If you Google “how long does it take to build a website,” you’ll get different answers.
Some say it would take weeks, others say it could be months. But if you’re using a website builder, you can build one in minutes. Yes, minutes!
Of course, even if you’re using the best website builder, you have to know that it’s not perfect. If that weren’t the case, everyone would be using site builders and web developers and designers everywhere would be out of work.
That said, there are ways to get around the limitations of site builders. Here are 7 tips that will help you get the most out of your chosen website builder.
1. Use Mobile Editor
We’ve talked about mobile web design before in a previous post. We mentioned that in 2016, more than 50% of all web traffic to top websites came from mobile.
As such, mobile optimization is one of the things you can’t ignore while building your website. Lucky for you, most website builders are equipped with a mobile editor that automatically gives you a mobile-optimized version of your site. Some (Squarespace, Weebly, and Jimdo) even offer templates that are already mobile responsive.
2. Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment
Are website templates from site building platforms customizable? Sure. But don’t expect deep tweaks like you would from a custom web developer.
If you’re still in the planning stage and shopping around for the best website builder, though, you’ll be glad to know that most offer a good selection of design templates. This means if you’re pressed for time and just want to launch a website quick, you know at least that you’re not limited when it comes to design options.
Along the way, if you’ve picked up some basic coding knowledge or hired an in-house designer/developer, you can modify your chosen template as you wish. This will give you more flexibility in terms of customizing your site. And you can be sure that even if you’re using a template, it’s not going to be super identical to others.
3. Optimize Your Content
Creating your own content is something you have to do whether your website is a template or not. And that’s a good thing. It means you can score big when it comes to content marketing.
To make sure that you do, don’t try to populate your site’s content by yourself unless you’re confident about your SEO copywriting abilities. Actually, even if you are, you may not have enough time to do that if you’re also running your own business.
But don’t worry. You can work with freelance copywriters or an agency who can ensure that your online content will bring in visitors to your site and increase conversions.
4. Prioritize SEO
What’s the one thing that would make website builders indispensable?
If you guessed a fully automated SEO feature, you’re correct. Unfortunately, even the best website builder cannot do that.
It’s not the platform’s fault. It’s just that SEO can never be entirely automated. Remember, SEO is not a one-day process.
For you to reap the fruits of SEO, you have to put in the necessary work day in and day out. The SEO options most template websites offer may not be enough to give you the rankings you want. Your best bet, in this case, is to work with an SEO professional or company who can help grow your business.
5. Consider the Premium Version
A lot of website builders offer a premium version that allows you to do more in terms of hosting, SEO, storage, analytics, and more. This is something you need to keep in mind if you’re looking to build an online store stacked with features.
Another pro to getting the premium version is you won’t have to deal with ads on your page. Now, this may be something you’re okay with if you’re just looking for a website builder for a personal blog you want to put up. But if you’re hoping to showcase your portfolio or something similar, you’ll want your site to look professional.
As is the case with most things, you get what you pay for. Investing in the premium version can go a long way if hiring a full-time dev or designer is something you don’t ever plan on doing.
6. Devote Some Time to Learning
Is WordPress the best website builder out there?
Well, “best” is a matter of preference but there’s no denying that it’s one of the most popular platforms for building websites. Unfortunately, it’s not the most user-friendly option. To master WordPress, you need time and effort – things which you may not have in spades if you’re busy running a business or focusing on other tasks.
But if you’re keen on using WordPress, the good news is there is a very active community of users and developers who can help you should you run into some problems. Plus, you should keep in mind that any website builder is never 100% easy to use. Sooner or later you’ll need to troubleshoot something and picking up a bit of knowledge about the platform you’re using can’t hurt.
7. Secure Your Website
No doubt, design is a huge consideration when building your website. But while you’re scrolling through templates offered by your preferred website builder, you mustn’t forget about security.
Take some time to understand the security features that come with your package. For example, if you’re using Wix, you may come across this article telling you how to turn on your SSL certificate.
If you’re using WordPress, there are plugins you can install to secure your site. Some do the basics such as checking your site for malware, while others are more comprehensive, taking care of database, firewall, login security, and more.
Are You Using the Best Website Builder?
Great! If you’re happy with your website builder platform, you can turn your attention to promoting and monetizing your website.
But if you have concerns about using your website builder or if you have questions about building websites, you’re in luck. We have tons of resources for creating amazing websites. Keep checking back for more!