Are you excited about creating your own website but lack the technical expertise? Don’t worry; you’re not alone! Building a stunning and fully functional website for your business has become incredibly accessible, thanks to website builders.
In this article, we’ll delve into the crucial features that every website builder should provide. Whether you’re in Singapore or anywhere else globally, we’ve got you covered.
Understanding Website Builders:
Website builders simplify the entire process of creating and managing your website. Some advanced ones even offer custom domain names, web hosting, free SSL certificates, and unlimited storage.
While some website builders cater to beginners, others, like Visual Composer, are designed for experienced web developers. As long as you understand your requirements, you can find the right website builder for your small business site.
The Benefits of Using Website Builders:
Website builders make website creation exceptionally straightforward, offering several key advantages:
- No coding expertise required.
- Ready-made templates and intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces.
- Eliminates the need for hiring a web designer.
- Swift and easy setup and maintenance.
- Ensures your website looks great on mobile devices.
- Convenient online editing from any device.
- Time and cost savings.
Now that you appreciate the convenience of website builders, let’s explore the essential features you should seek in one.
1. User-Friendly Interface
Studies show that 25% of individuals admit to being newcomers in website design, with only 22% considering themselves “pro website builders” versed in HTML, CSS, and other technical aspects. If you find yourself in the newbie or non-techie category, a DIY website builder is likely your best choice.
These tools are known for their simplicity, easy learning curve, and user-friendly interface (UI/UX). If you can click, drag-and-drop, and upload images, you already possess the skills needed to craft your website.
Moreover, a good website builder should offer user-friendly features, including guides, tutorials, and support documents to assist you throughout the website creation process.
Alternatively, you can keep website costs low forever with a website builder and pay $0 for do-it-yourself design.
2. Drag-and-Drop Editor
A drag-and-drop editor empowers you to arrange your page exactly as you envision it and make adjustments with ease. Its user-friendliness allows you to confidently hand over the completed website to your clients. You can experiment with various layouts until you discover the one that ensures an exceptional user experience.
3. Diverse Range of Themes
To avoid having a website that mirrors someone else’s, it’s crucial to choose a website builder offering a diverse selection of captivating templates or themes. A wide variety of themes reduces the risk of your website looking identical to another. By adjusting colors, layouts, and features, you can imbue your site with a unique personality that aligns with your business.
Additionally, some themes cater to specific industries, enhancing their relevance. For instance, if you operate a photography business, you’d likely prefer a template featuring a photo slideshow on the homepage to showcase your best work.
However, don’t disregard a website builder solely based on its theme count. Even with a limited selection, each theme can often be extensively customized, allowing for distinct appearances, even if they share a core template.
4. Pre-Formatted Web Page Layouts
While your website design template sets the foundation by offering essential design elements such as layout, colors, and font styles, you may still want to add additional pages without the hassle of starting from scratch. This is where pre-designed and pre-filled page layouts prove invaluable.
In essence, pre-filled page layouts come with predefined sections for images, text, and other elements typically found on specific page types. Your task is to select one that suits your needs and replace the sample content with your own. This simplifies the process of creating new pages.
5. Mobile-Friendly Design
In 2018, Statista’s research disclosed that mobile phones contributed to 52.2 percent of global website traffic. This trend continued to rise, with Statcounter reporting that global mobile usage reached 51.11% in July 2019, surpassing desktop (45.18%) and tablet (3.71%) usage.
Acknowledging this shift, Google recognized mobile responsiveness as a pivotal ranking factor in search results as early as 2015.
Today, people utilize various devices of diverse shapes and sizes, encompassing phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. Consequently, ensuring your website’s mobile responsiveness is paramount. This entails automatic adaptation to suit any screen, catering to visitors’ device preferences. By prioritizing mobile responsiveness, you also future-proof your website.
6. Cross-Browser Compatibility
Internet browsers like Google Chrome, Safari, Opera, and Firefox serve as the gateway to websites on the Internet. However, it’s vital to understand that visitors employ various browsers to access your site, and website technologies may not uniformly function across all of them. For example, your website might display flawlessly on Google Chrome but encounter discrepancies on Safari.
To ensure a seamless user experience for all visitors, selecting a website builder compatible with major browsers is imperative. Verification can be achieved by reaching out to the website builder’s support team or consulting online reviews and resources to confirm its harmonious compatibility with various browsers.
7. Integrated SEO Tools
A recent report highlighted that a remarkable 83% of customers turn to search engines when seeking businesses online. According to SEO Moz, securing a first-page position in search results can substantially elevate website traffic by 42.25%.
Clearly, achieving a prominent presence on the first page of search results is advantageous. To increase the likelihood of this outcome, website builders equipped with robust SEO tools prove invaluable. These tools encompass features such as title tags, keyword assistance, meta descriptions, and sitemap generators, enabling you to enhance your website’s ranking effectively.
8. Google Analytics Integration
Incorporating website analytics into your business strategy is pivotal for growth and refinement. Among the top choices for tracking and analyzing website data stands Google Analytics.
Google Analytics empowers you to monitor daily website traffic, delve into user engagement patterns, scrutinize browsing and purchasing behaviors, and more. It also offers valuable insights into your most visited web pages and identifies areas that may require enhancements.
Therefore, it’s a prudent choice to select a website builder seamlessly integrated with Google Analytics.
9. Built-In Project Manager
Enhance your productivity with the integrated ticket system and to-do manager, streamlining project management and design tasks.
10. Effortless Collaboration
This feature ensures each client gains access to a dedicated portal, facilitating tasks like completing pre-design surveys, uploading data, and providing feedback via the on-page feedback tool.
In Conclusion
Armed with knowledge about essential website builder features, you’re prepared to embark on your online journey. Remember, a reliable website builder is your invaluable partner in crafting an attractive, user-friendly website, regardless of your location, whether it’s Singapore or elsewhere.
With these tools at your disposal, you can confidently establish your online presence and leave a mark in the digital realm. These indispensable features serve as the foundation of your success; launching your online venture without them is inconceivable.
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