In the past, if you wanted a website you needed to hire the services of a web designer but that’s not the case any more. Thanks to website builders and managed hosting services, anyone can build a website and without any prior technical knowledge.
So if you can’t quite believe that it’s possible to create your own site and have it up and running within a few hours – keep reading…
What is a website builder?
A website builder is a clever software program that enables just about anyone to build their own website, quickly and easily. No previous experience is needed, so whether you’re about to embark on writing a blog, or you intend to sell goods or services online, you can create your very own site.
Websites are created using programming languages, typically HTML and CSS, but nowadays, thanks to website builders, there’s no requirement to do any coding at all. Website builders have been designed to be incredibly user-friendly, so all you need to do is drag and drop photos, images, text and even video onto your design template.
If you know how to move a file or image on your computer, then you’ll be able to create and publish your very own website.
How do website builders work?
Website builders come in a variety of formats, but essentially, they all perform the same role which is to help anybody to create a functioning website.
Most website builders let you create your new site completely online, so you’ll need an internet connection to get started. The major benefit of this approach is that everything is taken care of for you. You can purchase your domain name, start creating your site and then launch it straight away, without having to worry about setting up separate hosting services.
You can also make changes to your site and update it in real time and you’ll find all the help and support you need in the form of online guides, tutorials and videos. With hundreds of new customers signing up and creating beautiful and effective sites, the software is completely intuitive.
I want to build my own website, where do I begin?
The first step is to choose your package and then pick your template. Most website builders offer a dazzling array, encompassing just about every theme you could possibly imagine.
Once you’ve found a template you like, it’s time to start tweaking it, adding your own colours, fonts, graphics and text. Thanks to the easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface, it’s simple to move elements around, creating your own unique website in the process.
Keep it simple
Website builders offer a huge range of plug-ins and add-ons that add extra elements of fun and interest to a site. Sometimes these are available free of charge, but in other instances, they are paid for separately. As tempting as it is to browse through the available options and start adding them to your site, it’s better to resist, at least at first.
General advice is to create a simple website to begin with. First, establish what the purpose of the site is to be. Are you hoping to gather email details? Is the objective to sell goods or services? Or is your site a self-promotional tool, such as a showcase for your art, or your writing? Once you’re clear about the aim of your website, you can consider how best to get your message across.
A simple website should include basic information, including contact details. You can build on it over time, adding extra features as your site grows and you extend your online reach. In the meantime, a simple website will ensure that your visitors enjoy the best possible online experience.
Want to try it for yourself? Explore our Website Builder range and features and get ready to get online.
