What is a website builder?
A website builder is a system that offers different templates and tools for website creation that requires no coding knowledge. Usually, such a system is represented by a separate all-in-one online service. It means that by using one service you can get a domain, various templates, pages, and images editor, etc. The full list of features would depend on the service.
For example, with the Weblium website builder, you get access to the image library with 100K+ images that are free to use on your website. You can also use the site styles manager to make any creative adjustments you want. It is also possible to easily add in-built integrations that will help to optimize your company’s marketing and sales processes. Here are some of the integrations available:
- Mailchimp;
- Facebook Pixel;
- amoCRM;
- Google Tag Manager;
This is not the full list of the integrations available, so make sure you checked them all on Weblium Marketplace.
What is the difference between a website built using templates and one made with coding?
In fact, there is no difference 🙂 Both websites made with website builders and the ones made with coding have multiple design options. The thing is that with website builders you don’t need to know how to code, and no need to hire a professional team of programmers and designers. Many companies will actually use a website builder when you hire them to build the site, like Direct Allied Agency, a Tulsa web design firm in the United States. Thus, an average user won’t be able to differentiate a website built using templates from one developed with coding. Read below to discover more information about the pros and cons of website builders’ usage.
Pros of website builders
Simplicity of usage
The main advantage of website builders is the simplicity of their usage and no need for coding knowledge. You can create a template website in 30 minutes. To do so, simply prepare texts, selects one of the templates available, and make adjustments that will highlight the uniqueness of your brand (e.g. add your logo and corporate color scheme). And don’t forget to add SEO attributes before publishing your website. Thus, your website will be indexed by Google.
Ready-made templates for websites
All website builders contain a pack of templates for different business niches. Here are some categories of templates available for Weblium users:
- car rental;
- fashion photographer;
- online stores;
- portfolio;
Website builders also usually provide various video manuals on how to create a template website, as well as guides that help their users to deal with the new functionality. It is also possible to change the color scheme and customize the website this way.
Autonomy from programmers and designers
As we have already said before, there is no need for coding knowledge when you use website builders. That’s how you can save on involving such specialists as programmers and designers. But if you have the coding knowledge you can use it to customize the design or add unique features. As lots of systems allow adding custom code to the page or even edit the existing one.
Price
All website builders have paid options. In this case, pricing plans show the variety of available features. Thus, it is possible to select the pricing plan that covers all the needs of your company. If you are doubting or testing several systems, there is always a trial that allows you to start using the builder for free but for a limited period (for example, for two weeks).
The price is different for each website builder. However, it will be definitely cheaper than hiring a programmer and designer to create a new website from scratch.
Cons of website builders
Limited opportunities at Free pricing plans
Some of the website builders offer Free pricing plans. However, you are not able to use all the features with the free version which is a disadvantage. The solution here depends on your needs. Free options may be enough for your business. In case if you need deeper solutions, you can try Pro versions. Anyway, even the paid pricing plan will cost you less than website creation on your own.
The transfer of the website is complicated
Exporting and transferring your website to another CMS is not an easy process. You would have to launch lots of elements, as well as copy and paste or even manually upload all the content, including a visual one. In other words, it is possible to transfer the website to another CMS, but it would mean the actual website creation almost from nothing. Notice that this process would also require some coding knowledge.
How to choose a template for your website?
Here are three basic rules to choose a template for your future website.
- Find your business niche.
- Select the type of website you would like to create: a portfolio, an online store, a business card, etc.
- Go to the website builder you prefer and select the required template there.