What is a Website?

A website is a collection of interconnected web pages hosted on the internet. It acts as your digital address, accessible to anyone with an internet connection. Websites serve various purposes, such as:

• E-commerce: Online stores selling products or services.
• Standard Brochure website: Static informational website for businesses. 
• Portfolio: Displaying creative work or achievements.
• Blogging: Sharing ideas, stories, or expertise.
• Information: Providing business information, resources or news.
• Community: Forums and discussion platforms.

Standard Brochure Website

Standard brochure websites are static websites that contains information about a business. For instance, it will have a homepage along with couple of other pages such as About us, Our Services, Gallery and also a Contact Us page which may have an online form which users can fill in to get in touch with the business. It may have particular fields such as Name, Phone and Email with a Message box that the business wants you to provide in order for them to get back to you with a quote or answer your enquiries. This is the most popular form of website which most businesses have. It acts like a digital brochure for your business. Giving visitors the key information they require before approaching you. It’s ideal to showcase your testimonials as well. 

E-commerce: Online stores selling products or services

E-commerce websites have revolutionised the way businesses operate by providing a virtual storefront accessible 24/7. These sites allow companies to showcase their products or services to a global audience, breaking down geographical barriers. They typically include features like product listings, shopping carts, secure payment gateways, and customer reviews, making it easy for users to browse and purchase items. For businesses, e-commerce reduces overhead costs associated with physical stores, such as rent and utilities, while also offering valuable analytics to track customer behaviour and optimise sales strategies. E-commerce websites have increased in numbers in recent years due to many companies offering hosted e-commerce platform such as Shopify. 

Portfolio: Displaying creative work or achievements

Portfolio websites are an essential tool for professionals, artists, and creatives to present their work to potential clients, employers, or collaborators. These sites are carefully designed to reflect the individual’s style and expertise, often featuring galleries, case studies, and detailed project descriptions. A well-constructed portfolio can leave a lasting impression by providing visitors with a seamless way to explore one’s accomplishments. Additionally, portfolios often include contact forms, downloadable CVs, and links to social media profiles, streamlining the process of networking and securing new opportunities.

Blogging: Sharing ideas, stories, or expertise

Blogging websites serve as a platform for individuals or organisations to express their thoughts, share experiences, or provide expert insights. They can cover a wide range of topics, from personal reflections to professional advice, catering to specific audiences. Blogs often include features like comment sections, which foster interaction and build a sense of community among readers. For businesses, blogs can enhance brand visibility, improve search engine rankings, and establish authority in their field. Meanwhile, personal bloggers may find fulfilment in sharing their voice and connecting with like-minded individuals worldwide.

Information: Providing resources or news

Informational websites are designed to educate or inform visitors about a particular subject, event, or issue. These sites often belong to organisations, educational institutions, news outlets, or government bodies and aim to present content in a clear and easily navigable manner. Features such as articles, videos, downloadable resources, and FAQs ensure that users can quickly find the information they need. In the digital age, these websites play a crucial role in spreading knowledge, raising awareness, and keeping people updated on current affairs, scientific advancements, or health guidelines.

Community: Forums and discussion platforms

Community websites foster interaction and collaboration among users with shared interests or goals. These platforms typically include forums, chat features, and user-generated content, enabling participants to exchange ideas, seek advice, and build relationships. Examples include niche forums, social networks, and platforms like Reddit or Discord. Such websites are invaluable for creating a sense of belonging and support, especially for individuals seeking guidance or companionship in specific areas, from hobbies to professional development. They also provide a space for grassroots movements and advocacy, empowering users to create meaningful change.

What Are Website Builders?

A website builder is a user-friendly tool or software platform designed to simplify the process of creating a website, even for those with no prior coding or technical experience. These tools remove the need to learn complex programming languages like HTML, CSS, or JavaScript, allowing users to focus on the creative and structural aspects of their website. Website builders typically offer a library of professionally designed templates tailored for various industries, such as e-commerce, portfolios, blogs, and informational sites.

The drag-and-drop functionality is a standout feature, enabling users to visually arrange elements like text, images, videos, and buttons on a web page by simply clicking and moving them to the desired location. This intuitive process provides real-time feedback, making it easy to experiment with layouts and designs. Additionally, most website builders include customisation options, such as colour schemes, font choices, and interactive features, to ensure the final site aligns with the user’s personal brand or business identity.

Many website builders also integrate tools for SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), mobile responsiveness, and analytics, helping users optimise their site for visibility and performance. With hosting and domain services often bundled in, these platforms offer an all-in-one solution for bringing a website to life. This accessibility has empowered millions of individuals, small businesses, and organisations to establish an online presence without requiring significant time, money, or technical expertise. 

Website builders are most often useful for people who only require a simple webpage to show their information not requiring a great deal of attention and do not want to spend much building a custom website. One of the downside is, you still end up spending time building a web page using the tools provided but it will be saved on the company’s hosting so not ideal if you ever wanted to move away or further develop the website.

Types of Website Builders

• Online Website Builders: Platforms like Wix or Squarespace that work entirely in your web browser.
• Offline Website Builders: Software like Adobe Dreamweaver that you install on your computer and use offline.

Why Use a Website Builder?

Website builders are powerful tools that cater to both beginners with no technical experience and professionals who need to create websites quickly and efficiently. They offer a balance of ease, affordability, and functionality, making them an attractive option for many users. Below is a breakdown of their advantages and disadvantages.

Top Website Builders in 2024 (UK Pricing)

Website Builder	Best For	Key Features	Starting Price	Rating (Out of 5)
	Beginners & Versatility	Drag-and-drop editor, App Market, SEO tools	£13/month	4.8
	Creative Professionals	Beautiful templates, Blogging tools, Analytics	£13/month	4.6
	E-commerce	Advanced e-commerce tools, Payment gateways, Analytics	£25/month	4.7
	Small Businesses	Easy-to-use, E-commerce features, SEO options	£8/month	4.4
	Bloggers & Content	Advanced customization, SEO plugins, Blogging tools	£3.50/month	4.5
	Quick Setup	AI-assisted builder, Hosting, Domain integration	£8.50/month	4.3

Detailed Comparison

A breakdown of the top website builders, including their pros and cons.

Wix:
Wix is known for being very user-friendly, making it ideal for beginners or those who don’t have any technical skills. The platform offers a vast selection of templates, which means you can quickly find a design that suits your needs. You can drag and drop elements to customise your website without needing to write any code. However, as your website grows, Wix can become quite costly, especially if you need additional features or more storage space. For larger websites with lots of content or advanced features, the cost can add up.

Squarespace:
Squarespace is famous for its beautifully designed templates, which are perfect for creative professionals, photographers, and anyone who wants to showcase their work. The platform also includes strong blogging tools, making it a great choice for bloggers or content-heavy sites. However, one downside is that it has limited integrations with third-party apps compared to some other website builders. This can be restrictive if you need advanced features or want to connect to a variety of tools for email marketing, social media, or analytics.

Shopify:
Shopify is specifically designed for e-commerce, offering everything you need to set up an online store, including payment processing, inventory management, and shipping tools. It’s great for businesses looking to sell products online, whether you’re just starting or running a large-scale store. That said, it can be expensive, especially if you don’t have a high volume of sales. Shopify is also not as ideal for non-e-commerce sites, as it’s focused primarily on online selling, and you may not have the flexibility to create other types of websites without paying for additional apps or features.

Weebly:
Weebly is another easy-to-use website builder that’s great for beginners. It’s known for being affordable, offering both free and reasonably priced plans. With Weebly, you can create a functional website quickly without needing technical expertise. However, its design options are somewhat limited compared to other platforms, and the customization options may not be as advanced. If you’re looking for a basic site, Weebly is a good choice, but if you need a more unique or feature-rich design, you might outgrow it.

WordPress.com:
WordPress.com offers great flexibility and is highly customizable, which is perfect for users who want more control over their website. It’s the hosted version of WordPress, so you don’t need to worry about server management. However, while it’s free to use, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan if you want advanced features, like custom themes or the ability to add plugins. WordPress is ideal for bloggers and those who want a lot of control over their site, but if you want to access its full potential, be prepared to pay for the premium options.

GoDaddy:
GoDaddy is known for its fast setup process, making it a great choice if you want to get your website up and running quickly. The platform is relatively simple, with pre-built templates that you can easily customise. However, the downside is that GoDaddy offers limited customization options compared to other website builders. If you’re looking for more advanced features or want to fully tailor your site, GoDaddy might feel a bit restrictive. It’s also not as flexible as some other platforms when it comes to scaling or adding complex functionalities.

Tips: Check out our comparison between WordPress and Shopify

Key Features to Look For in a Website Builder

• Ease of Use
• Customisation
• E-commerce Tools
• SEO Tools
• Cost
• Customer Support

Visualising Popularity

Website Builder Market Share in 2024 (Estimated):

• Wix: 30%
• Squarespace: 25%
• Shopify: 20%
• Weebly: 10%
• WordPress.com: 10%
• GoDaddy: 5%

Conclusion: What we think

The best website builder for you will depend on your specific needs, budget, and technical skills. It’s a good idea to take advantage of free trials before committing to a platform. Building your own site can take a lot of time, and you might find yourself running out of time or getting stuck on something you can’t figure out.

If you’re confident your website will always stay simple, then a website builder might be a good choice. However, if you think your site will need upgrading in the future or require more complex features, it’s better to opt for a custom-built website. Website builders often have limitations, and the monthly costs can increase as you add new features.

When it comes to SEO, website builders are generally not the best option because they limit how much you can customise. If SEO is a priority for you, a custom website might be a better solution. Alternatively, you could use an open-source CMS like WordPress, which offers more flexibility and includes drag-and-drop tools. You’d just need to arrange your own hosting.

FAQs

See below most commonly asked questions.