What is a Website Builder?
If you’re a small business owner, a freelancer, or a blogger who needs a strong digital presence, say hello to website builders.
Traditionally, building a website required either knowledge of coding and UI/UX design, or hiring someone who did. However, there were two problems with these options: learning how to code took up valuable time that non-experts didn’t have, and, more often than not, website owners couldn’t afford the services of external designers and developers.
But with an affordable drag-and-drop website builder, you can now create a professional website yourself that’s in perfect alignment with your branding and business goals.
In this blog, we’ll talk about what website builders are, how they work, their benefits and drawbacks, and what factors you should consider when choosing one for building a website.
Table of Contents
Understanding Website Builders
Definition and Overview
A website builder is a platform or software that allows people with limited budgets and lack of technical know-how to quickly and easily create a website from scratch, using website templates and drag-and-drop editors. With such tools, you don’t need any coding knowledge to build websites. All you need is a clear vision of what you want your website to look like and what objectives you want it to achieve.
Most website builders offer multiple themes, templates, features, integrations, and customizable capabilities to make each website unique. Paid plans also offer other premium features such as custom domain names.
For example, take a look at HOSTAFRICA’s website builder.
You can choose the category your business falls under and then select a template that resonates with you. For this example, we selected the template ‘Healthy Skin’ from the e-commerce category. Take a look at the website builder page that opens up and the customizable options available:
How Website Builders Work
With website builders like HOSTAFRICA, you can easily move elements of the website around; change colors, fonts, and images; and add or remove blocks.
The best part about using a site builder is that you don’t have to spend any time reading an instruction manual or figuring out how to use the builder through trial and error. The user-friendly interface is purposely designed to be intuitive and offers a wide range of features and functionalities. Such features help you build a tailored website on your own without any technical knowledge or hefty price tags.
You can choose from hundreds of unique templates and then edit them using the drag-and-drop editor to make them entirely your own. Images, shapes, forms, headings, buttons, maps, links, videos, and so many other features can be added to your webpage with just a few clicks. And what you see in the editing mode is exactly what the website will look like when it goes live.
Take a look at HOSTAFRICA’s tutorial video below to see just how responsive and intuitive building a website with a website builder can be:
After building your website, you can see what it looks like in various formats (desktop, tablet, mobile) and adjust anything that looks unsatisfactory.
Let’s look at HOSTAFRICA’s ‘Healthy Skin’ website template again. Suppose you want to change the background image. You will click on the block to select it and then select the Edit icon for the background.
This will open up a menu from where you can add a different image to the background, a video, or simply change it to a block of color. You can also change its positioning. Since you decided to simply switch to another image, you click the Edit icon.
This opens up a menu where you can choose an image from a template gallery, upload a new file from your device, or enter the link for an image or video which will then appear in the background.
You choose the image you want and hit Select.
And voila, the background has now been changed!
Like the background, every change you make to the website template is simple, intuitive, and can be completed in just a few clicks. You can also make other changes you desire, such as adding a form for website visitors, CTA buttons, and e-commerce features like shopping carts and payment options.
Try out HOSTAFRICA’s website builder for free with the demo version! You can create a new website from scratch, or import your existing website and try out a few tweaks.
Benefits of Using a Website Builder
Website builders enable both beginners and experienced designers to build a website with ease – one that accurately represents their brand and business.
Let’s dissect a few key benefits of using a drag-and-drop website builder.
Easy to Use
The most attractive and obvious benefit of website builders is that users don’t need any technical knowledge of coding. Anyone with a business and the need for an online presence can use online or offline website builders to build their website from the ground up. Because of the user-friendly functionality, such as pre-designed templates and drag-and-drop features, even people with little to no website design experience can build beautiful and responsive websites in no time.
Affordable
Website builders are typically quite affordable. For example, you can get started with HOSTAFRICA’s website builder for as low as $6.09/month. Even if you don’t have a vast budget, a pricing plan like this won’t put a major dent in your wallet.
Many website builders also offer a website hosting service along with domain services, making everything that a non-technical website owner might need available under one roof. This suite of services also makes website building more affordable compared to buying different website services from different vendors.
Compatible with Mobile
Every digital experience today needs to be mobile-first. In fact, a study shows that 57% of Internet users would never recommend a business to others if it has a poorly designed website on mobile. Website builders allow you to view how your website would look on different devices and platforms so that you can tailor a seamless experience for all your users, no matter what device they’re using to visit your website.
Less Time to Launch
Because of the type of website tools available with website builders, users can design, assemble, and launch a beautiful and functional website in no time. This is especially attractive for people looking to establish an online presence quickly.
Low Maintenance
When you use a website builder to create a website, you’re automatically subscribed to any updates and security patches available with your website plan. This ensures that you have a hands-off approach once the website is finished, and can focus on your business instead of worrying about technicalities.
Differentiation and Flexibility
Even though pre-designed templates are available for you to choose from, website builders offer so many customization options that no two websites look exactly the same. You can modify your website based on your needs and preferences, and you can also get add-ons for an additional fee.
Less Room for Error
Because pre-designed templates and other functionalities of website builders have been built and cross-checked by experts in their respective fields, using website builders reduces the likelihood of mistakes. The coding behind various functionalities is handled automatically by the website builder you’re using. Templates and other design elements are also created by expert designers, making it less likely that you’ll make a design mistake that’s a turn-off for website visitors.
Drawbacks of Using a Website Builder
However, not all is rainbows and unicorns when using website builders. There are a few drawbacks to using these tools, especially when it comes to scalability and the need for specific solutions.
Limits to Customization
While website builders offer a wide range of customization options, they can still be limiting for people who want a completely bespoke solution. Most templates and designs are pre-defined, with some room for flexibility. They can’t match the customization capabilities of a website that’s been professionally coded from scratch.
Plan Restrictions
Most website builders use a subscription-based model and offer multiple plans with varying features and limitations. The limitations of lower-priced plans can put restrictions on how a user’s website functions and grows. That’s why it’s important to carefully review the plans offered by different website builders and choose one that best aligns with your needs.
Vendor Lock-In
Because they’re using a specific website builder, users are tied to a specific platform. This means that when it’s time to scale or migrate to another platform, the process can be time-consuming. Often, the website builder is also the user’s web host and this can cause problems for users because now they’ll have to spread out the services they need between vendors. This can not only be challenging but also costly.
So when should you NOT use a website builder?
If you have a business that’s constantly growing, and/or you manage a complex website with advanced SEO needs, then a website builder may not be for you. That’s because website builders don’t offer unlimited customizability, advanced SEO features, or e-commerce scalability options that your business may be after.
Things to Consider When Choosing a Website Builder
Features and Functionality
When choosing a website builder, here are some features you should look out for:
- User-friendliness: This is especially important if you’re a beginner. Check the website builder out and see if it has an intuitive interface that’s easy to understand and navigate. Explore the drag-and-drop features, editing tools, templates, and design options. A good website builder should minimize the learning curve so that you can focus on building the website instead of learning the tool.
- Pricing: You should choose a plan that offers the functionality you need and that you can afford long term. There are many website builders on the market but not all are created equal. Some may offer low-cost plans with very limited functionalities while others may have hidden costs. Compare and choose the one that best fits your needs and budget.
- Customization: You should have enough customization options to freely create a personalized website. You should be able to modify elements, fonts, and layouts, among other things. A good website builder provides a balance between structured templates and creative freedom.
- Integrations: Your website builder should be compatible with social media, payment platforms, email marketing services, Google Analytics, SEO tools, and CRM tools. This will ensure seamless operations and growth for your business.
- Additional features: The best website builders come with additional features and services to make your life easier. This could include a library of royalty-free images or 24/7 access to customer support.
Pricing and Plans
Most website builders offer different pricing tiers. Let’s look at the most common ones:
- Free trial: This plan is free for anyone to use for a limited time (usually 7 or 14 days) and explore the available features before committing.
- Starter pack: This is a low-cost plan with slightly more features than the free version. It’s suitable for beginners and people who don’t have complex needs for their website.
- Pro plan: This is suitable for solopreneurs or small businesses, and costs slightly more than the starter pack.
- Business plan: This plan is the most expensive (and by a large increment) and is for corporations with a wider and highly specific range of needs and tools.
Support and Resources
With something as important for businesses as building a website, users must get all the support and resources they need. When choosing a website builder, check to see whether they have a live chat, 24/7 customer support (especially if you’re in a different time zone), and a knowledge base that you can use to help yourself.
Reach out to the customer support agents and see how they handle your questions. That will give you a good idea of how helpful they’ll be in the future as well.
Comparison of the Top Website Builders in 2024
WIX
Wix is trusted by over 250 million people worldwide. It offers multiple pricing options for users that start from the Light plan at $17/month and go up to $159/month for the Business Elite plan. Wix offers storage, a marketing suite, a free domain for up to one year, analytics, responsive elements, AI solutions, e-commerce, and a developer platform. It also integrates seamlessly with socials and payment portals.
HOSTAFRICA
HOSTAFRICA offers an affordable range of pricing plans for its website builder. They start at $6.09/month and go up to $23.41/month. Highlights of HOSTAFRICA’s plans include: a free .africa domain, mail protection, a free SSL certificate, SEO tools, unlimited traffic, a 30-day money-back guarantee, and a 99.99% uptime guarantee. You can also use the demo version for free to explore the capabilities that the website builder offers, including importing your existing website and playing around with it.
SQUARESPACE
Squarespace is an award-winning website builder that’s most commonly used for portfolio websites. It offers a free trial, blogging and SEO tools, analytics, integrations, and a mobile app. It also offers invoicing, scheduling, and course creation. The pricing starts at $11/month and goes up to $36/month.
WordPress
WordPress is a popular CMS and website builder. Pricing for WordPress websites starts from $4/month and goes up to $45/month, while the enterprise version costs $25,000/year. WordPress offers a 55% discount for yearly plans as well as access to dozens of premium themes, a free domain for a year, an ad-free experience, an in-depth analytics dashboard, a free staging site, robust security, storage plans, and various e-commerce capabilities.
Website Builder vs. Website Designer: Which is Better?
Short answer: It depends. For a more detailed answer, consider this comparison table we created to help you decide the option that best fits your needs:
| Feature | Website Builder | Website Designer |
| Budget | Offers cost savings because most website builders provide package deals that also include hosting and domain registration. | You’ll need a higher budget ($2500 upwards) because you’ll be paying for both design and monthly maintenance. |
| Time and energy | Building a DIY website takes some patience to get you over the learning curve, especially if you’re not tech-savvy. | You won’t have to invest any time or energy because the designer will handle everything. But a designer takes more time to build a website. |
| Customization and complexity | You have limited customizations which means you won’t be overwhelmed with choices. Works great for non-complex projects. | If you have specific design or functional needs, it’s best to hire a pro to build a custom website for you. |
| Security and support | The best website builder platforms automatically keep your data secure as part of your package. They also offer support and resources to make your website building easier. | Websites need to be constantly updated, secured, and refreshed. This means your designer will charge you for monthly maintenance. |
| Your own skill level | If you have any design or coding skills, or are tech-savvy, using a website builder is the best option. | If you’re a complete beginner and not very tech-savvy, it’s best to save yourself the headache and hire a web designer. |
| Design and strategy | You can use pre-designed templates which can be customized to varying degrees so that your website looks different from other people’s. Website builders also leverage basic marketing and SEO tools to give you the best experience. | A designer can build a beautiful custom website for you. And if they also know about marketing and SEO, that’s great. Otherwise, you’ll need to pay someone else to audit your website for these aspects or DIY. |
Who Benefits Most from Using a Website Builder?
Generally speaking, a website builder is most beneficial for people who want a functional website at a low cost and in a short time. This includes freelancers who don’t have coding skills, small business owners who want to quickly establish an online presence, and non-tech-savvy individuals who are looking for the most stress-free way to build a customized website.
According to Marketresearch.biz, the website building software market is expected to grow to USD 3.9 billion by 2032.
Website Builder Software Market Growth
This shows that website owners are increasingly switching to using website builders because of their ease of use, affordability, and time-saving nature.
Why a Website Builder Might Be the Right Choice for You
Website visitors take only 0.05 seconds to form an opinion about your website, and this determines whether they’ll stay or bounce. So if you’re a business owner or a solopreneur, use a website builder to create a professional website – after all, your website is your digital business card. Attract customers, increase conversions, and generate more leads with an affordable, branded website that fits your brand vision and business objectives.
Conclusion
Build a professional, responsive website today with HOSTAFRICA’s website builder. It’s rated 4.9 out of 5, based on 1790 reviews! Save yourself the hassle, and use the best and most affordable website builder out there to build your dream website.
