Having a website and a strong online presence is the backbone of every business. It has become crucial in ensuring any business’s survival and especially important for small and medium companies and startups. Simply put, an effective website will take your business to another level and put you a step ahead of your competition.

However, creating a website can be a time-consuming and exhausting process that requires skill, knowledge, and practice. Fortunately, we live in a time when it has never been easier to create a website, even with zero technical knowledge. With the help of easy-to-use services known as website builders, you can build a high-quality website from scratch.

So, what exactly are web builders and how do they work?

In simple words, website builders are tools that help you quickly and easily create a website with no coding or design skills and without web developers’ help.

On the plus side, many of them provide hosting and domains. These tools allow both beginners and tech-savvy users to create a fully optimized website within minutes. They are easy to use, have pre-coded templates, analytical tools, SEO tools, and much more. The steps are simple. All you have to do is choose a template from the many available in the website builder’s library. Then customize the template design using the drag-and-drop function that allows you to move and add elements like images, video, text, titles, and buttons wherever you want on your page. Upload your content, preview, and publish. That’s how easy it is.

Choosing the right online web builder can be overwhelming. It would be best if you made a choice based on your unique needs. However, any good website builder should have the following features:

• A drag-and-drop builder
• Built-in tech support
• Customization option
• User-friendly interface
• E-commerce solution
• A free plan or trial period
• Hosting
• Lots of quality website design templates and themes
• Mobile compatibility
• Scalability
• Website analytics and reports

To help you choose the best option, we’ve compiled a list of six of the most popular website builders for 2021 on the market and their advantages and disadvantages:

1. Bookmark
2. Wix
3. Shopify
4. WordPress
5. Joomla
6. Squarespace

Bookmark

Bookmark is an AI-based website builder perfect for small business owners with technical, time, and budget limitations. AIDA, its artificial intelligence design assistant, will help you build your website in two minutes. The best thing about AIDA is that you don’t need coding or designing skills. AIDA will analyze your needs and walk you through the process, choosing from the million combinations to create a functional and unique website. Then, with their simple drag-and-drop editor, you can further customize your website. Plus, Bookmark is a fully hosted platform.

 Pros:

• AI design assistant
• Customer support 
• Design customization options
• Drag and drop interface
• User-friendly interface
• E-commerce
• Free hosting and domain name registration
• Free plan
• Integrated statistics
• Live chat
• Mobile responsive
• Online training courses
• Social media integrations
• Supports SEO

 Cons:

• A limited number of templates
• Some templates may be too basic for those with programming experience
• Third-party plugins can be expensive

Pricing:

Bookmark offers a free trial and a free version. The two paid plans range from $11.99-£24.99/month. Visit their website for more info.

Wix

Wix is one of the most popular free hosted, cloud-based website builders. It is a beginner-friendly and cost-effective website design tool best for bloggers and small businesses. By using Wix, you’ll get access to hundreds of templates you can easily edit. It offers two products: Wix Editor, an intuitive drag-and-drop site builder that allows you customization freedom, and Wix ADI, an AI-based system that creates a website in minutes, best for those that seek a quick solution.

Pros:

• A variety of widgets and apps
• Drag-and-drop editor
• User-friendly interface
• Image editor
• More than 500 templates easy to customize available
• No coding or technical knowledge needed 
• SEO tools
• Variety of plan options 
• Wix artificial design intelligence

 Cons:

• Can’t switch templates after a site is published
• E-commerce marketing features are limited
• It is not easy to move your site away from Wix
• Not Ideal for large websites
• Slow loading speed
• The starter plan doesn’t remove ads from your site. 

Pricing:

Wix has eight pricing plans ranging from $14 to $500+ per month, billed annually. It also offers a limited free plan with Wix ads. For more info, check here.

Shopify 

Shopify is a fully hosted website builder designed exclusively for e-commerce websites and online stores. It is a quick and easy solution for anyone who wants to start an e-commerce business. The good thing is that you don’t need coding or design skills to build and run your online store. With its clean and intuitive drag-and-drop interface, you can organize your products. Choose from a variety of well-designed themes and templates, and customize the way your website looks. Shopify also tracks and responds to orders and accept payments, online and credit cards.

Pros:

• 14-day free trial 
• 24-hour support
• A built-in email marketing tool
• A great number of quality designs
• Abandoned cart recovery
• Automated shipping calculation
• Easy to modify designs
• Modern and mobile-friendly templates
• No coding experience needed
• Scaling
• Sell across multiple channels
• SEO features
• Unlimited product listings
• User-friendly

Cons:

• Additional fees
• Difficult to move your website away from Shopify
• Expensive services
• No free plan beyond 14 days
• Shopify Payments only available in certain countries
• URL structure is not ideal for SEO

Pricing:

Shopify offers three general plans, and they range from $29 – $299/month. Additionally, the Shopify Lite plan starts at $9/month and Shopify Plus is available at $2,000 per month. The best thing about their payment plan is that there are no additional transaction fees if you use Shopify Payments. Find out more here.

WordPress 

WordPress is probably the most popular CMS (content management system) platform in the world. There are two different versions of WordPress:

• WordPress.com – hosting service
• WordPress.org – self-hosting, open-source software that demands web development knowledge

Here we are going to review WordPress.com.

With this all-in-one website building solution, you can quickly build a website even if you don’t have much technical knowledge. It’s the best option for personal blogs or small business sites. It is flexible and scalable, and there is a wide array of themes you can choose from and personalize your site. WordPress is relatively easy to use, but it is not very beginner-friendly compared to other website creators. Like, if you want to develop your site further, you will need to have basic coding skills.

Pros:

• Accessible to beginners
• Customizable designs
• E-commerce feature
• Email and live chat support
• Free plan
• Google Analytics support
• No hosting needed
• Scalability

Cons:

• Not the easiest or the cheapest website builder to use
• Premium and lower plans do not have e-commerce features
• Slight learning curve
• You must upgrade to a business plan to install custom plugins or themes

Pricing:

WordPress.com offers five different pricing plans, ranging from free to $45/month. Go here for more details.

Joomla  

Joomla is an open-source Content Management System (CMS) that can be used to build powerful websites and applications. With Joomla, you can set up a website and you can publish all kinds of content like text, photos, videos, documents, and much more. Its many functions allow you to customize the appearance and features. Joomla, however, is not for those that need a quick and easy solution. Although it’s not very difficult to learn, it does have a learning curve that is more complex than other website creators. It’s best for people who have some web development experience. This platform offers many functions, extensions, and plugins.

Pros:

• Supports e-commerce
• Easy to edit
• A large number of Plugins and Extensions available
• SEO Friendly
• Mobile friendly
• Multilingual
• Free

Cons:

• Not user friendly
• Steep learning curve

Pricing:

It is open-source so you can own and modify your site without worrying about licensing or fees.

Squarespace

Squarespace is another website builder that is good for online stores, blogs, and smaller websites. Due to its modern and aesthetic templates, Squarespace is great for artists, photographers, and designers who want to showcase their work online and capture audience attention.

Although Squarespace allows you to customize almost everything on the website with little technical knowledge, some users find it more difficult to use than other web builders.

Pros:

• Email campaign tools
• Fully managed cloud hosting
• Mobile friendly
• Modern and aesthetic templates 
• Online store
• SEO and analytics
• Social media integration
• User-friendly interface

Cons:

• Less easy to use than other builders
• Low page speed
• More expensive than some other services

Pricing:

Squarespace doesn’t have a free plan, but you can test it out with a free 14-day trial before committing to the paid plan. Squarespace’s four pricing plans range from $12 to $40 per month.

Our Recommendation: Bookmark

As you can see, every website builder has its strengths and weaknesses, and different companies cater to different needs and budgets. Nevertheless, if you are a small business owner and entrepreneur who is looking for a quick and simple solution to establish a strong online presence, we recommend Bookmark.

Bookmark is one of the most innovative website builders on the market. What makes Bookmark stand out among competitors is its powerful Artificial Intelligence Design Assistant (AIDA), and the devoted team of developers behind it. These professionals want to set new standards in web design and are focused on continuous growth and improvement.

After asking you simple questions about your needs and goals AI algorithms will create a unique website in just a couple of minutes. And if you don’t like the finished product, the smart AI assistant will try again. Then, you can customize your site according to your needs and preferences.

Time efficiency and cost efficiency are the main advantages of Bookmark’s AIDA.

Another benefit of using Bookmark is that it provides website hosting and domain name registration. That means you don’t have to worry about managing software, keeping backups, or installing updates. Bookmark will do that for you.

So, if you run a small business, have no coding and designing experience, and have a limited time and budget, check out Bookmark. It is an affordable and reliable option.

Final Thoughts

There is no excuse for not having a website in this day and age where everything is online. A website is the face of your business, and it can have an enormous impact on your success. The better the website is, the more advantages you can gain. A well-designed website is vital for making a lasting impression on your target audience.

We tried to give you a closer look at the most popular website builders and their advantages and disadvantages. Make sure you reach a decision based on your own unique needs. Also, always use the free trial or free plan options before you make a commitment.

What to do in case you need a more powerful website?

Website builders, like the ones reviewed in this article, are great for small businesses and individuals. Still, if you are looking for a powerful hosting solution for a huge site, they may not be best for you. Building a successful website requires industry knowledge and experienced web developers. A dedicated development team should definitely manage complicated projects that require design and code. Although this option is more expensive, it is worth the investment. These professionals will offer you excellent design solutions, expert guidance, and a high-quality website that generates traffic and income.

No matter which website builder you will choose, remember, the price you’ll pay for a website is much lower than the price of not having one and getting left behind.

Hiring a professional team of developers can take time. If you don’t have any web development experience, it can be hard to make the right choice. And this is where we can help. Cosmic Development has years of experience in providing some of the best solutions to our clients. Our website experts can turn your vision into reality.

If you still can’t decide what is the best solution for your business and prefer professional advice, schedule a free consultation with us and we will help you with the process of building your online presence.

Sources:

https://www.wix.com

https://www.shopify.com

https://www.bookmark.com

https://www.joomla.org

https://www.squarespace.com

The post Top 6 Website Builders and Their Benefits appeared first on Cosmic Development.

Prior to launching eCommerce websites or stores, business owners need to decide which online tool or software they will use. Being a business owner used to require a much more significant investment in upstart capital. The rise of online businesses and eCommerce, combined with the accessibility of tools and software such as Shopify, WordPress, and WooCommerce, has eased the entire process. 

Although this eases the process, it doesn’t mean that running a good eCommerce business is simple. You have to do proper research and put in the work required to get your new business off the ground and maintain it successfully. But if you have an excellent base, work ethic, and at least a small investment of money, you can build an eCommerce website with Shopify or WordPress and start selling. 

We’ve explored several scenarios while working with our clients who wanted to sell through an eCommerce website. Before choosing what platform fits better for what you are selling, you might need to do research and see what other companies use when building their eCommerce websites. And what you will discover is that most of them use Shopify and WordPress themes to help their business stand out online. 

Shopify vs. WordPress: A lot of startup owners find themselves asking: What’s better?

We have done quick research on both platforms and the key features they offer and why you should choose one of these over the other when building an eCommerce website.

If you are interested in getting a better answer of which platform will serve your business’ needs best, you will discover the solution by the end of this article. Here is an overview of Shopify and WordPress:

Why Use Shopify to Build Your eCommerce Website?

Shopify is a web application and platform explicitly designed to allow shop owners to build and launch their online store.

It gives a range of templates that can be personalized to fulfill small businesses’ branding needs, and it provides options for both digital and physical goods to be sold on these platforms.

One of Shopify’s key benefits is that users without any technical or design skills can create a store in a few steps with no need for a developer or coding. However, those who want to have more customized themes need to know that Shopify also offers options for editing the HTML and CSS for your eCommerce website. This enables business owners to customize their online stores more extensively, as long as they have the needed coding skills.

Most of the time, the business owners of an online shop or eCommerce website have the following two options:

A. The shop is fully optimized for mobile phones. Everything is clear and easy to navigate. You can easily find what you search for. The drop-down menu works correctly. They have the amount and size of what you are looking for. There is even an option to pick your color! Great. Next, you click the cart button, and because you can save all of your essential information on your mobile phone, you can purchase by the time they bring you a coffee.

Let’s see the next scenario:

B. The website has a bad user experience. It is not fully optimized for mobile phones, and it takes many clicks to end the purchase. The thing you want to buy is in stock, but when you try to add it to your cart, the website crashes. It would help if you zoomed in more to insert your credit card number manually.

What do you think? Which scenario will work better?

These two scenarios happen often, and what is obvious is that scenario A will end with more sales. People want a fast, easy, and time-saving experience when buying something on the internet. The easy way to get to Scenario A is by coupling WordPress with Shopify.

The success formula lies in getting the two platforms working together. Shopify has a design that eases the shopping experience with personalized customizable and responsive themes. Shopify offers themes that help the owner to see the look and feel of the store and website. It provides many possibilities for customization.

The next good thing about Shopify is that it is battle-tested. They are reaching more than half a million users. There are many people already selling articles there. The owner or the seller might be good at designing cool stuff but lacks skills for marketing, payments, and secure checkouts, and Shopify helps a lot with this. And then there is everyone’s favorite platform – WordPress. Shopify has created custom themes for everyone who loves and prefers WordPress. In combination, these two offer a safe shopping hosted and controlled on the shop owner’s terms. Shopify included a built plugin to create pages or blog posts with a similar user experience from WordPress, where everything is managed.

Shopify has partnered with Themezilla, Themify, and Ultralinx and has created three incredible themes specifically for WordPress users. Each item is made to modify the websites for either the hosted or self-hosted versions of WordPress.

Shopify eCommerce Plugin

Once you pick a theme in Shopify, the next step is getting a Shopify Ecommerce Plugin, and you are ready to begin. Since the Plugin, the store and the owner’s leading website are all connected – the owner and seller can drop products and buy buttons for consumers to take any action, anywhere, not just in the store they own. The links work on the eCommerce website’s regular web pages, in a sidebar, or even on a splash page.

But here’s a little hint: the Shopify Ecommerce Plugin works well on every WordPress theme. And even if the store and website are not connected directly, customers can find the store without any trouble. Share your Shopify experience with us or schedule a free consultation here.

Shopify is a service tool – which means that you need to have costs for a monthly fee to use it instead of owning it. Shopify is a web application that runs in the cloud, so as long as you are on the Internet and you have access to a web browser, you will be able to manage your online shop from anywhere in the world.

Why Use WordPress to Build Your eCommerce Website?

WordPress is stand-alone software that business owners need to install on their own and complete step-by-step instructions which take more time. Although WordPress has a lot of useful features, here we are focusing only on the role it has when building an eCommerce website. To discover more about the benefits of WordPress, check out our expert and leader in the WordPress community – Mile Milosheski – and get advice directly from his personal experience. However, let us get back to the usage of WordPress when building an eCommerce website. There are two options when using WordPress:

• Hosted WordPress
• Self-hosted WordPress

Hosted WordPress

The hosted WordPress is available at the WordPress site, and it is similar to Shopify as it is a software as a service tool. You need to pay a monthly fee, and then you get access to a range of features that enable you to create and maintain your website. It is less of an ‘all-in-one’ solution than Shopify; however, users need to use third-party tools like Ecwif and Woocommerce to add features for an eCommerce website.

Self-hosted WordPress

The self-hosted WordPress, which owners need to self-host, is a part of the software that you can get from the leading WordPress site and install on your web server. It is open-source, meaning that the code behind it is available, and it is easily edited.

Websites built with WordPress can be easily customized to many degrees. WordPress is a flexible tool that, in the hands of the right website developer, and with the right installed plugins, can help you adjust your website to meet the requirements of nearly any web design project.

If you still can not decide what is the best video tool for your business or prefer to have professionals to help you, contact us for a free consultation and you can discuss more with our experts here.   

Reach out to our team of professionals if you want to learn more about how you can use Shopify or WordPress, regardless of whether you are building an eCommerce website or a regular one. Schedule a free consultation and start saving your time and money right away.

Sources:

• stylefactoryproductions.com/blog/shopify-vs-wordpress
• hostgator.com/blog/set-up-ecommerce-site-in-wordpress/
• zapier.com/apps/shopify/integrations/wordpress
• websitesetup.org/shopify-vs-wordpress-ecommerce/

The post How to Build an eCommerce Website with WordPress and Shopify appeared first on Cosmic Development.