1. Weebly – Arguably the best user-interface when it comes to building websites and controlling their content and layout. Very easy-to-use.
2. SquareSpace – This site screams sophistication with its sleek minimalist design. Very easy to build and manipulate site elements. The tool is most suited to portfolio styled sites however.
3. Virb – A very visual based site builder. Targets film makers and photographers predominantly but the final result is still an excellent looking site.
4. WordPress – A titan in the blog industry. Potential to build effective websites here however, particularly given the variety available on the platform
5. Ghost – This platform has only recently been released in its beta form. While blogs would be the primary use of this software, the gorgeous design and fantastic dashboard of statistics and metrics make it a very attractive package.
6. Adobe Muse – The only software on this list that lets the user build a site from scratch. As a result, only experienced users need apply, the learning curve is very steep.
7. One Pager – As the title suggests, the specialist in one page websites. Interestingly, the brand aims to attract small businesses as the primary customer. In terms of online presence, all that may be required of a SME is a simple webpage with information.
8. Webs – Massive amounts of functionality available with this resource. Can complicate things unnecessarily.
9. Wix – Emphasis is on the visual here. The finished product looks fantastic but the functionality of the website can take a hit as a result.
10. Zoho Sites – Almost opposite to Wix. Emphasis on the foundation functionality of the site. Little by way of templates and there is no mobile support. (SiteBuilderReport.com, 2013)
It is important to bear in mind that I have not used every one of these website builders personally. It is simply a list amalgamated from online reviews and those I have actually used and found to be worthy of mentioning. They are listed in my order of preference. I did my best to outline certain traits of each that distinguishes one platform from another, particularly if a site is suited more to one industry that another. However, all of them can provide SMEs with excellent finished products, in the form of a clean, professional, functioning website.
Crucially, the sources are mostly free to use and payment is normally only required to access premium features. This can obviously be decided at the discretion of each individual business depending on budget, goals etc.
Finally, I'd like to leave you with this excellent infographic regarding the importance of designing with mobile in mind. It's something that should be considered at least when building the website using one of the tools above.
INFOGRAPHIC
SiteBuilderReport.com, 2013. General Website Builders. [Online]
Available at: http://www.sitebuilderreport.com/
[Accessed 20 January 2014].
2. SquareSpace – This site screams sophistication with its sleek minimalist design. Very easy to build and manipulate site elements. The tool is most suited to portfolio styled sites however.
3. Virb – A very visual based site builder. Targets film makers and photographers predominantly but the final result is still an excellent looking site.
4. WordPress – A titan in the blog industry. Potential to build effective websites here however, particularly given the variety available on the platform
5. Ghost – This platform has only recently been released in its beta form. While blogs would be the primary use of this software, the gorgeous design and fantastic dashboard of statistics and metrics make it a very attractive package.
6. Adobe Muse – The only software on this list that lets the user build a site from scratch. As a result, only experienced users need apply, the learning curve is very steep.
7. One Pager – As the title suggests, the specialist in one page websites. Interestingly, the brand aims to attract small businesses as the primary customer. In terms of online presence, all that may be required of a SME is a simple webpage with information.
8. Webs – Massive amounts of functionality available with this resource. Can complicate things unnecessarily.
9. Wix – Emphasis is on the visual here. The finished product looks fantastic but the functionality of the website can take a hit as a result.
10. Zoho Sites – Almost opposite to Wix. Emphasis on the foundation functionality of the site. Little by way of templates and there is no mobile support. (SiteBuilderReport.com, 2013)
It is important to bear in mind that I have not used every one of these website builders personally. It is simply a list amalgamated from online reviews and those I have actually used and found to be worthy of mentioning. They are listed in my order of preference. I did my best to outline certain traits of each that distinguishes one platform from another, particularly if a site is suited more to one industry that another. However, all of them can provide SMEs with excellent finished products, in the form of a clean, professional, functioning website.
Crucially, the sources are mostly free to use and payment is normally only required to access premium features. This can obviously be decided at the discretion of each individual business depending on budget, goals etc.
Finally, I'd like to leave you with this excellent infographic regarding the importance of designing with mobile in mind. It's something that should be considered at least when building the website using one of the tools above.
INFOGRAPHIC
SiteBuilderReport.com, 2013. General Website Builders. [Online]
Available at: http://www.sitebuilderreport.com/
[Accessed 20 January 2014].