A Beginner’s guide to choosing a Website Builder

In a world where everyone needs an online presence, website builders have become the go-to tools for creating websites without needing coding skills. They’re designed to simplify website creation, offering templates, drag-and-drop features, and many customization options. But with so many choices—each with its strengths and specialties—how do you choose the one that’s right for you? 

Whether you’re building a blog, an online portfolio, or an entire eCommerce store, selecting the right website builder can make all the difference. Here, we’ll walk you through what to consider when evaluating options so that you can pick a builder that aligns with your unique goals, skills, and budget. 

What is a website builder?  

A website builder is an intuitive tool that lets you create a fully functional website without needing any coding skills. In the early days of the internet, building your own website meant coding from scratch, using text editors, and mastering complex programming languages. Today, website builders make it easy to create professional, interactive websites that once required advanced skills. 

Most modern website builders use AI-powered tools to guide you through the design process. These AI features can suggest layouts, organize content, and streamline design choices based on your goals. Combined with drag-and-drop editors, it’s like piecing together a digital puzzle—you point, click, and arrange elements as you like. 

Why choosing the best website builder matters  

Choosing the right website builder for you matters because your business’ success may depend on your website’s outcome.  

If you’re just starting, a simple, budget-friendly builder with basic features might be all you need to get started and grow your business. These builders typically offer essential tools like easy-to-navigate pages, basic themes, and simple online store options—perfect for businesses on a tight budget or those just entering the market. 

However, a basic drag-and-drop builder may not cut it if you’re looking to scale and need more advanced functionality. Growing websites need more resources to handle increased traffic and complexity. Builders with advanced features can provide scalability and customization but often come with a higher price tag. 

Ultimately, the right builder depends on where your business is now and where you plan to take it. Choose a platform that supports your current needs while allowing for future growth. 

Understanding your website needs  

Knowing your website’s purpose is essential to identify which features you need from a website builder. Different goals call for different functionalities: if you’re launching a blog, you’ll want a robust comment section; for an online store, you’ll need integrated eCommerce tools. A portfolio might only require simple linking options, while large business sites often demand more customization and scalability. 

Below is a list to help you understand what you need from a website builder and ultimately help you decide the one that’s best for you.  

Define your website’s purpose  

Start by thinking about the main goal of your site. Are you planning to write blog posts, sell products, or simply showcase your projects? The purpose drives everything from the design to the necessary features. Understanding who your visitors are and what they expect will help guide your choices. 

Identify your technical skills  

Your comfort with web design and coding will influence the type of website builder that’s right for you. Some builders are designed for beginners, with intuitive drag-and-drop editors and minimal coding required, while others offer advanced customization for experienced users. 

• For beginners. Look for builders with a simple interface, drag-and-drop features, and AI-assisted design tools that can help create your website layout and content. 

• For users with coding skills. Opt for a builder that allows custom HTML, CSS, and JavaScript so you can adjust your site to suit your unique needs and preferences. 

If you’re looking for a more tailored experience or need specific features that DIY builders can’t offer, working with a website developer for a custom-built site could be a better option. This allows you to get a highly personalized website with all the advanced functionality you need, while leaving the technical work to the experts. 

Determine your budget 

Website builders offer various pricing options, from free plans to premium subscriptions. Your budget will influence both initial setup costs and ongoing expenses for features, hosting, and support. 

• Compare pricing plans. Check if there are setup fees, monthly charges, and renewal rates. Some plans offer affordable introductory rates but increase significantly after the first term, so be sure to factor in long-term costs. 

• Look for value. Some providers, like Domain.com, include a free website builder and a custom domain with the purchase of a hosting plan, which can be a cost-effective way to get started. 

Key factors to consider when choosing a website builder  

After assessing key factors on your side, let’s determine the ones you need to evaluate on the website builder’s end. There’s a wide range of key features site builder providers offer, and it depends on the package or the provider itself. 

Ease of use 

A website builder that’s easy to use allows you to efficiently create and manage your website, saving you time and reducing frustration. Check for an intuitive interface that makes navigation and site-building straightforward. Easy-to-use website builders are ones that you understand from just a few minutes of tinkering. 

Responsive and mobile-friendly design 

A significant portion of web traffic comes from mobile devices. Making sure your website is mobile-friendly enhances user experience and improves SEO rankings, which brings in more traffic. For added convenience, check if a site builder provider offers responsive templates. Responsive templates are pre-made designs that automatically adjust to various screen sizes and devices. Also, the best website builders allow you to create and preview your website on both desktop and mobile viewing.  

Pricing 

Understanding the pricing model helps you manage your budget effectively and avoid unexpected costs. Evaluating initial and ongoing expenses is crucial to ensure the platform offers good value for money. 

Customer support 

Reliable customer support is essential, especially if you encounter technical issues or need assistance building and maintaining your website. Look for a provider with 24/7 customer support through chat, phone, or email. 

SEO capabilities 

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is essential for increasing your website’s visibility on search engines, driving organic traffic, and enhancing your brand presence. A great website builder has SEO tools to customize meta titles, descriptions, headers, and URLs of your posts and pages. It must also automatically generate sitemaps to help search engines crawl your site effectively. Crawling allows your site to be visible on search engine results pages. 

eCommerce capabilities 

If you’re planning to sell online, robust eCommerce tools are a must. Look for website builders that allow you to conveniently add, organize, and manage products, including tracking your inventory.  

It’s also important to have flexible payment options. Ensure the builder supports multiple payment options like credit cards, PayPal, and digital wallets, so you can offer customers a smooth, secure checkout experience. And don’t overlook security—features like SSL certificates help keep transactions secure. These features will help streamline your online store and enhance the shopping experience for your customers. 

Performance and speed optimization 

A fast-loading website improves user experience, reduces bounce rates, and positively impacts SEO rankings, all of which are crucial for business growth. The underlying web hosting infrastructure affects your website’s speed, uptime, and overall performance, which is critical for user experience and search engine rankings. You also need to consider web hosting services when looking for the best website builders for your business. 

Look for a provider that utilizes cloud technology on their hosting. Cloud-based hosting is more reliable when it comes to performance than typical hosting services in a shared environment.  

Common mistakes to avoid when choosing a website builder 

To ensure your website thrives, it’s important to steer clear of common mistakes that can undermine your efforts. By being mindful of these pitfalls, you can make a more informed and effective decision. 

Choosing based solely on price 

While keeping costs low is important, selecting a website builder just because it’s the cheapest option can lead to problems down the road. The lowest price might mean fewer features, limited design options, or poor customer support. Instead of focusing only on what you pay upfront, consider the overall value each platform offers. Look for a balance between affordability and the features you need to create a website that truly represents your vision. 

Ignoring future needs 

Your website is likely to grow and change over time, so it’s crucial to choose a builder that can support your future needs. If you start with a platform that doesn’t allow for easy expansion, you might find yourself facing limitations as your site evolves. Whether you plan to add more content, introduce new features, or attract more visitors, selecting a flexible website builder will help your website grow smoothly without requiring a complete overhaul. 

Neglecting to test the builder 

Before committing to a platform, take it for a test run. Most website builders offer free trials or demos that let you explore the features and see how user-friendly they are. Testing the builder will give you a sense of how it works in practice and whether it meets your expectations. This step is crucial in making sure you’re confident in your choice before you fully commit. 

Simplify website building with an AI website builder  

Choosing the right website builder is all about finding the one that fits your unique needs. Start by understanding what you want your website to achieve, whether it’s an online store, a blog, or a portfolio. From there, evaluate different builders based on key factors like ease of use, pricing, scalability, and customer support. 

For a quicker and easier website-building experience, Domain.com’s AI-powered website builder can help you create a site that meets your goals with minimal effort. The tool adapts to your needs, letting you focus on content and design, without the need for technical expertise. 

Frequently asked questions