moving objects around on a digital canvas.
So, what does this mean for you as a beginner? It means that with an intuitive interface and drag-and-drop functionality, you don’t need to have any coding knowledge or technical skills to build your website. You can simply select the elements you want to include on your pages, like text, images, or buttons, and place them where you think they should go by dragging and dropping them. It’s a lot like moving things around on a screen with your mouse.
2. Hosting and Domain Names
Hosting refers to the place where your website’s files and data are stored, making it accessible on the internet. A website builder that offers hosting services means that you don’t have to worry about finding a separate hosting provider or setting up complex server configurations.
In addition, a website builder may also provide the option to register or connect a domain name. A domain name is the address that people type into their browsers to access your website (e.g., www.yourwebsite.com). Having a personalized domain name adds professionalism and credibility to your online presence.
Website builders like Payhip can give you free hosting services as well as a customizable domain name such as payhip.com/[yourcustomnamehere]. But you’ll also have the ability to connect a custom domain name that you purchase from domain hosting services (e.g. GoDaddy).
3. Ecommerce Functionalities
E-commerce functionalities are important features to consider if you plan to sell products or services directly from your website. A website builder that includes e-commerce capabilities can transform your website into an online store, allowing you to showcase and sell your products or services to customers.
Some common eCommerce features provided by website builders include: secure payment processing, shopping cart, inventory management, order management, and more.
Website builders like Payhip, for example, already come with powerful features for you to be able to sell any kind of digital products (e.g. eBooks, online courses, memberships, coaching services) and physical products.
4. Templates and Customization
Website builders offer a variety of professionally designed templates that serve as a starting point for your website. These templates can be customized to reflect your brand, with options to change colors, fonts, images, and layouts.
If you’re an artist looking to showcase your work or create an online portfolio, using the best website builders for artists can be a game-changer. These website builders are specifically designed to meet the unique needs of artists and provide them with the tools and features necessary to create visually stunning and professional websites.
5. Mobile Responsiveness
With the increasing use of mobile devices, it’s crucial for websites to be mobile-responsive. Most website builders provide responsive templates that automatically adjust the layout and design to ensure optimal viewing on various screen sizes.
6. SEO and Analytics
Some website builders offer built-in tools to help optimize your site for search engines (SEO) and track its performance through analytics. These features enable you to improve your site’s visibility and monitor visitor behavior. Here’s an example of how to optimize SEO for your website if you build your website using Payhip.
Do I Need a Website Builder? Why Should I Use a Website Builder?
There are several compelling reasons why using a website builder can be beneficial for you regardless of whether you building a website for personal use or for business purposes:
- Easiest way to create a website without technical know-how: If you want to create a website but don’t know how to code or don’t possess any technical skills and/or do not have the budget to hire a professional web developer, then using a website builder is the perfect way to go! Your website-building experience will feel more like playing with building blocks or assembling a puzzle, rather than a technical nightmare.
- Cost-Effective: Building a website from scratch or hiring a web developer can be expensive. Website builders like Payhip are completely free, and you can build a beautiful and professional website within minutes!
- Time-Saving: Website builders streamline the website creation process by eliminating the need for coding and design work. You can have a functional website up and running in a matter of hours, rather than weeks or months.
- Customization Options: Despite their ease of use, website builders offer a range of customization options, allowing you to create a website that reflects your unique brand or personal style.
How Do I Get Started With a Website Builder?
Getting started with a website builder is a straightforward process:
- Choose a Website Builder: Research different website builders and compare their features, pricing, and customer reviews to find the one that best suits your needs. We recommend using Payhip as it is completely free and it already comes with powerful eCommerce tools for you to be able to sell any products from your website.
- Customize Your Website: Personalize your website by adding your content, such as text, images, and videos. Customize the colors, fonts, and layouts to match your brand or style.
- Publish Your Website: Once you’re satisfied with the design and content, click the publish button to make your website live on the internet. Some website builders also offer options to connect your own domain or provide a domain name for you.
If you prefer learning through visual instructions, we have prepared a detailed guide that will walk you through the process of creating a website for free. See the video below: