How to Create a Website from Scratch

Whether you are going to establish a web presence for your business, launch an impressive campaign for global outreach or just grow your audience, starting a website should, probably, be the very first step to make. What makes it so important?

Having a website is crucial for individuals, freelancers, companies, international corporations, and businesses of any size. It helps you reach the goals you have set, be it sales/profit growth, establishing cooperation with partners/customers from abroad or just a way to attract user attention.

The question is: is it possible to set up a website from scratch, if you are a non-coder? This is where most newbies have their backs against the wall.

With so many evolving website building technologies to choose from, some might find it confusing to pick the best-matching one. The choice will mainly depend on the project complexity, key goals, website type, budget, and technical background.

In this ultimate guide, we will review all of the available website building tools and technologies to highlight the pros and cons, key features, and the benefits they deliver. So, stay tuned!

Is It Hard to Make a Website from Scratch?

Starting a website from scratch is always a challenge. It doesn’t matter what web design expertise you have and what kind of project you need – there is always much planning behind the process of website development.

This is especially true, if you wish to prevent your future project from flawing. Without detailed planning, thorough preparation, clear goals and primary project objectives, your website has all the chances to be doomed to failure.

Thus, you need to have a clear understanding of how your website might help potential users.

What is your buyer persona?

What structure should a project have and what features will it need to serve the goals?

Having answers to these questions is already a good start.

Your web design/programming background also matters a lot. It defines the choice of the website development approach and tools you will use, when working on your project. It also affects the budget you will need to invest in a website as well as the necessity to turn to third-party designers.

To help you with the right website creation strategy, take your time to read the info below.

Building a Website from Zero: Step by Step Guide

Ready to get started with your first website? Consider the step-by-step guide not to overlook crucial stages of the project creation process.

1. Define Your Website Idea

The very first step to launch a website from scratch is to figure out the goal it should serve and the idea it should convey. In other words, ask yourself what objective exactly you intend to achieve with your project.

Do you plan to sell services/products?

Do you wish to showcase your portfolio or business services?

Maybe, you intend to find business partners and build a customer base?

Correct answers to these questions will help find out what type of project you should start. This can be a portfolio or a business website, a landing page, a web store etc.

Timely definition of your website idea and type will, correspondingly, simplify content choice (articles, media files, forum availability, videos/image galleries etc.).

The same is about website sections/pages (about us, price list, product catalogs etc.) and tech capabilities/integrations (live chat, email marketing software, booking/eCommerce tools etc.).

2. Calculate Website Budget

Definition of website budget ranks second after website goal choice. This is no wonder as the sum you are ready to invest in your project will affect multiple factors.

Obviously, the more you spend – the more you will eventually avail. At the same time, your project budget should correspond to your website type.

If you intend to launch a “selling” project like an online store or a business website, you will require more advanced tools, advertising/marketing features, customer interaction integrations etc.

Personal websites meant to showcase your services and special offers usually don’t require high end business extensions and tools. As a result, they do not imply notable financial investments.

Mind that your website budget is not only about website type. It will also include the cost of web design platform you will use, necessity to buy a template, external integrations, hosting/domain name choice, search engine optimization and other must-have elements.

3. Pick a Web Design Tool

The choice of the right web development platform mainly depends on one crucial factor – your coding/web design proficiency.

If you are a newbie and this is your first website creation experience, it definitely makes sense to choose a website builder. These platforms mostly target non-coders, offering a drag-and-drop web editing approach, intuitive web building process, ready-made templates that come with built-in design customization tools and multiple tips/prompts to simplify the task.

Website builders usually come as all-in-one systems that offer built-in hosting/domain name solutions as well as handy integrations, customer support and versatile pricing. You don’t have to bother about website updates.

Modern web design market abounds in custom and specialized niche website builders. This allows choosing the right platform with regard to your project type, budget, objectives and special requirements. Free and premium features are included here as well – just check out the available plans and their terms.

Possess at last baseline web design background? Then you may consider using more complicated and feature-rich platforms – CMS or frameworks – to create a website from scratch.

These systems allow for greater flexibility via code editing. As a result, you have more design customization freedom, but you also need more time, experience and skills.

4. Create Website Layout

Creation of your website layout also depends on the platform you have selected. If this is a CMS, you will need to go for special layout creation services and integrations. There are many of them out there, each meant for particular software.

Basically, you will need to create a sitemap, which is a kind of a blueprint of your project’s architecture. The sitemap should contain all the pages you intend to add and the way they will relate to each other.

If you manage to plan this before you actually proceed to the website creation process, your chances to improve website navigation and ensure smooth browsing experience will notably increase.

The process becomes much simpler, when you use a website builder. You don’t have to create a layout from scratch here as these systems offer an extensive selection of pre-designed templates ready for customization.

What you need is just to browse the design collection, pick a theme to come up to your project specialization and proceed to its customization in the editor.

Many standard website builders come with intuitive WYSIWYG editors that support drag-and-drop functionality. This gives you full control over the editing process, while the preview feature lets you see the result of your work before publishing. If needed, you can make edits and then go live with a ready-made website.

5. Upload Content

Now that you have finished the set up work, it is high time to think about content uploading. It is crucial to keep your project as organized as possible. Thus, hierarchy matters a lot here.

The most important content you would like to be seen first, should be published in the visible area so that users won’t need to scroll the page to find it.

At the same time, you shouldn’t forget that some readers don’t like viewing the entire content and will just skim it to find the required info. To correspond to their needs, you should better add more visual elements that convey the idea and urge for further browsing (interactive CTA buttons, animations, videos, image galleries, infographics and what not).

Pay special attention to header design as well to the overall color scheme. Do not forget about adding new pages. Actually, you can add as many of them as you need. This will depend on the website type and goals you plan to achieve. The most frequently used pages include Homepage, About Us, Contacts, Blog, FAQ, Services/Offers, Testimonials (if any).

Each page should be filled with content – media elements, posts, links, buttons, social media icons and contact forms to mention just a few.

6. Adjust SEO Settings

Quality search engine optimization (SEO) has a direct impact upon your project popularity and indexing by the search engine bots. Each web page should be professionally optimized to rank high. The more exposure they will have, the more chances you have to get prospective clients.

To be able to correctly adjust SEO settings, you won’t go without niche tools and services. If you use CMS, you will have to find and integrate third-party SEO plugins/extensions. They are free and paid. Just browse the web to get them.

In case you work with a website builder, you will be able to independently set up SEO parameters for your project. These include meta tags (titles, keywords, descriptions), integration of stats collection/analytic tools, image optimization, redirects etc.

Most systems take care of this issue, offering detailed guidelines and tutorials to simplify the task. Have any troubles? Then contact the customer support team (if any) for assistance or piece of advice.

7. Connect and Register a Domain Name

The next step is to choose a hosting provider and connect/register a domain name. Again, the process will depend on the web design platform you have selected.

The most part of CMS are open-source systems that don’t include hosting by default. Having created a website, you will need to select a third-party hosting provider and connect a domain name. This will require extra financial/time/skills investments.

Website builders generally come as all-in-one platforms, which means that you won’t need to look for external hosting/domain name solutions. They offer them by default.

Your ready-made website will be hosted on the system servers. You will just need to select/connect a domain name.

Mind that a domain shouldn’t have to be complex. Otherwise, it will be difficult for users to memorize it. As your website address, it should be related to its type, highlighting the niche you specialize in.

The choice of extension is also important. The most popular extensions are .com and .org, but there are actually many of them in domain registrars.

By the way, many website builders offer free domains included in their premium subscriptions. However, you can register your own personalized domain at any cost you can afford.

8. Go Live!

As soon as you are done with the steps listed above, take your time to check your website performance before publishing it.

Most platforms provide an opportunity to see the preview version of your project to let you make the lacking edits on time. Ready to publish? Then click the corresponding button to finally go live with your website and enjoy the result!

9. Website Maintenance

Having a website is not limited to its creation and publication only. Yes, this is an important and complicated process, but further website maintenance frequently takes much more effort and time.

You should realize that your website will require regular content updates, editing, error/bugs fixing and, of course, ongoing optimization for the search engines. This is indispensable, if you wish to reach all the goals you have set in advance.

Likewise, you have to track your project statistics and connect analytic tools to see how popular your website is and what parameters require improvement. This concerns traffic amount and sources, percentage of bounce rate, comparison with competitors, SEO positions and other crucial factors.

Wix – Best Website Builder to Create a Website from Scratch

Product Name:	WIX
Official Website:	wix.com
Complexity:	Very easy
Free Plan:	Unlimited
Premium Plan:	from $22/mo
Founded:	2006
Headquarters:	Israel
In-depth Review	Try It for Free

Wix – is the best website builder, which lets you create a feature-laden website from scratch. The platform has been around for over 16 years, having become the top notch destination for millions of users across the globe. The system works great for the development of different types of projects, irrespective of their complexity level, functionality and special design aspects. What’s more, the system does not require any coding proficiency as it is absolutely intuitive, convenient and easy-to-use for newbies and web design pros.

Main Features

Wix is one of the most recognizable drag-and-drop website builders, which stands out from the crowd due to its extensive set of features. They come up to diverse website development needs. Have a look at the major highlights of the website builder now:

• Intuitive website editor;
• Artificial Intelligence tool and standard Wix Editor ;
• Around 800 professional and mobile-responsive templates;
• Advanced eCommerce and blogging platforms;
• Extensive App Market with free and premium widgets;
• Wix Ascend – professional CRM system.

Pros and Cons

When it comes to website development, Wix makes it possible to choose from two editing options. These are Wix ADI and Standard Editor. The first solution mostly works well for non-techies, who don’t have time or just don’t wish to bother about complex web design nuances. The second alternative is a better pick for proficient designers. The website builder also offers hundreds of ready-made customizable templates, advanced design customization tools, integrated blogging and eCommerce engines, rich App Market with a great selection of integrable widgets and extensions.

Speaking about disadvantages, Wix doesn’t have crucial cons. The interface of the system is somewhat oversaturated with features, widgets and tools, which may be a bit confusing for beginners. The website builder does not let you switch between the templates and there is no code editing option here. Even though, Wix App Market ablounds in widgets, not all of them feature worthy quality. These demerits, however, don’t have a serious impact upon the system’s functionality.

Cost

Wix pricing policy is affordable for everyone. The system has a pretty nice free plan. It never expires and, thus, can be used to test the entire functionality of the platform before upgrading to one of its paid plans.

Website Wix Plans

• Combo ($22/mo) – absence of system ad banners, free hosting and domain connection;
• Unlimited ($27/mo) – 10GB storage space, unlimited bandwidth;
• VIP ($45/mo) – professional logo, first priority support etc.

Business/eCommerce Plans

• Business Basic ($27/mo) – online payment acception;
• Business Unlimited ($32/mo) – eCommerce platform, business development tools, applications for entrepreneurs;
• Business VIP ($59/mo) – unlimited bandwidth and video storage space, complete Wix Suite;
• Enterprise ($500/mo) – end-to-end business solution that provides the highest functionality and maximum amount of tools.

The website builder frequently offers discounts and special offers to boost customer loyalty and encourage new users to join the system. There is also the 14-day money back guarantee in case you are not satisfied with one of the paid plans for some reason.

WordPress – Free Platform (CMS) to Build Any Website

Product Name:	WordPress
Official Website:	wordpress.org
Complexity:	Above average
Free Plan:	Unlimited
Premium Plan:	from $2.95/mo
Founded:	2003
Headquarters:	Worldwide
In-depth Review	Try It for Free

WordPress – is the most popular free CMS in the world that can be used to build any type of website. The system currently boasts over 25 million live websites and many more are under construction. Initially launched as a content-based blogging platform, WordPress has grown into a multi-purpose website building instrument with tons of great features and maximum customization freedom.

Main Features

WordPress provides a broad list of features that make it possible to start different types of websites, including blogs, portfolios, business websites, web stores and more. The multi-purpose nature of the CMS contributes to the functionality of the system, but it also implies the investment of effort/time required to get the most out of the system use. Have a look at the main WordPress features now:

• Open-source nature that grants full access to the project source code;
• Powerful blogging engine;
• Smooth and hassle-free CMS installation that ensures ease-of-use for beginners and web design pros;
• Hundreds of integrable plugins related to various niches;
• 100% freedom of design customization that ensures high end website look and performance.

Pros and Cons

WordPress has distinguished itself as a full-featured Content Management System, which allows for multiple integration capabilities. The system comes with a set of built-in templates, widgets, extensions, apps and plugins, but there are also hundreds of them available out there. The plugins/themes you can pick and integrate into your project tackle various industries, which allows for a truly extensive choice.

As to the disadvantages, the first and the foremost aspect concerns the complexity of the CMS for beginners. The need for plugin/template integration implies the awareness of coding skills. It also takes time and effort to explore and master the platform and its entire feature set. These are not simple tasks for newbies.

Cost

WordPress is absolutely free for download and installation. Having installed the system, you will be able to test its feature set and start simple projects with it to practice and improve your web design skills. As you decide to launch a full-feature project and go live, you won’t go without plugin integration and further website customization. Finally, to publish your project on the web, you will have to pick reliable hosting and connect a domain name. There are many hosting companies to choose from. The best solution, however, is Bluehost – a trusted hosting provider, which is officially recommended by WordPress. When working with Bluehost, you will be offered to pick one of the plans it provides. These include:

• Basic ($2.95/mo) – one website hosting, unlimited traffic and bandwidth, free WordPress updates, free SSL connection, 50GB storage space;
• Plus ($5.95/mo) – unlimited number of hosted websites, unlimited email accounts and domains, unmetered storage space and bandwidth, $200 for advanced marketing options;
• Choice ($5.45/mo) – website backup, anti-spam protection, domain privacy etc.

Whatever subscription you will go for, Bluehost will offer a great bonus – an opportunity to connect and use a free domain name for free during one year. As soon as the term ends, the domain cost will constitute $12-$14 per year.

uKit – Easiest Website Builder for Small Business Website

Product Name:	uKit
Official Website:	ukit.com
Complexity:	Super easy
Free Plan:	14 days trial
Premium Plan:	from $4/mo
Founded:	2015
Headquarters:	Russian Federation
In-depth Review	Try It for Free

uKit – is the easiest website builder for small business websites. This is also one of the most affordable systems one can find in the modern web design market. uKit is full-featured, flexible, convenient, intuitive and simple for all user categories, irrespective of their web design proficiency and expertise. There is no need to possess coding knowledge to start and manage projects with the system – so feature-laden and understandable it is for everyone.

Main Features

uKit has initially positioned itself as a small business website builder, but it is also possible to launch other types of projects with the system. These include blogs, small-to-mid-sized web stores, portfolios, landing pages etc. The website builder comes with a handy drag-and-drop editor that contributes to the ease of use and convenience of the service, while a handy preview option lets you see the result before going online. The major features of the system are listed below:

• Hundreds of responsive industry-specific templates, which are absolutely customizable;
• Stunning ease of use and affordability;
• Extensive widget integration options;
• Free SSL Certificate connection;
• CRM integration;
• Temporary website management access rights.

Pros and Cons

The website builder stands out from the crowd due to its impressive simplicity that does not compromise with functionality. uKit comes with a handy and intuitive WYSIWYG editor that lets you control the web design process. There is also access to lots of responsive and fully-customizable templates, widget integration options and blogging engine. eCommerce feature is realized in two ways – either via Ecwid plugin integration or eCommerce widget customization. Opportunity to grant temporary website access rights to other team members allows for more effective shared website management and customization.

uKit doesn’t have notable disadvantages – it is simple, intuitive and convenient for everyone. However, it somewhat lacks code editing options that could let users get the most out of website customization. What’s more, the 14-day free trial the system comes with is not enough to realize and test the entire functionality of the platform.

Cost

uKit is one of the most affordable and cost-effective website builders. The system doesn’t have a free plan, but it is still possible to test its feature set during the free trial period that extends for 14 days. As soon as you decide to start a feature-laden website with the platform, get ready to upgrade to one of its premium plans:

• Minimal ($4/mo) – over 200 professional templates, backup, unlimited disk storage space and page number, custom domain name connection, 24/7 support, SMS notifications;
• Basic ($8/mo) – no copyright sign, powerful statistics tracking tools, Google Analytics, live chat support, premium designs;
• eCommerce ($9.60/mo) – integrated eCommerce tools, payment/shipping options, acceptance of online payments, shopping cart settings, currency choice;
• Pro ($12/mo) – eCommerce functionality, custom code integration, custom color scheme application etc.

If you decide to keep working with the system, it makes sense to pay for 3, 6, 12 or 24 months with one payment to save the budget. The longer the subscription term is – the bigger the discount will be.

SITE123 – Free and Easy Website Maker from Scratch

Product Name:	SITE123
Official Website:	https://site123.com
Complexity:	Super easy
Free Plan:	Yes
Premium Plan:	From $10.80/mo
Founded:	2015
Headquarters:	Israel
In-depth Review	Try It for Free

SITE123 – is the simplest website maker from scratch, which is free, convenient and understandable for each and every user. The system stands out from the crowd due to its intuitive approach to the website development process. You don’t have to be a programming expert to launch web projects with the system – just follow the guidelines it generates from the start to create any type of website, be it a blog, a personal website, a small business project, a landing page or what not.

Main Features

SITE123 abounds in tools and features applicable to myriads of web design goals and projects. Absence of coding knowledge and web development expertise makes the website builder a worthy pick for non-coders and web design pros. Apart from that, the platform grants access to multiple highlights that are valued by its subscribers. Have a look at some of them now:

• Multilingual support;
• Rich App Market;
• Logo Maker;
• Blogging and eCommerce engines;
• Shared website access rights;
• Free online form builder;
• Social media integration options;
• Customer interaction tools.

Pros and Cons

SITE123 grants access to the extensive collection of templates. All of them are customizable, free and responsive by default. The designs fall into several categories with regard to the niche they refer to. Availability of the multilingual tool makes it possible to create a website in several languages of your choice based on the goals and intentions you have.

To burn your website performance to the new level and to make it full-featured, the platform lets you choose and integrate versatile widgets and extensions. These include Analytics Tools, Social, Forms, Booking, Galleries, Live Chat Support and many more. It also allows for social media and online forms integration, if required. Designing a logo for your website is also a great idea, which can be implemented by means of using an integrated Logo Maker tool.

Speaking about disadvantages, tools and features the website builder offers to its subscribers work best for non-coders yet they may prove to be insufficient for more advanced design customization tasks and for more complex projects. Thus, the system will hardly be a good choice for professional websites.

Cost

The website builder has a completely free subscription. Its feature set is quite limited but it still allows using the plan to test the software and to practice your skills. If you decide to proceed to the development of a more feature-rich and complex website, you can upgrade to one of the following plans:

• Basic ($10.80/mo) – 10 GB of storage space, 5 GB of bandwidth, free domain name connection;
• Advanced ($16.80/mo) – 30 GB of storage space, 15 GB of bandwidth, up to 50 products per month;
• Professional ($22.80/mo) – 90 GB of storage space, 45 GB of bandwidth, 500 products per month;
• Gold ($28.80/mo) – 270 GB of storage space, 135 GB of bandwidth, unlimited products per month.

The plans are quite affordable, making it possible to launch personal and small business projects.

Shopify – All-In-One eCommerce Platform to Sell Online

Product Name:	Shopify
Official Website:	shopify.com
Complexity:	Average
Free Plan:	14 days trial
Premium Plan:	from $21.5/mo
Founded:	2004
Headquarters:	Canada
In-depth Review	Try It for Free

Shopify – is an all-in-one eCommerce platform to sell online with ease and efficacy. The software was initially designed to build online shops from scratch. Thus, it comes with a powerful integrated features set tailored specifically to the needs of web store owners. The software is currently one of the most popular eCommerce solutions in the world, which powers hundreds of feature-laden web stores.

Main Features

Shopify is the top destination to go for, when it comes to starting and managing feature-laden web stores. It has evolved over the years bringing advanced eCommerce functionality such as automated EU VAT calculation, integrated payment methods and shopping cart in addition to some of its other essential options, such as:

• Augmented Reality feature;
• Multilingual support;
• Point of Sale (POS) software for effective online and offline product sales;
• Extensive marketing, product management and web store customization features;
• Integrated Shopify App Market;
• SEO and blogging tools;
• High end integration and synchronization options.

Pros and Cons

Shopify initially stands out from the crowd due to its powerful eCommerce features, which allow starting and managing all types of online stores. The software grants access to myriads of product management, marketing, web store customization and promotion features, multilingual support. It comes with the integrated shopping cart, versatile product gallery creation and modification features. The system lets you synchronize your web store account with external services, marketplaces and accounting software. It also ensures your project safety by means of SSL Certificate connection, high end anti-fraud tools and other safety options.

Among the negative features of the software, it makes sense to mention abundance of complicated eCommerce features, many of which are not that necessary, when it comes to standard web store creation. Instead, they work well for the development of large hypermarkets. The cost of Shopify subscriptions should also be mentioned here as the software is quite an expensive solution.

Cost

Shopify is not a cheap website builder, but its pricing policy comes up to the system’s functionality. The system doesn’t offer any free plans yet it’s possible to test its functionality by using a free 14-day trial. As soon as you decide to launch a feature-laden online store and go live, get ready to upgrade to one of the following plans:

• Basic Shopify ($21.5/mo) – blog connection, 2 staff accounts, fraud analysis, free SSL Certificate, manual order creation, Shopify POS app, abandoned cart recovery, sales channels;
• Shopify ($62/mo) – gift cards, 5 staff accounts, professional reports, 1-5 store locations;
• Advanced Shopify ($266/mo) – advanced report builder, up to 8 store locations, real-time carrier shipping, 15 staff accounts etc.

The software doesn’t set fees for credit card transactions made while using the service. However, get ready to pay more when making credit card payments.

Squarespace – Universal Website Builder for Beginners

Product Name:	Squarespace
Official Website:	squarespace.com
Complexity:	Average
Free Plan:	14-day trial
Premium Plan:	From $14/mo
Founded:	2012
Headquarters:	USA
In-depth Review	Try It for Free

Squarespace – is a universal website builder for beginners and web design professionals. The system is quite easy to use for everyone and it comes with distinctive integrated functionality that makes it stand out from the crowd. The website builder allows creating visually-appealing websites at affordable cost. Coding skills are not a must here, but the service still implies HTML/CSS project editing options to provide better result.

Main Features

Squarespace positions itself as the all-in-one system used to start all types of websites. However, its integrated functionality works best for the development of quality blogs, web stores, portfolios and business websites. Its WYSIWYG editor contributes to the ease of website development, while the advanced page style editor lets you create impressive web page design. The list of the most remarkable Squarespace features is as follows:

• Multiple integrable add-ons and widgets;
• Powerful eCommerce and blogging engines;
• Extensive social integration options;
• Opportunity to launch email marketing campaigns;
• Unfold App – Advanced Storytelling tool;
• Acuity Scheduling Platform;
• Google Maps embedding and integrated Google Analytics;
• SSL Certification;
• Logo Maker.

Pros and Cons

Squarespace is known for its extensive image editing options, abundance of design customization tools and Logo Maker. Availability of responsive customizable templates contributes to the efficacy of the process. The website builder also ensures reliable and powerful customer support options as well as high end marketing tools that contribute to better website promotion. The platform highlights also include the Unfold storytelling tool, Acuity Scheduling integration, powerful eCommerce and blogging support.

As to the demerits of the website builder, it makes sense to mention the cost of eCommerce plans that are a bit expensive for standard users. The Style Editor of the system requires time to be explored and tested as it’s not quite easy to use for beginners. Finally, Squarespace does not offer website preview mode. This is not quite convenient as a user will have to get back to the editing process after the project is published, if there are any bugs that require improvement.

Cost

Squarespace is moderately-priced. There is no absolutely free plan here, but the platform lets you test its features during the 14-day trial, which is free. To launch a feature-laden project with the platform, make sure to upgrade to one of the premium plans the system offers:

• Personal ($14/mo) – 20 website pages. 3% transaction fee, free custom domain connection etc.;
• Business ($23/mo) – unlimited number of web pages, 2% sales transaction fee, AdWords credit etc.;
• Basic Commerce ($27/mo) – integrated accounting feature, unlimited product number, bandwidth and disk storage space etc.;
• Advanced Commerce ($49/mo) – real time carrier shipping, label printing, abandoned checkout autorecovery etc.

Whatever premium plan you will go for, it includes free hosting and domain name. In case you already own a domain, the system lets you appoint it to your new Squarespace-based website.

Weebly – Simple Way to Create a Website from Scratch

Product Name:	Weebly
Official Website:	weebly.com
Complexity:	Average
Free Plan:	Yes
Premium Plan:	From $6/mo
Founded:	2006
Headquarters:	USA
In-depth Review	Try It for Free

Weebly – is one of simple ways to create a website from scratch. The website builder makes it possible to start great-looking projects without a single line of code. Its integrated drag-and-drop editor combined with advanced functionality allows for creative freedom that eventually ensures quality result.

Main Features

Weebly was initially created for blogging purposes, but it later acquired a strong eCommerce focus. It’s also possible to start other types of projects with the service without any coding proficiency and web design background at all. Among the main highlights of the website builder, the following ones should be the first to mention:

• Powerful eCommerce and blogging specialization;
• Code embedding allowed;
• Advanced marketing and promotion tools (Weebly Promote);
• Integrated video hosting and impressive image editing options;
• IFTTT integration;
• Weebly for Education;
• App Center and Form Builder.

Pros and Cons

Weebly is quite easy to use both for non-techies and web design experts. The system lets you create a personalized website URL for free and it grants access to the extensive library of responsive customizable templates. Special attention should be devoted to its eCommerce functionality, which enables users start and manage full-featured online stores. Other Weebly highlights include Weebly for Education and Weebly Campus Edition features that encompass multiple features and tools for the development of education-focused websites.

Weebly demerits are not that numerous. One of the major nuances is absence of website backup feature that does not let users automatically save website versions during the process of its development. Likewise, the system does not imply undo/redo edits required to cancel some of the unneeded web design steps. As an eCommerce-focused system, Weebly charges the 3% transaction fee for all the sales made within the system.

Cost

Weebly has transparent pricing policy available for the development of all types of web projects, including eCommerce websites. There is a free plan, which implies the availability of 500MB of disk storage space, subdomain connection, SEO tools, discount coupons, integrated shopping cart options, SSL Certificate, access to inventory management tools for the enhanced project security. To get access to the advanced set of features, you’ll need to upgrade to one of the paid subscriptions:

• Personal ($6/mo) – connected custom domain pop-up notifications, shipping/tax calculator etc.;
• Professional ($12/mo) – branded professional portfolio/small business website, free domain connection, password protection, absence of the system ad banners, advanced website analytics;
• Performance Plan ($26/mo) – used for scalable business projects with enhanced eCommerce options, availability of payment gateway integration, shopping cart abandonment tools, product reviews, priority customer support etc.

Weebly plans make it possible to connect a domain name for $19, provide access to Google Ads service with a $100 bonus and make it possible to use live chat, forum community and email support.

Webflow – Professional Website Builder Software

Product Name:	Webflow
Official Website:	webflow.com
Complexity:	Complex
Free Plan:	Yes
Premium Plan:	From $12/mo
Founded:	2013
Headquarters:	USA
In-depth Review	Try It for Free

Webflow – is one of the best website builder software, which is also known for its professional web design approach and high complexity level as compared to the majority of standard website builders. To some extent, the platform can be compared to CMS in terms of flexibility and complexity of design customization.

Main Features

Webflow functionality is far beyond the average. It requires coding awareness, web design background and readiness to invest time, effort and knowledge to make a project a success. Thus, the website builder better comes up to the needs of proficient website developers, who intend to express their creativity by starting high end projects. The list of its distinctive features includes:

• Styles and classes management options;
• Advanced HTML/CSS editing;
• Designer and Editor working modes;
• Opportunity to create dynamic content;
• Powerful eCommerce engine;
• Lightbox Gallery, After Effects and Lottie integration;
• Integrated CMS collections;
• Over 200 of professional free and paid templates.

Pros and Cons

Webflow makes it possible to pick and customize stunning templates, which are responsive and versatile to let users express their creativity. The system allows integrating multiple forms, databases and elements to provide interesting realization of the web design approach. It boasts stunning CMS collections with multiple content options. While working on your website development, it is possible to use two area modes, namely designer and editor. This lets you control all the stages of website development in progress. Finally, Webflow comes with a powerful and competitive eCommerce engine that allows creating online stores of diverse sizes and performance.

Considering the system’s complexity and abundance of obscure features, it’s obvious that Webflow is not the best pick for newbies. There is much to be mastered here, while the very process of website development implies programming proficiency. What’s more, Webflow is quite a costly website builder, especially for those, who don’t plan to start several projects with it.

Cost

Webflow has one of the most extensive and versatile pricing solutions in the web design market. The system has a free plan that extends for the unlimited period of time yet comes with a set of limitations that do not let you get the most out of the website design process. As to the premium plans, the diversity of options is really impressive here. Have a look at Webflow pricing table now.

Site Plans include Website and eCommerce plans. Website Plans are as follows:

• Basic ($12/mo) – CDN included, domain connection, 500 online form submissions, free SSL certificate;
• CMS ($16/mo) – 1000 online form submissions, limited CMS API, 3 content editors, 2000 CMS items, site search;
• Business ($36/mo) – unlimited number of online form submissions, advanced global CDN, full CMS API, 10 content editors etc.

eCommerce plans, in their turn, include:

• Standard ($29) – all features of the CMS plan plus custom checkout and shopping cart, integrated CMS for blogs, email customization, 2% transaction fee;
• Plus ($74) – all features of the Business plan plus zero transaction fee, unbranded emails, 10 staff accounts.
• Advanced ($212) – all features of the Business plan plus 15 staff accounts, unlimited yearly sales volumes and more.

Account plans are also divided into two subscription types. These are Individual and Team plans. Individual plans encompass:

• Free ($0) – 2 projects, client billing, free staging;
• Lite ($16) – 10 projects, code export, enhanced staging, unlimited project transfers;
• Pro ($35) – White Labeling, unlimited projects, site password protection.

As to the Team Plans, these are as follows:

• Team ($35 per person) – all features of the Pro plan plus client billing, enhanced staging ,code export, team dashboard etc.;
• Enterprise (the cost is discussed with Webflow experts individually) – all features of the Team plan plus White Labeling, unlimited projects, site password protection, team dashboard etc.

Webflow additionally offers advanced client billing opportunity for freelancers, who plan to use the website builder for free with regard to their web design requirements.

Mobirise – Free Offline Website Building Program

Product Name:	Mobirise
Official Website:	mobirise.com
Complexity:	Easy
Free Plan:	Yes
Premium Plan:	Paid templates and extensions
Founded:	2015
Headquarters:	The Netherlands
In-depth Review	Try It for Free

Mobirise – is a free website building software, which requires download and installation to be used for website development and customization. The offline platform grants access to a powerful integrated toolset, which is mostly geared towards the needs of non-coders. At the same time, the functionality of the system is enough to cater to the requirements of web design pros. The website builder is quite easy to use, although it encompasses quite powerful design customization options.

Main Features

Mobirise works great for the development of different project types – both for personal and commercial use. The system is stunningly easy to use for everyone irrespective of the available web design skills and expertise. While working with Mobirise, you can set up and manage high end portfolios, blogs, landing pages, small business websites, promo pages and what not. The list of the system highlights is quite extensive and includes the following features:

• Integrable extensions;
• Bootstrap builder;
• Hundreds of content blocks for website layout development;
• Code-free nature;
• AMP website builder;
• Integrated form and pop-up builders;
• Blogging and eCommerce;
• GDPR compliance;
• Mobirise extensions;
• Quality and convenient code editor.

Pros and Cons

Mobirise comes with an integrated AMP website builder, which allows enhancing the availability, load speed and performance of websites when browsed on mobile devices. Display options are also more versatile here. The offline website builder also grants access to hundreds of content blocks and extensions, proper arrangement of which lets you create individual project layout. What’s more, Mobirise users have an opportunity to integrate custom extensions, including image sliders, Google Analytics, Twitter Feed, social accounts, shopping cart, YouTube, Vimeo, Soundcloud and more.

When it comes to demerits, Mobirise doesn’t have many of them. As an offline software, it requires hosting integration. This may pose a problem to inexperienced system subscribers. This is also the reason for keeping your website files on your computer, which is required for further project updates.

Cost

Mobirise is a free system for all user categories. You can install and download the software at no cost, although creation of complex projects will certainly imply extra integrations and hosting choice. The cost of extensions varies with regard to their type and implication. Generally, it starts at $39 per one app.

The same is about website templates. There are multiple pre-designed themes out there, the cost of which also starts at $49. Each theme comes with a demo version, which lets you check out the way it looks before making the payment. Hosting/domain choice requires extra financial expenditures. This depends on the provider and plan you will go for. Currently, the most cost-effective solution is Bluehost with its cheapest plan being available at $2.95/mo.

Website Building Methods Explained

Before we dive deep into the building methods, we need to figure out what a website actually is. According to the latest stats, over 1.99 billion sites are available on the global web in 2022. Users may come across an endless variety of online projects divided into categories depending on their type, technology, functionality, and other criteria.

source: https://www.internetlivestats.com/total-number-of-websites/

However, they all have one thing in common. Each website comes as a set of globally accessible web pages that are united under the single domain name. The main purpose is to let individuals or groups of users establish their web presence by means of creating and publishing content, web pages or sections that are hosted on a single server.

A web page may be available in two different view types:

1. The first one is the way users see the page when they visit your website (a rendered view).
2. The second one takes the user behind the curtains and displays the source code. It might be previewed with the help of a text editor, for example, Notepad.

In other words, a website is the combination of the markup code and the content including media files, texts, design, elements, widgets, etc. All sites might be divided into two major categories: static and dynamic.

What is a Static Website?

The term “static” means that this website type is available in the form of a static HTML document that represents necessary content. Each document is hosted on the web server with its own unique URL. The page looks the same to the visitor as on the server.

The key feature is that a website owner needs to handle the development process manually every time he or she wants to make changes or modify the pages. Such approach requires deep coding and programming knowledge.

What is a Dynamic Website?

This website type differs from status, as the web server automatically generates the project every time a new visitor is trying to access it. In other words, a user does not need to handle on-page changes or modifications manually. He or she gets access to pre-designed website layouts or templates that already include relevant features, elements or even content.

Dynamic websites are more popular with non-technicians and newbies, as they do not require much of learning curve and deliver enough flexibility combined with ease of use.

To get started with the new website from scratch you need to make up your mind regarding the project type. The choice will depend on the technologies you are going to use for the building process. You should consider several crucial facts before picking the instrument. Those factors include the website type and size, project structure and complexity, the approximate amount of pages and content volume, etc.

We have stressed out 4 major instruments and technologies to build a website from scratch. They are as follows:

1. Self-coded HTML-based sites.
2. All-in-One Website Builders.
3. CMS-based projects.
4. Frameworks for creating sites.

Let’s see, which one will turn out to be the ultimate solution to meet your particular project goals.

#1.Self-Coded HTML Websites

This method is a better option for user craving for maximum customization and web design freedom. Self-coded websites mainly refer to the static type. The key advantage is that you are actually the one to write the HTML page source code or even design the CMS of your own to manage the content.

The bad news is that the process is extremely challenging in terms of technical skills. You need to be an expert in coding and programming. Otherwise, the project will never work out. Those who does not have such skills, opt for outsourcing web development teams or freelancers, which is hardly the best alternative considering website building costs, timeframes, and other aspects. A few companies may really afford to outsource.

If you decide to complete the building process yourself, you will need to create each and every new page or section from scratch manually. Even if you need to build the same structure for the new page, prepare to copy and paste the source code from the initial one. In other words, the slightest modification or update calls for good technical skills and plenty of time.

The entire process seems to be pretty simple from the start:

1. Get an HTML or text editor.
2. Open a new page.
3. Copy and paste the code from the editor.
4. Save the changes.

Programming is the key challenge here. You will need to write a new piece of code for every new button, element, widget or feature you want to see on the website. If the project has numerous pages with contact forms, calendars, user acquisition tools or other functions, it may take you years to build a website from scratch.

Even if you do everything right, no one will ever guarantee smooth website operation as well as proper content management especially if you design the CMS platform of your own. Moreover, you will need to take care of the hosting for your website. As a rule, self-coded websites are not very demanding in terms of server resources. On the other hand, you will still need to register a domain name separately.

HTML Website Building Costs: the cost will depend on whether you plan to code everything yourself or opt for outsourcing or custom web development teams. If you prefer someone to do the job for you, the price will also vary depending on project complexity, structure, features you need to implement. Moreover, you will need to pay for every new update. The final price may range from $5,000-$10,000 for a simple website up to $25,000-$3,000 for a digital store.

#2. Website Builders

Website builders were designed to make the building process as easy as possible. They appeared to be the only way for newbies to establish their web representation with no technical skills. Moreover, new software has proved to be a faster and sometimes cheaper way to get started with the new online project. We have highlighted some key features that have made website builders so popular with users globally.

Ease of Use

The first and foremost advantage of website builders is the ease of use. As we have already mentioned, they do not require technical skills in the majority of cases. Most platforms offer an intuitive editor with a so-called drag-and-drop functionality. It makes the editing and customization process super easy. It usually consists of several simple steps:

1. Get a ready-made layout or template.
2. Redesign the existing structure by moving objects, on-page blocks or elements.
3. Create a new structure from the blank by adding new elements from the list provided.
4. Customize the page using advanced settings to resize, rearrange or re-style the existing layout.

All the above-mentioned steps can be made with a couple of clicks thanks to the WYSIWYG technology. It is the same as playing with pre-designed LEGO blocks. The process of content management and publishing is also very fast.

Moreover, modern website builders follow the latest technology trends and implement AI and AR-based instruments to let users build sites in minutes. Some biggest industry names use artificial intelligence that actually builds a site for the user using info provided (website type, niche, required features, etc.). In other words, you get a ready-to-use website with relevant content, widgets, and integrated apps.

All-in-One Package

Apart from self-coded sites, website builders are not just site constructors. They come as a full-cycle kit not only to build but also host your new sites. Moreover, users get a free domain in most of the cases. In other words, you may handle all your web assets from a single platform with no need to take care of them separately. You pay for the plan and get everything you need in the pack.

The same thing is with features. As a rule, users get full access to all features depending on the hand they buy. The feature set consists of free templates for different website types, integrated security means, free apps, custom support, etc.

Flexibility and Control

Website builders let users handle the process from anywhere. All you need is the device connected to the internet. Sign in within seconds and get full access to all the building tools. Some platforms come with mobile versions and apps to make it easy for users to edit websites on the go.

Although such software does not deliver as much design and customization freedom as self-coded sites, you may still benefit from responsive layouts that work well on different devices, opt for advanced settings to customize the pages, etc. Some well-known website builders have advanced editors and developer’s access for experienced users who still want to create some of the features on their own.

Some users might not like the fact that if they ever opt for a website builder they are likely to stick to it. A few platforms really have the website import/export feature. On the other hand, would you really need to switch the platform considering the above-mentioned features? If yes, there are some website migration alternatives available.

Website building costs: most platforms offer plans for any budget. The average price for a fully-featured site with a domain, hosting, and set of extra tools is somewhere around $15-$20 per month (sometimes even cheaper).

#3. CMS-based Websites

Our next website building method combines several technologies. CMS or content management system is the key feature of the method. It must be installed on the webserver letting users manage or modify content without “touching” the website template itself.

The ease of use depends on the approach you implement when building websites from scratch:

• Simple Editing – with this approach, you may use the CMS platform to add or edit content, upload media files, images, etc. The system ensures some baseline customization features like enabling third-party apps, integrations, and plugins. Such an approach does not require special coding skills. All you need is to download the CMS platform, install the template, and edit content to go live with the website.
• Advanced Editing – as we have mentioned before, CMS-based technology combines various website building methods. Here you actually have full access to the template’s source code with the ability to edit it or modify in accordance with your needs. Users are free to implement their own web design, create new functions or features.

The first approach is good for newbies with no technical skills. We may come across thousands of successful projects built with some of the most popular CMS platforms in the world such as WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, and more.

On the other hand, the second one will work out only in case of deep knowledge of HTML, PHP or CSS. Moreover, such projects call for constant supervision, as you will have to take care of plugin updates and template updates, backups, etc. At some point, you may still need a decent level of programming skills.

Let’s have a look at some key features that refer to CMS-based website building technologies.

Manual Control

When opting for this particular technology, get ready to handle all the operations manually. For example, a user is the only one responsible for registering a domain as well as finding a suitable hosting for the website. Unlike website builders, CMS does not come as an all-in-one solution.

On the other hand, some reputable hosting providers like Bluehost offer CMS-optimized packages for various platforms with seamless integration, automated updates, and a full set of extra features to put an ease on the building process.

Flexibility

The good news is that you may implement literally any design idea, while CMS provides full access to the mockup code editor. It is possible to make some slight modifications even without deep programming knowledge. For huge tasks, some learning curve is necessary.

With CMS technologies, users get endless customization features in terms of website functionality. Thousands of plugins are available for download and activation. You may find add-ons for any project type form payment method integration and analytics to SEO boosters, marketing tools, and more. However, you need to be ready to handle the setup and installation on your own as well as proceed with regular plugin updates manually.

Website building cost: the CMS itself is free. You only need to pay for a domain and hosting (about $5 per month). Sometimes you may need to pay for premium plugins, templates, and third-party service premium accounts.

#4. Web Design Frameworks

A framework is actually a ready-made template. This is why some users are often misled thinking that using frameworks is super easy. Well, it is not. They are designed to let experienced designers and web developers stay focused on creating unique website functionality rather than programming common features that can be met elsewhere.

In other words, you actually get a website blueprint without the content management system where you need to do intensive coding in order to bring your idea to life. In most cases, frameworks do not even have typical dashboards or control panels.

So, what makes them so popular with users?

Open Source Platforms

Most frameworks are available as open-source mockups. It means that you may easily access, edit, change or modify the template code. Moreover, users may find different frameworks available in various programming languages to pick the best-matching variant.

Flexibility

Despite the fact, frameworks require some coding; they are more efficient if compared to self-coded sites. Some templates come with already built-in functions. For example, you may get a template with an integrated system for users’ comments in your blog or connected image galleries for your portfolio. At the same time, frameworks make it easier to communicate with databases as well as integrate third-party services.

Security

Before the framework is deployed, developers proceed with AB testing to ensure its smooth operation. It ensures stable website running although. The bad news here is that framework-based sites are generally slower. They will hardly be a good idea for a growing business that requires complex website structure with tons of media files and content to be uploaded further.

Website building cost: frameworks may come in various packages and plans with the monthly price somewhere between $50 and $1,5000 per month for enormous online projects.

Website Building Methods Explained

Have a look at the table below, to sum up, all the info about website building methods and technologies we have discussed.

FAQ

Defining the website type and the needed features is crucial before getting started. However, there are some other fundamental issues to look into. They include various issues to consider, as they may also determine the future project success. Here are some most frequently asked questions when budding a website from scratch.

The Bottom Line

Users have a wide option of methods and technologies that let them build a website from scratch. All you need is to choose the most suitable technology depending on your needs, technical backgrounds, and expectations. It is very important to set clear goals and define the website type before you dive deep in the process of creation. Moreover, you should clearly understand your own abilities not to have your back against the wall.

Beginners should opt for website builders with a full pack of features in one platform. Such web building technologies have everything you need to deal with the site of any type and zero learning curve. A bit more advanced users would appreciate the customization freedom delivered by CMS paired with trusted hosting. Experienced programmers and coders would appreciate the ability to design each and every feature on their own.

Whatever you choose, start with a briefing, compare and contrast various methodologies and opt for the most trusted and reputable one to ensure project stability and success.