What to Consider When Choosing a Website Builder

We're living in the digital age, where the virtual world is a thriving economy, a platform for displaying creativity, and a means of spreading information. Under these circumstances, having a website is vital, whether you're an entrepreneur hoping to develop an online storefront, an artist looking to promote your portfolio, or a blogger ready to share your views with the world. It's your digital identity, a portal to your audience, and a method to achieve your online goals.

However, in today's wide cyberuniverse, the road to establishing your website is not a one-size-fits-all situation. You have several options: hire a professional web developer, learn the nuances of coding from scratch, or go for the middle ground: use a website builder.

This blog will walk you through the latter option, the realm of website builders. Our purpose is simple: to assist you in picking the best website builder for your specific goals and requirements. We'll look at everything from financial concerns to customization choices, as well as the significance of social media integration and the complexities of content management systems (CMS).

So, whether you're a tech-savvy business owner or a creative spirit with a vision, we've got 10 factors you should consider before choosing a website builder. Let's work together to make sure your digital presence reflects your mission, brand, and goals.

The first factor to consider when selecting a website builder is your budget. Different website builders have different pricing options, so it's critical to select one that fits your budget. Here's a quick comparison of some popular and reasonably priced website builders:

Known for its user-friendly design and extensive template library, Wix provides both free and premium plans. Paid plans begin at approximately $14 per month, but there are lower-cost options if you pay annually or select a different plan. For example, the combo plan costs $13 per month, but only $10.50 per month if paid in advance for a year.

It offers sleek and innovative themes that are suitable for businesses and artists. Pricing starts at around $12 per month if paid annually. If you opt for a monthly payment, the cost is $16 each month. Students and non-profit organizations are also eligible for discounts.

While WordPress is free, you will need to pay for hosting as well as possibly premium themes and plugins. The cost of hosting can vary based on the circumstances. provider and package; however, some of the most affordable ones begin at roughly $1.95 per month. An annual cost of $10 to $15 is typical for domain names. Premium themes and plugins can potentially raise the price, depending on your requirements. 

Shopify is an e-commerce platform with monthly fees starting at $29, making it an attractive choice for online companies. However, there are additional fees involved for credit card transactions and third-party payment processors. You can also save 10% by paying annually or 20% by paying biennially. 

Your budget will be determined by the style and size of your website, so carefully consider the benefits and drawbacks of each option.

Related: Read our blog on the current trends in the e-commerce industry and get tips for fast success!

It is critical to have a clear picture of what you want your website to be before selecting a website builder. Give the following factors thorough consideration:

What audience do you hope to reach with your website? Define your target audience and adjust your content and design to their preferences. 

What is the niche or industry on which your website will focus? Knowing your industry's specifics will assist you in producing relevant and compelling content. Establish a consistent brand identity with a distinct logo, color palette, and typography. 

Consider using tools like mind maps, wireframes, mood boards, and color palettes to help you plan. Having a clear vision will make it easy to select the best website builder and theme.

Website builders provide a selection of themes or templates from which to choose. The theme you choose will have a significant impact on the aesthetic, functionality, and user experience of your website. Each website builder has a varied range of themes, so look through their selections and choose one that fits your idea. However, different website builders offer a varying number of themes. If you'd like to customize or prefer to have a lot to choose from, you should go for the website builder that grants you that freedom. Wix, for one, has over 800 themes, more than most website builders offer. Consider the following while evaluating the themes of a website builder:

Check if the theme is mobile-friendly, as an increasing number of consumers access websites on smartphones and tablets.

Choose between a clean and basic design and one that is more artistic and elaborate.

Consider the tone of your website and select a theme that corresponds to it, whether it's elegant and professional or quirky and playful.

When beginning the process of creating your own website, usability is frequently a deciding factor.

Wix, Squarespace, and Weebly are user-friendly builders that are developed with simplicity in mind. Their user-friendly interfaces and drag-and-drop features allow even individuals with less technical knowledge to design attractive websites.

Platforms such as Webflow, on the other hand, allow for more advanced customization but may have a steeper learning curve.

Understanding the landscape of user-friendly options allows you to select the builder who best matches your skill level and project complexity. 

Visibility is critical in the digital environment, and search engine optimization (SEO) is the key to achieving it. 

Different website builders provide varying degrees of SEO functionality. WordPress, for example, provides users with strong SEO plugins like Yoast SEO, which provide granular control over on-page optimization. Platforms like Shopify, on the other hand, thrive at e-commerce SEO with specialized functionality.

It's extremely important to pick a website builder that optimizes SEO. You'll be more prepared to drive organic traffic and improve the visibility of your website if you comprehend the SEO landscape.

It is critical to have access to reputable materials and support during the website design process. Firstly, you should check to see if the website builder includes extensive lessons and tips to help you get started. And after you become its user, does it offer bug-fixing services or general support? When you run into problems or have questions, an active user community or forum can be extremely helpful. Some website builders have extremely helpful forums and communities, like Magento (now Adobe Commerce). 

It will also be extremely useful for you if you look into the accessibility of customer service from the website builder. Assess the quality and timeliness of customer service via email, chatbots, phone, or live chat.

To avoid any disappointments during the website building process, be sure the website builder you choose provides the degree of support you require.

When it comes to choosing a website builder, you should do your homework and study reviews and evaluations of the firms that offer these services. Here's a closer look at some things to consider:

Examine client feedback and ratings to determine overall satisfaction. Examine consumer feedback for recurring topics. Are people generally satisfied with the service, or do they have reoccurring issues?

Reviews can shed light on a website builder's specific features and functionalities. Does it live up to its claims, and are the tools and powers valuable to users?

It is critical to understand how users perceive the pricing structure. Are customers satisfied with the return on their investment? Are there any additional fees or unstated costs? 

Read reviews to learn about the website builder's dependability and uptime. Downtime can be detrimental to the performance of your website, so be sure the builder has a good track record in this area. 

Think about the website builder's long-term viability. Is it a corporation that has a track record of constant improvement and updates, or does it appear to be stagnant? To establish a balanced appraisal of each website builder's reputation, study numerous review sites and look for similarities in feedback.

Understanding the Content Management System (CMS) options provided by various website builders is critical because the CMS serves as the basis of your website. 

WordPress is a popular and extremely adaptable CMS. It's ideal for content-driven websites like blogs, news sites, and informational sites. It has a large library of plugins and themes, making it extremely configurable. It may, however, necessitate more technical skills to set up and maintain.

Joomla is yet another versatile CMS that maintains a mix between usability and customization. It is appropriate for a wide range of website types, including e-commerce and community-driven sites. For customization, Joomla provides a number of extensions and templates.

Shopifyis primarily intended for e-commerce websites. It has an easy-to-use interface and is suitable for individuals who want to build an online business. While it has limits for non-e-commerce applications, it shines at online selling.

These website builders include their own CMS. They are simple to operate and ideal for beginners. They may, however, be limited in terms of flexibility when compared to WordPress or Joomla.

When selecting a CMS, keep your website's specific requirements in mind. WordPress or Joomla may be the best option if you demand a high level of customization and flexibility. Shopify is a strong rival for e-commerce, while Wix and Squarespace provide simplicity and ease of use.

Customization is critical to customizing the appearance and experience of your website. 

Other than diving into the specifics and offerings of themes that particular website builders offer, you should consider whether the website builder allows you to change design aspects such as fonts, colors, and layout. The flexibility to alter these aspects can assist you in creating a one-of-a-kind and visually appealing website.

Check to see if the website builder enables custom code integration if you have coding expertise or plan to work with a developer. This opens up an infinite number of possibilities for customizing your site to your exact needs.

Look into whether widgets, plugins, or extensions are available. These can improve the functioning of your website and provide more customization choices.

Make sure that the website builder you choose allows you to construct a mobile-responsive design. With an increasing number of consumers visiting websites via mobile devices, this is critical for providing a great user experience.

Finally, the extent of customization you require will be determined by the goals of your website and your design tastes. Some website builders provide greater versatility than others in this aspect, so select one that meets your customization requirements.

Social media integration is a crucial aspect of establishing and maintaining a successful website in today's digital landscape. It offers several benefits, including greater reach, engagement, brand consistency, SEO advantages, and backlinks. Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, and WordPress offer various approaches to social media integration, such as sharing buttons, social feeds, widgets, analytics, strategic placement, material sharing, and engagement. Wix provides social media buttons and widgets that can be integrated into your website, allowing you to share blog posts and other content on social media.

Squarespace interacts with major social networking services, linking accounts and displaying social icons on your site. Shopify allows you to connect your store to social media networks for promotion and sales measurement through social referrals. WordPress offers a variety of social networking plugins that offer a variety of integration options, from social sharing buttons to automatic posting of fresh information on your social accounts. Effective social media integration techniques include the strategic placement of buttons and feeds, creating stimulating content, engaging with followers, and maintaining consistency in posting schedules. By considering how efficiently a website builder supports social media integration, you can realize the benefits of this crucial online marketing tool and improve your online presence.

Selecting the correct website builder is a very important decision in your online journey. Consider your budget, have a clear goal for your website, analyze themes, simplicity of use, and SEO features, and ensure you have access to resources and assistance. Reading reviews and ratings, comprehending CMS possibilities, and weighing customization and social media integration can assist you in making an informed decision.

Remember that your website is an extension of your brand or identity, so put in the time and effort to find the ideal website builder for your purposes. By doing so, you'll be well on your way to developing a visually appealing and productive online presence.

Flat Rock Technology is an experienced international software development company that has delivered hundreds of projects that have gone beyond expectations for different industry leaders. Take a look at our portfolio here. Let us know how we can help by contacting us right away!

Related: Read our latest comparison between Shopify and Magento.