For many, choosing the best website builder is the next logical step once you’ve purchased your domain and hosting package. While having a domain and hosting is important, it’s the website builder that enables you to create a functional, visually appealing website that effectively showcases your brand to potential customers.
Choosing the right website builder is crucial. You need a solution that’s user-friendly, incorporates the latest features and technology, and is cost-effective. The right website builder should also work seamlessly with your chosen web hosting plan.
With so many options available, finding the perfect website builder can be daunting. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve compiled a list of our top recommendations for 2024.
Best free website builder: VentraIP’s Free Website Builder
Pros: Free to use, no coding required, fast setup, mobile-friendly, secure.
Who is it for? Perfect for small businesses looking to make a mark online quickly and efficiently.
VentraIP’s Website Builder simplifies your online journey by allowing you to create a stunning, professional website in minutes, all without any costs or coding knowledge required. It’s an ideal choice for any small business ready to establish an online presence.
Follow our guide to build a new website in just a few minutes.
Best WordPress Website Builder: Elementor for WordPress
Pros: Highly customisable, user-friendly drag-and-drop interface, extensive template library, powerful design features.
Cons: Requires a WordPress hosting plan, premium features can be costly.
Who is it for? Ideal for those who want to leverage the power of WordPress with a visual builder that offers advanced design capabilities.
Elementor is one of the most popular website builders for WordPress. It offers a drag-and-drop interface that allows you to create beautiful, custom websites without needing to write any code. With its extensive library of templates and widgets, you can design a professional-looking website tailored to your brand.
Best All-Round Website Builder: Wix
Pros: Easy to use, no coding required, flexible templates, built-in SEO tools, extensive app market.
Cons: Free plan includes Wix branding, premium plans can be pricey.
Who is it for? Great for solo entrepreneurs, startups, and small businesses looking for an intuitive and versatile website builder.
Wix is a well-known website builder that offers a range of pricing options and a user-friendly interface. You can choose from hundreds of templates or create your own design from scratch. Wix’s drag-and-drop editor makes it easy to customise your site, and the built-in SEO tools help improve your site’s visibility in search engines.
How to choose a website builder
Choosing the right website builder depends on your specific needs, budget, and technical comfort level. Here are a few tips to help you make the best choice:
- Assess Your Needs: Determine what features you need for your website, such as eCommerce capabilities, blogging, or portfolio showcases.
- Consider Your Budget: Website builders range from free to premium plans. Decide how much you’re willing to invest in your website.
- Ease of Use: Look for a builder with an intuitive interface, especially if you have limited technical skills.
- Customisation Options: Ensure the builder offers enough flexibility to create a website that reflects your brand.
- Support and Resources: Choose a builder that provides robust customer support and plenty of learning resources.
Tips for creating a great website
If you’re a beginner, start with a template
If you’re a beginner, starting with a template can significantly simplify the website creation process. Templates are pre-designed layouts that you can customise to suit your brand. They ensure that your site looks professional from the start and save you the time and effort of designing from scratch. Look for templates that match your industry and style to give your website a cohesive and appealing look. Most website builders offer a variety of templates to choose from, so you can find one that fits your needs perfectly.
Add Important Pages
Every website needs a few essential pages to provide visitors with the necessary information and functionality. At a minimum, make sure your website includes:
- Home Page: The first impression of your site, featuring an overview of what your business or blog is about.
- About Page: A place to share your story, mission, and the people behind your business.
- Services or Products Page: Detailed information about what you offer, including descriptions, prices, and benefits.
- Contact Page: Make it easy for visitors to reach you with a contact form, phone number, email address, and physical location if applicable.
- Blog Page: If you plan to share news, updates, or articles, a blog can be a valuable addition to your site.
Including these pages ensures that your visitors can easily find the information they need and helps build trust and credibility.
Optimise for mobile
With an increasing number of people accessing websites via smartphones and tablets, optimising your site for mobile devices is crucial. A mobile-friendly website ensures that your content is easily readable and navigable on smaller screens. Most modern website builders offer responsive design options, which automatically adjust your site’s layout to fit any screen size. Test your website on various devices to make sure it looks good and functions well everywhere.
Focus on User Experience
User experience (UX) is all about making your website easy and enjoyable to use. Pay attention to the following aspects to enhance UX:
- Navigation: Ensure your website is easy to navigate with a clear and logical menu structure.
- Load Times: A slow website can frustrate visitors. Optimise images, use efficient coding practices, and consider a reliable hosting provider to ensure fast load times.
- Readability: Use clear, concise language and a readable font size. Break up text with headings, bullet points, and images to make it easier to digest.
- Calls to Action: Guide your visitors towards desired actions with clear and compelling calls to action (CTAs), such as “Contact Us,” “Buy Now,” or “Learn More.”
A good user experience keeps visitors on your site longer and increases the likelihood of conversions.
Use High-Quality Images
Visual content plays a crucial role in capturing visitors’ attention and conveying your brand message. High-resolution images can make your website look more professional and engaging. Avoid using stock photos that look too generic or overused. Instead, invest in high-quality images that reflect your brand’s personality. If possible, use original photography to make your site stand out. Ensure that images are optimised for the web to prevent slow load times, and use descriptive alt text for better accessibility and SEO.
Implement SEO Best Practices
Search engine optimisation (SEO) is essential for improving your website’s visibility in search engine results. Follow these SEO best practices to help your site rank higher:
- Keyword Research: Identify the keywords and phrases your target audience is searching for and incorporate them naturally into your content.
- Meta Tags: Use descriptive and keyword-rich meta titles and descriptions for each page.
- Headings and Content Structure: Use headings (H1, H2, H3) to structure your content and make it easier for search engines to understand.
- Alt Text for Images: Add descriptive alt text to all images to help search engines index your visual content.
- Quality Content: Regularly update your website with fresh, valuable content that addresses your audience’s needs and interests.
By implementing these SEO strategies, you can attract more organic traffic to your site and improve your search engine rankings.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Website?
The cost of building a website can vary widely based on the platform you choose, the features you need, and whether you hire a professional to help you. Here’s a breakdown of potential costs:
- Domain Name: Typically $10-$20+ per year, depending on the domain name extension.
- Web Hosting: $10+ per month for shared hosting; more for VPS or dedicated hosting
- Website Builder: Free to $30+ per month
- Premium Themes and Plugins: $20-$100 one-time or annual fees
- Professional Web Design Services: $500-$5000+ depending on complexity
Free Website Builders – Are They Worth It?
Free website builders can be an excellent starting point, especially if you’re on a tight budget. They offer a hassle-free way to get your website up and running quickly. Here are some benefits of using free website builders:
- Cost-Effective: Ideal for individuals and small businesses looking to establish an online presence without any initial investment.
- Ease of Use: Designed to be user-friendly, these builders typically offer drag-and-drop functionality, making website creation accessible to everyone.
- Quick Setup: You can have a functional website up and running in no time, which is perfect for testing ideas or launching a personal project.
- No Coding Required: You don’t need any technical skills or coding knowledge to build a professional-looking website.
If you want to get your business online today, try our Free Website Builder out. It only takes a few minutes to create a great looking website.
