Using a website builder to create your company’s web presence offers several advantages. Not only do these tools help business owners get online faster than they will by learning to code themselves, they also let entrepreneurs and other would-be webmasters wield web design practices without the years of schooling needed otherwise.

So basically, you get online faster, and you look better when you do. That sounds great, but what’s the catch?

Because website builders have become so popular in recent years, it can be difficult to find the best website builder for your needs. There are so many choices on the market – not to mention so many with overlapping features – that it can be tough to tell which website builder will help you create the kind of site you want.

While we are, of course, partial to iPage’s WebsiteBuilder for its drag-and-drop interface and 100+ mobile-responsive templates, we also know that it’s important all webmasters do their own research and pick the best tool for their needs. Ask yourself the following questions if you want to find the best website builder for you:

How much help do I need?

Do you know basic HTML, but not the CSS or Javascript so many sites today rely on? Or are you a total newbie when it comes to coding?

Understanding where you’ll need help – and where you can carry the project on your own – will help you find the best online website builder for your purposes. If you can, look for options that are either entirely free or that offer free trials. It’s okay to experiment with a few to shorten the learning curve, and to get a better idea of what you need out of a website builder tool.

What kind of site am I trying to build?

The website builder you choose might depend on the kind of site you’re trying to create. Do you need the best website builder for small business? The best ecommerce website builder? Or the best blogging platform?

If you’re able to test several options, you may find that some of them don’t offer the features you need to create the site you want. As an example, if you plan to sell on your site, either a Paypal integration or a more fully-featured e-commerce shopping cart is a must.

What are people saying about the website builders I’m considering?

Always – with any purchase you make online – check the reviews. Do some investigative Googling. Once you’ve narrowed your list down to a few options, use your search engine to see if you can find reviews for them on independent websites.

Take reviews with a grain of salt, looking for general trends more than specific pieces of feedback. Some reviews may be compensated, while others may be unfair in their criticism. After browsing several resources, though, you should have a better idea of whether or not the tool will meet your needs.

What’s my total cost?

Of course, you can’t forget about cost. Add up the total not just of the website builder itself, but of any additional tools or plugins you’ll need to make it work.

If you’ve made it this far and iPage is still on your list, we’d love to chat. Contact us today for more info on our website builder tool.

Image Source: Free Great Picture