Introduction
Back in the day, web development was so expensive that only big brands and corporations had websites. Besides the cost of building a website, there was a need to hire expert web developers to write the code and design each website page. But, as more web development tools were created, building a website became accessible to small and medium-sized businesses.
Now, thanks to easy-to-use website builders, anyone can build a website without needing any technical expertise or spending a fortune. Given that all the necessary tools are readily available on website builders, they’ve grown really popular for website and web app development.
What is a Website Builder?
A website builder is a user-friendly tool or platform that allows you to create websites without any technical expertise. Think of it like a technical assistant that simply acts on your instructions to do the heavy lifting in building your website. Instead of manual coding, website builders come with a simple interface with drag-and-drop features, pre-designed website templates, and various tools for customization.
When working with a website builder, your main responsibility is to work with its easy-to-use customization elements. You’ll mostly work on choosing your preferred color, the style and positioning of a button, text, or boxes, and your background. You could simply pick a pre-designed template that looks appealing, and then customize the images, texts, and other features to your taste. Think of it like arranging your room with all its furniture to your taste. But in reality, all the stuff you’re doing is being handled behind the scenes with the website builder moving stuff as you direct.
Why Website Builders Are the Future
Thanks to their ease of use and amazing features, website builders are quickly taking over. In fact, WordPress, which is one of the top website builders, powers over 40% of websites on the internet. Statistically, websites built with website builders take 80% less time than traditional coding. Here are five reasons why website builders are the future of web development:
Lower cost
Hiring a web developer costs a lot, and is only accessible to well-established brands. But, easy-to-use website builders have leveled the playing field since they’re cheaper and open to all. Apart from having affordable plans, most website builders also offer free customizable templates for users to test first before committing long-term. Imagine saving money while still having a professional website.
No Technical Skills Needed
Most website builders are easy to use. All you need is a bit of imagination, then drag and drop building features as you want. Some are even powered by AI, which means all you need to do is give a clear prompt.
Time-saving
Traditionally, building websites takes months. But a website builder cuts that down to a few hours. With the added AI assistant, it could be done, launched, and updated in way less time.
Built-in management features
Most website builders come with management tools for SEO, e-commerce integration, and web analytics. You have everything in one place, and they’re always simple to use.
Mobile-friendly designs
Traditional websites often need to be manually set up to fit mobile screens. But most website builders come with automatic resizing of websites to fit mobile screens without losing any functions. You don’t need extra adjustments.
Top 5 Website Builders for Beginners
There are lots of website builders out there, and you've most likely visited websites built with them before. Typically, you’d see a subtle label at the bottom of each page saying “built with ABC”. Platforms like Wix, Shopify, and even WordPress are popular options. These website builders are known for their drag-and-drop feature and massive library of website templates, both free and paid. What’s more is that these templates are even categorized based on niche. So, if you’re trying to build an online store, you’ll see the relevant templates instead of just surfing endlessly. Here's a breakdown of some of the top website builders across different categories:
Wix
Wix is often praised for being user-friendly thanks to its intuitive drag-and-drop editor. It’s one of the simplest website builders and comes with a large library of templates you can choose from. Unlike some other niche-specific website builders, Wix is an all-in-one solution that’s capable of building different types of sites from personal blogs and portfolios to landing pages and small business sites. Wix can also be used to create e-commerce websites. Thanks to its AI assistant, Wix makes it a lot easier to build and launch websites.
Squarespace
Squarespace is popular for its sleek, minimalist outlook. It’s the go-to website builder for most creatives and businesses that prioritize aesthetics. What makes Squarespace stand out is its intuitive website-building process and features, especially the SEO and website analytics tools. If you’re looking for a simple, classy, and functional website builder, Squarespace is the ideal choice.
Shopify
This is one of Cybernews’ top 3 best website builders for online stores. It’s the go-to website builder for building an e-commerce store. It comes with a comprehensive suite of tools for managing inventory, shipping, and marketing. Thanks to its being highly scalable, Shopify is often the go-to choice for beginners and well-established brands. If you’re looking to start selling online, open a Shopify store - it’s easy to set up.
Hostinger Website Builder
Hostinger stands out as one of the most affordable web hosting and website-building platforms. It’s designed for ease of use for both beginners and experienced users. It also comes with fully functional templates for setting up an e-commerce store. Besides having a user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, it also has an AI assistant that can create a website quickly with a simple prompt, thus reducing the amount of work you have to do. Overall, Hostinger is a great option for newbies, especially those looking for a budget-friendly option.
WordPress (with WooCommerce)
Technically, WordPress is best described as a content management system. But when it’s combined with WooCommerce’s plugin, it becomes a powerful e-commerce website builder with more advanced features than others. WordPress is arguably the first generation of website builders, and holds the record of powering over 40% of websites on the internet. Thanks to its vast ecosystem, WordPress packs a lot more templates and plugins that are helpful for customizing websites. But then, it needs more technical expertise and management than other website builders. If you’re keen on customization and fuller control of your website, then WordPress is your best bet.
Conclusion
As more and more brands keep popping up, the demand for fast web development solutions will remain constant. This is why there’s no stopping website builders from taking over and shaping the future of web development.
Quality Assurance and Software Testing Insights
In the rapidly evolving field of software development, Quality Assurance (QA) plays a pivotal role in ensuring product reliability and user satisfaction. At Mobile Reality, we delve deep into the nuances of QA, offering you a wealth of knowledge through our comprehensive articles. Explore our detailed articles that cover various aspects of software testing and quality assurance in mobile and web development:
- How to Write a Good Documentation for Open-Source?
- The Importance of Code Quality in Software Development
- Software QA in Real Estate and Financial Applications
These resources are crafted to enhance your understanding of QA methodologies and best practices. If you want to improve your QA processes or need expert consultation, don't hesitate to contact our sales team. For those looking to join a dynamic team dedicated to excellence in software quality, check out our career opportunities on our careers page. Join us in our pursuit of top-tier software quality and innovation!
