Creating a website now has been easier than ever. If you are creating your first website, a website builder is one of the best platforms you can use. Website builders provide everything you need in one go- a hosting service, storage space, domain name, and website design.
As with any service whether that may be offline or online, there are advantages and disadvantages that you might want to put into consideration. We will be comparing what makes a website builder great and what makes it not suitable for others.
Advantages of website builders
Why choose a website builder compared to other platforms or blog sites out there? Here are some advantages you would want to know:
Perfect for beginners with website making and those who are not techies
Site builders have building blocks and easy to click links that lets you choose options for your website. Looking for the perfect website template? Just go to the website design menu and choose from there. Want to add or edit a webpage? Just go to the page editor.
Website templates created already for you
Unless you want a custom design, site builders offer hundreds of site templates ready for choosing. Choose from the site design catalog and click the website template of your choice. They are also very customizable so you can customize each template whether by font, brand colors, or format.
Very affordable
Compared to other online tools when it comes to website creation, site builders are the most affordable options. If you choose a paid package, you only have to pay around 5-15 dollars per month for the subscription with an option to cancel the plan or renew it.
Option to choose different plans
If you do not have a budget for creating a website for the reasons that you may be a student or you just want to try it out as a hobby, you have an option to choose a free plan instead of a paid one. The free plan allows you to try out the basic features and functions of a website builder without attaching yourself to a contract.
Easy adding and editing of web pages
Earlier, we mentioned that you do not need to learn how to code to create a website. Same goes for adding and editing of web pages. Usually, you will need to learn a little bit of HTML to get web pages up on a website. With website builders, they have a page editor where all you have to do is just put in the text and attach the photos, videos, or files like a Microsoft Word document.
Time efficient
Creating a website on a site builder will not only save you lots of money but it will also save you lots of time. If you are looking to have your website set up within a day, site builders can do that for you. With a simple drag-and-drop function or with a few clicks, you can get a working website in no time!
Get all the tools you need
Instead of getting a website domain at this platform, a website host in another platform, and a website design at another platform, you can get all of them at once on a website builder. Once you sign up, you automatically get a hosting service. You can also buy a custom domain on the dashboard as well as pick a website design from their catalog.
Disadvantages of website builders
Website builders are more suited for beginners, amateurs, and those who aren’t knowledgeable about starting and building websites. It also caters to those who do not know or do not have a full knowledge of coding languages such as HTML, CSS, PHP, etc. This might bring about a number of disadvantages for those who are more used to creating a website using code or has more knowledge on tools and platforms concerning website creation. In that case, here are some disadvantages of using a website builder for creating your website:
Similarities with other websites
Since you are choosing a customizable template from the website builder, there will be other websites who has a similar looking site template as yours. While there are some custom features that might be different, there will certainly be similarities in formats or website structure.
Free website option has limited displays
In any case that you decide to avail the free website plan on the website building platform, those free websites come with limited features. For example, a free website plan has a few limitations such as the following:
- No custom domain name
- Doesn’t come with high-end widgets, addons, or business features
- Limited storage space
- No custom email addresses
- Limited website templates
- Website comes with ads
- No custom applications
Branding
When it comes to branding your website, there will be certain limitations when it comes to the design. If you want a distinct brand for your website, it is best not to choose a website builder and take your time in actually building a unique website through coding or through hiring website experts. However, website branding is not noticeable unless you want a design that is very, very distinct. You can still brand your website using a website builder to a certain extent.
If you feel like the cons outweigh the pros, then in that case there are a few options for you to try:
- You can have your website created with a website developer and your website template with a website designer. These usually cost a few hundred to a thousand dollars to create and maintain.
- You can learn programming or coding to have a full-fledged professional website using various platforms of your choice.
Which website builder to try
There are so many site building platforms out there. Ultimately, when it comes to choosing a website builder, you have to use one that fits all your needs and provides the functionalities you need.
Generally website builders all have some kind of similarities such as the option to buy a domain, pick a template, and have a site host. But you have to check for the following differences:
- Website designs offered
- How big the storage space is
- Addons and widgets you can put on your website
- Ease of use
- Top-tier customer support
Personally, I can recommend the hPage website builder where you can build a professional website fast and easy. It’s one of the best website builders out there with hundreds of templates to choose and with great interface. You can try it out by going to hPage.com!
