What is a website builder and how does it work? Bryn Glover, July 28, 2023April 2, 2024 Home » Website Builders » What is a website builder and how does it work?Having a high-quality website is crucial for businesses and individuals. However, not everyone has the technical skill or resources needed to develop a website from scratch. This is where a website builder can come into use.A website builder is a user-friendly tool that can empower people to create and manage their own websites without the need for development expertise. They typically offer drag-and-drop functionality and easy-to-use customisation tools to help make your site as attractive and engaging as possible.In this article, we’ll dive into the world of website builders, exploring some of their features, benefits and ease of use. Table of Contents Website builder: DefinitionA website builder is a software or online platform that enables users to create a website without the need to write code.Typically, web builders provide a user-friendly experience with drag-and-drop functionality and customisation tools. Normally, they also offer pre-designed templates that can be edited and updated to match your needs.You can see screenshots of two popular website builders – Wix and GoDaddy – here. In each image, you get an idea of the ease of use that forms a core part of the website builder experience. Wix website builder GoDaddy website builder Web builders aim to simplify the web development and creation process, making them accessible to individuals without development experience. With web builders, you do not need to understand programming languages, such as HTML, CSS or Javascript.Website builder featuresWebsite builders offer a range of features. In the sections below, we’ve provided a little information about the ones that are normally on offer.Drag-and-drop editingThe hallmark feature of most website builders is their easy-to-use drag-and-drop system.Users can select elements, such as text, images, videos, and forms and drag them onto the webpage. You will be able to customise their placement and format to make sure they appear exactly as you want on the page.The drag-and-drop approach to web design allows individuals and businesses to arrange and customise their websites effortlessly. Jimdo drag and drop editor Squarespace drag and drop editor Professionally designed templatesWebsite builders offer a range of high-quality templates that serve as a starting point for website creation.These templates are often categorised by the type of industry or sector you plan to operate in or the purpose of the site you are creating.Website builder templates can be easily customised by their users, with colours, fonts and images editable to match whatever goals you might have. GoDaddy template selector Customisation optionsWhile templates can provide a good foundation for your online platform, website builders also offer a range of customisation options to make use of.Users can modify the layout of pages, add or remove sections, embed video or audio content, and integrate various features, such as contact forms, social media icons and e-commerce functions.The customisation options ensure that every website created with a website builder can be unique and tailored to your specific requirements. Wix customisation Jimdo customisation Mobile responsivenessWith so much of the online world now being accessed primarily by mobile devices, responsive design is essential.Website builders will normally be updated automatically by the web builder itself to make sure that mobile viewing is prioritised as needed. This means that the site is easily accessible through whatever device people want to use, whether that’s on a desktop, laptop, mobile phone or tablet.The automatic nature of this mobile responsiveness removed the need for manual code development by you, saving time, money and effort.If you want to know which website builders offer which functions, you can take a look at our best website builder page to compare a range of options side by side. Wix mobile preview Jimdo mobile preview Website builder benefitsAs well as offering a range of features, website builders also offer users a range of benefits.Ease-of-useWebsite builders are designed with ease of use at the front of mind. They’re user-friendly and allow anyone to build a website without technical experience or expertise.The drag-and-drop functionality simplifies the process of setting up a website, meaning they are accessible to everyone. GoDaddy ease of use Cost-effectiveHiring a professional website developer, with the expertise and experience needed to develop a site, can be expensive. This is especially the case for smaller businesses or individuals without the budget for extensive online work.Website builders offer a cost-effective option, as the cost you pay is usually restricted to just the plan you choose. Often, these plans include all of the features you need to be successful in the online world.Time-savingWebsite builders reduce the time needed to develop a website significantly.The availability of pre-designed templates, the option to customise, and the chance to eliminate the coding and development that you might otherwise need mean that web builders are usually faster than alternative options.Depending on the size and scale of their plans, many users or businesses could have a functional, well-designed website up and running within days, or even hours, of getting started. Wix time-saving Squarespace time-saving Continuous web managementWebsite builders not only help users to create websites, but they also help when it comes to managing the website in the long term.Users can easily update content, add new features and make design changes at any time. In all of these changes, you do not need to rely on external support. This means that individuals and businesses can keep their sites efficient and effective, even if they don’t have advanced online experience.What is a website builder? Final thoughtsWebsite builders have changed the way that people create websites, empowering people and businesses to get online without needing technical expertise.With user-friendly features, drag-and-drop functionality and customisable templates, website builders have made the online world accessible to everyone.If you want an accessible site that is efficient and cost-effective, a website builder might be the right choice. Bryn Glover Bryn is the founder and editor of WebsiteJumpStart. He has worked in the digital field for over a decade and was editor for Startups.co.uk - the UK's leading small business website - and for NerdWallet UK before launching WebsiteJumpStart to help people and businesses get online with ease. Best website builders: Compare our top 7 picks A professional website is an essential tool for most modern businesses and organisations, as well as for individuals building their personal brand. Thankfully, with the rising prominence and quality of drag-and-drop style website builders, you no longer need extensive coding knowledge or design skill to create a high-quality online platform. Read More » July 28, 2023 No Comments How to use a website builder: 9 steps to get started A strong online presence is vital for individuals and businesses, which may make it seem daunting when you need to build one. Fortunately, there are a range of website builders available today that offer users the chance to create professional-looking websites without the need for coding or design experience. Whether Read More » July 28, 2023 No Comments How to build a website on GoDaddy A high-quality website is an essential tool for any business or individual that wants a strong online presence. GoDaddy is a renowned web hosting and domain registration service that also offers a user-friendly website builder platform. In short, it is a one-stop shop for anybody looking to get online. Whether Read More » July 28, 2023 No Comments How to use Jimdo website builder: A step-by-step guide Jimdo is a popular website builder that offers an intuitive platform where users can create high-quality websites without the need for advanced coding skills or experience. Whether you’re a small business owner, a blogger, a freelancer or a personal user, in this article we’ll provide some tips on how you Read More » July 28, 2023 No Comments How to build a website on Wix: 7 easy steps to get started Wix is a popular website builder that lets users create websites quickly and easily, without the need for coding knowledge. Like other website builders, Wix provides customers with a range of pre-built templates, functions and features that they can easily add to their sites. Its drag-and-drop customisation also allows you Read More » August 10, 2023 No Comments How to use Squarespace: 9 steps to build a website Squarespace is a popular website builder favoured by businesses and individuals working in the creative industries. Like other builders, its purpose is to help people set up websites easily, without the need for coding experience. Squarespace is perhaps best known for its range of templates, with a focus on high-quality Read More » August 11, 2023 No Comments
Best website builders: Compare our top 7 picks A professional website is an essential tool for most modern businesses and organisations, as well as for individuals building their personal brand. Thankfully, with the rising prominence and quality of drag-and-drop style website builders, you no longer need extensive coding knowledge or design skill to create a high-quality online platform. Read More » July 28, 2023 No Comments
How to use a website builder: 9 steps to get started A strong online presence is vital for individuals and businesses, which may make it seem daunting when you need to build one. Fortunately, there are a range of website builders available today that offer users the chance to create professional-looking websites without the need for coding or design experience. Whether Read More » July 28, 2023 No Comments
How to build a website on GoDaddy A high-quality website is an essential tool for any business or individual that wants a strong online presence. GoDaddy is a renowned web hosting and domain registration service that also offers a user-friendly website builder platform. In short, it is a one-stop shop for anybody looking to get online. Whether Read More » July 28, 2023 No Comments
How to use Jimdo website builder: A step-by-step guide Jimdo is a popular website builder that offers an intuitive platform where users can create high-quality websites without the need for advanced coding skills or experience. Whether you’re a small business owner, a blogger, a freelancer or a personal user, in this article we’ll provide some tips on how you Read More » July 28, 2023 No Comments
How to build a website on Wix: 7 easy steps to get started Wix is a popular website builder that lets users create websites quickly and easily, without the need for coding knowledge. Like other website builders, Wix provides customers with a range of pre-built templates, functions and features that they can easily add to their sites. Its drag-and-drop customisation also allows you Read More » August 10, 2023 No Comments
How to use Squarespace: 9 steps to build a website Squarespace is a popular website builder favoured by businesses and individuals working in the creative industries. Like other builders, its purpose is to help people set up websites easily, without the need for coding experience. Squarespace is perhaps best known for its range of templates, with a focus on high-quality Read More » August 11, 2023 No Comments