A company’s website is one of the most crucial touchpoints that influence buying decisions for many users. Company websites are no longer static pages containing sterile business info that we used to know. These website platforms are living documents - undergoing their own type of design evolution to suit the changing needs of their target audience.
When it comes to creating websites, companies must now consider the digital experience. Also, smaller brands and startups can compete with the big players in terms of audience share if they use the best website platform and plan their website design strategically. You're wondering why you should learn these concepts and whether you need them, particularly if you're building your website. In this post, you'll learn what website platforms are, how to choose a web host, and the words associated with them. Finally, hopefully, it has assisted you in determining which website platforms you need for your website.
Defining Website Platforms
Website platforms (Website Builder/s) are the foundations upon which websites are designed. Most websites run on various platforms, including:
- A website for web hosting
- Languages for programming
- Tools for creating websites
Both of these work together to fuel your website, ensuring that visitors have the best online experience possible. Professional and small businesses may use website builders to create a website without having to hire a programmer. Unfortunately, if it's your first to create a website, it can be daunting and frustrating. Many website builders are available in the market. How do you know which one is the right solution for you?
What Should I Look For in a Website Builder?
We suggest that you write down what you want to do with your website before choosing the best website builder for you. What are your objectives and functionality that you would like to see on your website? Features like having an online store (eCommerce), SEO features, blogging section, photo gallery, custom forms, contact type, integration of social media, and so on can be written down. If you're not sure what you want, look at your rivals' websites or other websites for ideas.
When you create your new website, the best website builder for small businesses has a simple drag-and-drop user interface. You can test-drive the service using the trial accounts (free plans) or the generous money-back guarantee before making the decision. When evaluating the best website builder software for each utilization, we consider multiple factors, but the following are the top five:
1. Ownership and Usability of Data
Newbies sometimes overlook this, but as experts of the industry, pay special attention to terms and conditions to ensure that you own your content, and it is versatile if you choose to turn.
2. User-Friendliness
The easiest website builder is always the one that even first-time users (non-techy users) can effortlessly use the website builder. A drag-and-drop builder, versatile editing tools, and customization options must all be included.
3. Costing
Since this is a competitive market, we search for website platforms that provide the best value for the money. We look for things like a free domain, free SSL, free business email, and free eCommerce features, among other things.
4. Features & Design
Website platforms should make sure that the website designer has an extensive selection of impressive website templates, as well as the ability to incorporate additional functionality like Google Analytics and third-party marketing software.
5. Customer Service
While we build a website, it is expected to have an intuitive, easy-to-use interface. We also want to ensure that customer service is available 24/7.
6. Accounts for Email
Lastly, when you choose from the website platforms, you'll want an email address that includes your domain name rather than mybusiness@gmail.com.
What Type of Website Can I Make?
The benefit of these website platforms is they provide templates for various industries. You can choose the one you like, and then customize it with your own text and pictures. You don't have to start from scratch, which makes achieving impressive results in a short amount of time a breeze.
Small companies, freelancers, photographers, online retailers, restaurants, and working professionals, as well as clubs and organizations, can all benefit from website builders. Sites that need a database, however (real estate listings, work boards) are more difficult to construct. They necessitate a different tool as well as more time.
Hypercomplex sites like Amazon and Facebook, however, are totally out of control. For website building of those kinds, need the professional help of a Web Development Team.
Your Options When It Comes to Website Platforms
Gone are the times when we had to know programming to create a website. For the smallest websites, it's only simpler and quicker for me to use a website builder these days because of the internet. Let's take a closer look at simple to use website platforms available for beginners:
1. Wix
Wix is a well-known cloud-based website builder software. It combines ease of use with a diverse collection of features to help you create a website quickly. Wix has also created Wix ADI, an artificial design intelligence that can conveniently create a website.
Wix has a free plan with restricted storage and bandwidth. This strategy, however, can be used to try out their drag-and-drop website builder. Since it does not include a domain name, you will want to move to a premium plan if you want to retain your website.
This image is taken from Wix Website
Advantages of Wix:
- Hundreds of templates to choose from
- With their easy-to-use drag-and-drop site creator, the design can be fully customized.
- You will install hundreds of free and paid applications on your website.
- Provides their own set of business tools (includes CRM, email marketing, automation, invoice generator, and video maker).
- The online shop, a great choice for small businesses, is constantly being improved.
2. WordPress
WordPress is a website builder that is both free and open source. This means that, whereas to any other online website developer on this list, you have complete control over your website. It's extremely strong, adaptable, and versatile. It can be used to create any type of website, from eCommerce to real estate to a complete news website.
This image is taken from WordPress Website
Advantages of WordPress:
- Gives you full control over your website's appearance and functionality.
- Thousands of high-quality pre-made WordPress themes are available.
- Get full access to over 58,000 plugins
- Translated into hundreds of languages and can be used to build multilingual websites with ease.
- Support is excellent, prompt, and even extends to third-party plugins you can install on your web.
3. Gator by HostGator
Gator is a popular web builder from HostGator, one of the world's biggest web hosting companies. The Gator platform is a one-stop-shop website builder and hosting platform, that makes it ideal for small businesses. Gator also includes a built-in stock picture library, allowing you to find and use stunning web pages.
This image is taken from Gator Website
Advantages of Gator:
- The network is completely hosted
- You can choose from more than 200 impressive website design templates.
- With a simple point-and-click interface, you can edit any item on a list.
- A built-in stock picture gallery is available to you.
- A free custom domain name for your website is included with all paid plans.
4. Weebly
Weebly is a professional website builder that caters to the convenience of use in their website editor, still unrivaled, making it the easiest website builder available. Their content management system is also designed to serve massive websites, as we've seen Weebly sites with well over 150 pages. The best part is their paid plans don't have any storage or bandwidth restrictions.
This image is taken from Weebly Website
Advantages of Weebly:
- The themes are not only attractive but also functional.
- They have an innovative page template system that allows you to further customize it to meet your needs.
- Weebly and third-party developers have created various extra features.
- Every plan includes eCommerce.
- A site search feature, as well as video and audio players, are included in the Professional package, which costs $12 per month.
5. Strikingly
Strikingly is a professional website builder that specializes in one-page templates. This is particularly useful if you need to build a landing page, like for event registrations. Their responsive designs are eye-catching and work well on mobile phones and tablets.
This image is taken from Strikingly’s Website
Advantages of Strikingly:
- Strikingly's website editor is simple and intuitive to use.
This image is taken from Strikingly’s Product
- Strikingly is the perfect platform for developers with little or no programming experience who want to build mobile-friendly websites in minutes.
This image is taken from Strikingly’s Product
- Strikingly takes a mobile-first approach, enabling users to build websites that work well on desktops, laptops, and smartphones.
This image is taken from Strikingly User’s Website
- Never run out of ideas! With Strikingly’s stunning website building templates.
This image is taken from Strikingly’s Website
- Strikingly offers a free account as well as reasonable pricing. Other website builders can look less expensive, but their pricing is only for one website. For example, the pro-yearly plan from Strikingly is $192 a year, but it includes three websites (meaning you can create three separate websites), while other website platforms only allow you to create one.
This image is taken from Strikingly’s Website
- Take advantage of dependable customer service. Strikingly provides real-time chat and fast email answers 24/7 (as fast as 15 minutes).
This image is taken from Strikingly’s Website
- Strikingly, as one of the best website builders for small companies, trusts their customers as much as their company values them. Therefore, we make it a point to add substantial new features and hot topics on a weekly basis.
This image is taken from Strikingly’s Website
Choose the Right Website Platform
It's critical to choose the right website platforms because they're what fuel your site. Anything from your web host's operating system to the programming languages you use to the website construction tools you use will affect whether your site works properly and efficiently — or not at all. Your site will not function properly if you select a web hosting service that does not meet all your requirements. You don't want your website to be down or sluggish, do you? If you select a host solely on the basis of price, you will end up compromising the quality of your hosting service as your site grows in popularity.
When it comes to selecting the best website builder for your business, you should always consider what features you need and which you find the most user-friendly. If you ask me, I'd go with the website builder that provides the most flexibility and has fantastic customer service that can walk you through the entire process. Good thing that Strikingly is up for that challenge! Start success now with, Strikingly!
