In today’s world, it’s almost impossible not to consider establishing a web presence. The internet has become the foundation of nearly everything we do. Whether it’s personal connections, business ventures, or even simple information-seeking, it all relies on the web. Creating a strong online presence is crucial for businesses, as it opens the doors to higher growth potential and a broader customer base. To achieve this, the right website builder services and hosting providers play a vital role in bringing your online vision to life.
However, with countless options out there, it’s essential to understand what you’re looking for. If you’re starting a website and exploring various website builders, here are six key factors you need to be aware of before making your decision and making a purchase.
By being mindful of these aspects, you can make an informed choice and set yourself up for online success. Remember, the right tools can make a significant difference in creating a website that truly stands out and meets your needs. So, let’s embark on this journey together and find the perfect solution to bring your online aspirations to fruition!
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1. Budget and Pricing
Setting a clear budget for your website builder is absolutely crucial to avoid any financial surprises, especially when renewal prices come into play. Let’s take an example like Bluehost Website Builder, which offers a Pro plan at $9.95 per month for a 12-month subscription but renews at $14.99 per month. Similarly, their Online Store plan costs $24.99 per month for the same period but renews at $39.95 per month.
It’s essential to be aware of these renewal prices to avoid unexpected costs down the road. While some providers may offer free website builder services, many of them charge between $5 to $25 per month for plans that include features that most websites or businesses may not necessarily require.
By understanding the renewal costs and assessing your needs, you can make an informed decision that fits your budget and ensures you don’t end up paying more than anticipated for the services you need. Carefully evaluating the pricing and features will allow you to select the most suitable website builder that aligns with your requirements and financial plan. Remember, transparency about costs will pave the way for a smooth and successful website-building journey.
2. User Friendly or Not?
If you lack expertise in web development or coding, selecting a user-friendly website builder becomes essential for creating your online presence effortlessly. One of the simplest methods to build a website is by using a service that offers a drag-and-drop system. This intuitive approach allows you to choose a template and then easily drag and drop all the elements and components you need to customize your site.
Take, for instance, Wix, which boasts over 800 designer-made templates catering to a wide range of websites, from recipe blogs to wedding event sites, and from car mechanic businesses to consultancies. These user-friendly website builders empower individuals with no coding experience to craft polished and appealing websites with ease. So, regardless of your level of expertise, you can confidently create a website that meets your unique needs and aspirations.
3. Customer Service
The top website builders in the market typically provide excellent 24/7 customer support, although the level of assistance may vary among them. Many website builders offer real-time chat support, allowing you to get immediate help from a support representative. Others provide support through phone or email options, and some platforms even offer all three channels for your convenience.
In case you have a question that can be addressed by consulting the company’s FAQ page, having customer support available whenever you need it is crucial. The availability of various support options ensures that you can quickly and easily seek assistance whenever you encounter an issue or have a query, allowing you to progress smoothly with your website-building journey.
Quality customer support is a hallmark of a reliable website builder, and having multiple support channels ensures that you’ll always have a helping hand when you need it. So, when choosing a website builder, be sure to consider their customer support options and the responsiveness of their support team. This way, you can confidently navigate any challenges that arise during the website creation process.
4. Good for Smartphones
In today’s tech-savvy world, where smartphones have evolved into miniature personal computers that we carry everywhere, having a mobile-friendly online presence is absolutely crucial.
Most website builders recognize this importance and offer the option to edit your website on a desktop, tablet, or mobile device, allowing you to see exactly what your customers will experience when they visit your site. Using a mobile site builder that comes with a tool preview feature ensures that your website will always perform at its best across various devices.
Take, for example, Zyro, which adopts a mobile-first approach in its builder. Zyro’s responsive templates automatically adjust to fit the screen size of a phone, tablet, or computer. This ensures that your website not only looks great on a desktop but also remains easily readable and visually appealing on mobile devices.
The last thing you want is a visually impressive website that functions flawlessly on a desktop but becomes barely readable and inconvenient to use on a smartphone. By embracing a mobile-first strategy and employing responsive templates, you can ensure that your website provides a seamless user experience across all devices, capturing the attention and engagement of your visitors, regardless of how they access your site.
5. Domain Name
Every website builder comes with its own unique set of features and offerings. Some builders, like Gator, provide the added benefit of free domain registration for a year. While this can be a valuable perk for those who haven’t purchased a domain yet, it might not be a crucial feature for those who have already acquired a domain through a separate domain registrar.
Nevertheless, it’s essential to emphasize that every website requires a domain name that aligns with its brand or business identity. A domain name is like a digital address for your website, making it easily accessible to users. Therefore, it’s crucial to carefully consider your domain name choice before you finalize a website builder and embark on creating your site.
The right domain name should be catchy, unique, and reflect your brand or business identity. By making this consideration beforehand, you can ensure that your website has a strong online presence and stands out from the crowd.
6. Storage Space
The amount of storage space you require for your website largely depends on the type of site you plan to build. For the average user and regular websites, around 30 gigabytes of storage is usually more than enough. This amount of storage is commonly offered by many top website builder companies.
However, for more complex and advanced websites that require larger storage capacity, many website builders provide unlimited storage options within their higher-tier packages. For instance, Weebly offers 500 megabytes of storage in its free plan, but if you opt for its professional plan, you get unlimited storage space.
The key is to assess your website’s needs and determine the level of storage required based on the content and features you intend to include. While 30 gigabytes is ample for most standard websites, opting for a higher-tier plan with unlimited storage can cater to the demands of more extensive and resource-intensive websites. So, make sure to choose a website builder and plan that aligns with your specific storage requirements to ensure smooth and efficient website management.
