Website Builder Software

Website builder software, also known as website creation software, is the name given to software solutions designed to assist users with the creation of websites and web pages. Crucially, this website creation process should be possible without users needing advanced technical skills and coding knowledge. The basic concept behind most solutions of this kind is to combine real-time editing, drag-and-drop interactivity, built-in web page templates, and various other user-friendly design tools so that users can quickly and easily make professional websites.

In addition to the simple ability to create web pages and websites, the best website builder software will include social media integration tools and options for enhancing search engine optimisation (SEO) efforts. Furthermore, these solutions will allow for the creation of some advanced website components—such as credit card processing options and using customised forms, which can be used to obtain information from website visitors.

This software may be used by a wide range of users, including individuals who are making personal websites or businesses looking to establish corporate websites. In addition to making it significantly easier to create a website, the software can help to reduce the amount of time between conceiving a website idea, creating it, and the eventual launch of the live site. Website builder software shares many similarities with blog software and landing page software. It can also often be utilised alongside similar tools on the market, like eCommerce software.

While different website builder programs will contain several features— and this can impact the precise ways that these programs can be used—there are also some primary features that are included within the majority of high-quality software solutions in this category, often described as defining or core features. Therefore, as a general rule, users who invest in this software will be able to carry out the following actions:

• Utilise built-in website and web page templates, making it quicker to create professional-looking content
• Create, edit, update or add website content through the use of a user-friendly, real-time visual editor
• Import or export information to or from a website, including video files, audio files, images, and other data
• Integrate a website with social media platforms and take advantage of SEO techniques to boost visibility

What is website builder software?

Website builder software is the name given to software designed to assist users with creating websites and web pages, even if the user does not possess advanced coding skills or web design expertise. Otherwise known as website creation software or website design software, these solutions are commonly utilised by individual users, businesses, and other organisations that need to create, upload, activate, and manage a website.

The primary purpose of website builder software is to allow users to quickly and easily create a professional-quality website and then continually manage it. This is usually achieved through a combination of pre-built templates and a real-time visual editor, which allows users to add, edit, and remove website content as they see fit. Moreover, the software will typically allow users to import and export files and data, such as images and audio or video content.

Aside from its primary use, this software package can also help users optimise their website and its overall performance. This can be achieved through integration with social media platforms or using search engine optimisation (SEO) techniques, which can help to improve overall website visibility and attract more website visitors. This software can be used to build online stores and provide payment processing capabilities.

What are the benefits of website builder software?

The benefits of website builder software are related to its capacity to make the website design more accessible to people, regardless of whether or not they possess technical skills and expert knowledge in this area. Ultimately, this makes it easier for individuals and businesses to create and maintain a high-quality website. Nevertheless, it is crucial to explore some of the specific benefits associated with the software, and these are outlined below:

• Make website design easier: The single biggest benefit associated with a website builder program is the ability to make websites and web pages much more convenient. When using an application of this kind, professional and fully functional websites can be created by individuals who do not possess the necessary skills of web design, programming or coding that would typically be required. These websites can include text, images, video content, social media buttons, landing pages, product pages, eCommerce options, sign-up forms, etc.
• Improve design speeds: While the ease of website design is a major advantage associated with using dedicated website design software, these applications can also make the process much faster. This means that the time taken from coming up with a website idea to creating the individual web pages, and then publishing the website to the internet will be significantly shorter than it would be if advanced coding skills were needed. This is especially apparent when the pre-built templates and real-time visual editor are utilised. Such improved efficiency also extends to efforts to add to, edit, or otherwise maintain a website after it goes live.
• Boost website management accessibility: Aside from making it easier to create and manage a website, software in this category can also make the management of a website more accessible. Meaning that a wider range of trusted individuals will be able to add content to a website, remove content from a website, or otherwise make changes. Training within a business can also be made easier because teaching individual employees to use website builder software effectively is significantly easier than teaching them advanced coding or advanced web design skills.
• Optimise website performance: Another benefit associated with the effective use of website builder applications relates to the potential these programs have for optimising the performance of a website. Aesthetically pleasing web pages and fully functional links, buttons and media content are less likely to cause users to bounce off of them. Meanwhile, some solutions will also provide access to website performance data, allowing users to see how their pages are performing and where possible issues could exist. Furthermore, many solutions include built-in SEO tools, with options to provide alt text for images, alongside the ability to include keywords in strategic places within website content. The software can also alert users if there are issues with a page which could affect rankings and overall performance on search engine results pages.

What are the features of website builder software?

The features of website builder software are focused on providing users with the tools necessary to create and maintain a website and its web pages. Furthermore, these features are intended to allow users to create, edit, and remove website content, without the need for advanced coding skills or broader website design capabilities. Although exact features can vary from one program to the next, the majority of high-quality website builder software solutions will provide the following core features:

• Pre-built templates: Select from a variety of pre-built website and web page templates, rather than building a website entirely from scratch. Templates can offer users a wide range of different page layouts, with some of these layouts being optimised for specific uses, such as eCommerce, personal websites, blogs, news platforms, and corporate websites. In most cases, it will also be quick and easy to switch between different templates, which then makes it simple for users to make adjustments to the appearance of their website. Of course, once a template has been selected, changes can still be made to the content and to aspects of the layout itself. This can include editing text, headings, images, and menu items included within the template, or adding or removing elements. Templates can also be applied to individual pages—or an entire website—depending on the user's needs.
• Real-time editing: Edit individual pages and a website as a whole using a real-time visual editor. Through this feature, users can see what the website will look like once it has been published to the World Wide Web, and adjustments can be made instantly. High-quality website builder software will allow this editing to be carried out using an entirely visual interface, typically using drag-and-drop functionality. As a result, there is no need to learn HTML, JavaScript, CSS, PHP, or any of the other programming languages that are commonly used within the field of web development. This then makes website creation and website maintenance a much more realistic prospect for many users, and only basic training will be required to reach the required competency level.
• Online store builder: Create and manage an online store or eCommerce website. Typically, software that includes online store functionality will allow users to create pages that display multiple products on one page and individual pages for each of those products. Moreover, there will also be the option to process card payments or payments using digital wallets. The store builder component of a website builder will allow users to create a website that consists solely of an online store, or it can be integrated within a wider website, which may have multiple other functions. Some programs will also provide an option so that users can integrate other third-party software solutions they may be using, with shopping cart software serving as one example.
• Data import/export: Import or export data and content to or from a website. Some examples of data that can be imported or exported include images, audio files, video content, web page layouts, frames, tables, animations, web coding, text, and forms. The ability to import or export this data makes it easier to duplicate content across multiple pages on a website, which can help with visual consistency. This tool can also be crucial for backing up data from a website and can potentially allow users to revert to a previous version of a website.
• Form creation: Making use of form creation tools to create fully customisable web forms can be used to collect information from website visitors or to allow them to submit user-generated content. Forms can be used for a wide range of purposes, with some of the main examples being account sign up forms, mailing list subscription forms, and comments sections. Usually, users will input text into a field, or multiple fields, or select options from drop-down menus, and then submit the information, which is then received by those controlling the website. In some cases, the data uploaded may be published on the website, while in others, the data will be collected by the individual or business and used for other purposes. Forms can be customised to include multiple options, while the appearance of the form page can also be adjusted so that it looks visually appealing.
• Social media integration: Enhance a website by integrating social media tools. These could include adding Facebook 'Like' buttons to content, which can assist with measuring user engagement with content, or embedding Tweets, which can allow businesses to showcase the most recent Twitter posts on their website. Links to accounts on different social media platforms can be provided, helping website visitors to connect to an individual or brand across all channels, Instagram images can be used to include images on a website while also adding content to an Instagram account. In general, social media integration can help make a website more interactive, and it can help repurpose content added to social media sites.
• SEO management: Capitalise on a number of SEO tools to improve a website's performance on search engines like Google and Bing. Most website builder applications with SEO functionality will be able to assess the content and layout of a website and provide feedback, outlining what could be improved to deliver better organic search performance. This may include making intelligent use of keywords, using alt text for images and video content, optimising a website for mobile devices, providing meta descriptions, and including inbound and outbound links within the written content. When SEO management tools are used effectively, a website will rank higher on search engine results pages. In turn, this will boost visibility and help to attract more visitors

Capterra's website builder software category page is quick and easy to sort through the available options based on the features present within those products. This allows businesses and individual buyers to begin their search by focusing only on the options that are going to be suitable. It also eliminates time that would otherwise be wasted exploring options that do not contain crucial features.

What should be considered when purchasing website builder software?

When purchasing website builder software, many different factors need to be considered. After all, buyers need to acquire the software solution best suited to their specific needs, but it is not always simple to ascertain precisely what those needs are. An effective way to approach this is to work through a series of questions and come up with answers to them, with some of the most important questions including the following:

• How much does website builder software cost? Buyers need to consider how much the software they acquire will cost, but this means going further than simply comparing the purchase price of different products or the cost of a subscription for cloud-based software options. Instead, it is better to think of the total cost of ownership once other factors have also been considered. These factors can include the cost of training, the cost of accessing help, the cost of any new updates or new versions, setup costs, and more. Beyond this, buyers also need to think in terms of value. It could, after all, be sensible to invest more in a product that has more features, offers a more user-friendly experience, or produces higher-quality web pages and websites.
• What are the features of website builder software? Next, it is important to evaluate the precise features that are on offer within each software solution. However, buyers need to try to identify the best option for their specific needs, rather than simply opting for the software package that has the broadest range of features. After all, some features may be unnecessary, irrelevant, too basic, or too advanced to be used, while other solutions may have a more condensed features list, but with those features, all being useful and well implemented. It can also be beneficial to read user feedback and reviews to determine not only the features that are included but also how easy they are to use and how good the final results are likely to be.
• What level of technical support is available? Even the most user-friendly website maker software is likely to have its complexities. Users may, at times, require technical support. It makes sense for buyers to consider this before making a purchase, especially in business settings, where multiple users may have access to the software, and support may be needed at different times. Technical support can come in many forms, from live support provided by humans to AI-powered chatbots, which can respond intelligently to user questions, to a built-in help feature containing written explanations for common problems.
• Does website builder software offer remote access? Remote accessibility is emerging as one of the most crucial concepts across almost all software categories, as businesses increasingly provide employees with remote and hybrid working opportunities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 77% of companies changed some or all of their offerings so that they could be delivered remotely, and 67% of employees stated that they liked working from home, according to a Capterra survey carried out at the height of the pandemic. The success of remote working during the pandemic, improved employee satisfaction provided, and the need to protect against any future events has allowed businesses to prioritise software that can be accessed and used by employees who are working remotely, working in the office, or moving between those two work models.
• What mobile optimisation features are included? More users engage with brands through their mobile devices than ever before, and despite the prevalence of mobile apps, many of these users still prefer to utilise mobile web browsers to visit websites. This makes it essential for web pages and websites to be fully mobile optimised. With this in mind, buyers need to invest in a website builder program that can deliver quick and easy mobile optimisation. High-quality software will also allow users to view their website in both desktop and mobile modes and switch between them effortlessly so that the mobile experience can be fully optimised.

What are the most relevant website builder software trends?

The most relevant website builder software trends should also be factored in before reaching a final purchasing decision. Being aware of trends can help buyers make a more informed software acquisition to try to find a website creation software solution designed with some of the most significant trends in mind, as this will help ensure it remains genuinely useful for longer. Important trends include:

• AI-powered website design: One of the most significant website development trends has been the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) as a design tool. Within website builder software, AI can play a role in speeding up website design or optimising design elements. For instance, artificial intelligence could recommend a pre-built template or a basic website layout based on the type of website that is being made. This would mean that an eCommerce website would have a different layout from a news website or a research-based website. In some cases, AI may play a role in optimising content based on performance and the user's chosen objectives.
• Cloud-based software: In recent years, more software solutions have been offered on a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) basis, utilising cloud technology. There are many benefits to this approach, including greater accessibility, as cloud software can be accessed from a wide range of internet-enabled devices, regardless of where the user is based. Additionally, cloud-based software can automatically save and back up data when added or edited. This can be useful for website creation because multiple users may wish to make changes to pages simultaneously, and these changes can be saved and displayed for all users in real-time. According to 2022 Gartner research, 57.7% of spending on application software by businesses is directed to cloud technologies, and this is expected to increase to almost two-thirds of all spending by 2025.
• Text and voice interfaces: Another significant trend to be aware of relating to website builder software is the increased use of text-based and voice-based user interfaces. Text interfaces primarily take the form of AI-powered chatbots, and these can be used to issue commands or ask questions. Alternatively, voice-based interfaces allow spoken words to be used to control elements of the software in much the same way that a voice assistant on a mobile phone or smart speaker functions. Voice commands can make it easier to use the software in situations where the user is busy with other tasks while using a chatbot can often be more efficient than trying to access help via customer support. Non-standard user interfaces also have the potential to improve accessibility for users with disabilities or any other impairments that may make it difficult to use a more conventional software interface.
• Social media integration: Finally, social media integration is a fundamental part of many websites, and website builder software increasingly needs to take this into account. For example, many websites now feature options to 'Like' a particular page or article via Facebook, while others include embedded Tweets from Twitter users. On corporate websites, it can be advantageous to add links to social media channels so that visitors can engage with the brand across multiple platforms. Meanwhile, websites that allow visitors to create accounts and sign in to access extra features can benefit from the option to allow users to register and log in via their Facebook accounts.