As an owner of a small business, it is understandable if you do not have the resources to hire a web development company.
Luckily, there are intuitive and easy-to-use small business website builders available in the market today. These platforms do not require knowledge in programming and web development, allowing you to build your business website on your own.
But with a handful of website builders available, which one should you choose? Here are some tips to help you find the right platform that will suit your needs:
Determine Your Budget
The first thing you need to determine when looking for a suitable website builder is your budget.
Although we have mentioned that not having the resources to hire a web developer is understandable, the cost of a website builder is more affordable compared to tapping a service provider.
Not to mention that you can pick a website builder, domain name, and hosting based on a budget that you can allot annually. Just keep the price-to-value ratio in mind.
If your website builder has a basic plan that has everything you need, and it is something that you can afford, then go for it. Simply put, there is no need to pay for premium features that you are less likely to use.
Nonetheless, do not go for the cheapest ones as this can compromise the quality of service that you should receive. Opt for the best that you can afford instead.
Consider Ease of Use
Of course, since you do not necessarily have the technical knowledge to build a website, it is important that your platform is easy to use.
You should look for website builders that have web design templates that resonate with the industry you are in. And as much as possible, they should boast a drag-and-drop functionality. Adding text and image on your web pages should be as easy as writing a Word document.
Keep in mind that a user-friendly website builder should make web development a breeze. If you find your platform overwhelming, then there is a big chance that it is not compatible with your skill level.
If you are looking for a website builder with a low learning curve, we recommend checking Squarespace and Weebly out.
Checkout Their Features
According to freelance web designer Paula Borowska, a website builder with a lot of features means easy and extensive customization options.
If you work with multiple clients or with a large team, you might want to give Duda a spin. That’s because this platform boast tools that are designed for collaboration like team dashboard, asset sharing, comment threads, and more.
However, if you are just building your website on your own, then WordPress could be a suitable website builder. It has thousands of plugins that you can install in order to add functionality to your website.
Look for Beautiful Themes
If you do not have a background in web development, it is also possible that you do not design savvy. Good thing, website builders come with design templates that can help make your website beautiful without exerting too much effort.
However, you should pick the one that is suitable for the nature of your business. If you look at the templates that your website builder can provide, you will notice that a restaurant theme is different from a fashion theme.
Other than that, you should see to it that your preferred design template allows further customization since it is possible that the theme’s color scheme is not in line with your business’s overall branding.
As freelance content writer Kristen Hicks puts it, you would not want to invest in a template that offers very limited customization options.
Look for SEO Features
Here’s the thing: There is no sense having a beautiful website if people will not be able to see it.
This is where Search Engine Optimization (SEO) comes in handy. That said, it is important to look for a website builder that will make it easy for you to implement SEO best practices.
It can be something as simple as letting you update your website’s Meta elements with ease. Or it could be letting you integrate Google Analytics and Search Console with just a click of a button.
You should also look for a website builder that can provide sitemap and robots.txt functionalities, as these are crucial parts of optimizing your website for search engines.
SSL/HTTPS Encryption
Another important factor you should look into when choosing a website builder is whether or not they provide SSL Encryption. Doing so means that your website can have that green lock symbol and HTTPS protocol at the beginning of your URL.
But why is it important?
According to Kayce Basques of Chrome DevTools, HTTPS protects your website’s integrity. As a result, you can keep cyberattacks at bay while protecting your site visitor’s personal information.
In case you are unaware, hackers can exploit any vulnerabilities they will see on your website, which could lead to identity theft and data breach.
Hence, an SSL/HTTPS encryption also protects your business’s credibility.
Consider the Compatibility
When setting up an online presence for your business, it is important that you can integrate the majority (if not all) of the platforms you use. That way, you can see how your digital marketing channels are performing in one place.
Website builders like WordPress, Squarespace, and Weebly allow you to connect with third-party platforms like Hootsuite and Coschedule.
Check Out Customer Support
Since you are not necessarily tech and design-savvy, you should check out whether your preferred website builders have quality customer support.
These people are the ones who can find answers to your questions, as well as help you solve an issue in case you encounter it while working on your business website.
However, customer service support varies depending on your pricing plan. So, before you pick a website builder, check what kind of customer support they provide based on the plan that you can afford.
Which Website Builder is Best for You?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to creating a business website. It all depends on your capabilities, budget, and specific needs.
Nonetheless, our list of tips should make it easy for you to pick the website builder that will suit your needs.
What is your preferred website builder, and why? Let us know in the comments!
Related Posts
- How to Get a Website Name – While everyone is talking about how to build a website, do you just want to…
- Choosing The Right Payment Processing System For Your Business: 7 Essential Tips From Experts – Running a business of your own requires you to constantly look after multiple fronts. This…
- 4 Ways to Update Your Business Website – Your business website is the shop window for your business. Whether you are a bricks…
- Business Tips: How Cleanliness Helps Your Business – Managing a business requires a set of skills that you may or may not have…
