What Makes a Good Website Builder? 7 Must Have Features

Choosing the right website builder can be confusing and overwhelming, especially with so many popular platforms like Wix, Shopify, Website World and Squarespace all competing for your attention. With each platform offering what looks to be similar features, it is important that you choose one which delivers on achieving your business goals. Here are 7 essential features a great website builder should offer, and why.

7 Must Have Website Builder Features 

We've made a list of 7 must have features to help you choose the best website builder for your business:

1. eCommerce Functionality -  a good website builder will also include powerful eCommerce features including shopping cart, inventory management, POS, payment gateways and product pages. Website World meets those requirements, and also offers rural delivery detection and address verification, no transaction fees payment options, and up to 8 trade pricing options for B2B or VIP customers. Website World is one of the few website builders that do not charge users transaction fees when orders are placed through their website, unlike Shopify, Wix and Squarespace who do charge transaction fees. 
2. Built-in SEO Tools - in-built search engine optimisation tools are essential for a website builder. These SEO tools should include customisable meta title tags, meta descriptions, image alt tags, URLs or filenames and keyword identification, all of which Website World provides in its website builder.
3. Drag and Drop Editor - an easy to use drag-and-drop editor gives you the ability to design a website without needing to know about or use any code. Website World's drag-and-drop editor is easy to use and lets you add, style and rearrange key elements such as images, headings, videos, text blocks, buttons and tables.
4. Responsive, Mobile-Friendly Templates - a website builder needs to provide users with professionally designed responsive and mobile-friendly templates. These templates need to automatically display pages correctly regardless of the device screen size. 
5. Fast, Reliable Website Hosting - a website requires fast, reliable and secure website hosting. The web hosting needs to have a high uptime, allowing your website to be seen by anyone at all times.  
6. Domain Hosting - your chosen website builder needs to be able to allow domain purchases and renewals within its CMS, as Website World does. Some website builders restrict domain name suffixes and won't let you purchase a .co.nz domain name, including Wix and Shopify. This means if you want a .co.nz domain name suffix, you must purchase and host it elsewhere, redirecting it to Shopify or Wix. 
7. Support and Learning Resources - a great website builder needs to have a fountain of knowledge available for users to access. This includes help guides, videos, with access to local email and phone support. Website World offers this, as they are based in New Zealand. 

Comparing Features of Top Website Builders

To help in the decision making process of choosing the right website builder for your business, we have put together a table which compares the must have features from top website builders, including Website World, Shopify, Wix and Squarespace. 

The best way to choose the most suitable website builder to meet your needs is through a free trial. The best website builder should allow free trials without needing to give credit card details, provide access to all of the available platform features and give you access to support when required.  

Now is the time to start assessing website builders, and we'd love to give you the opportunity to trial ours! Simply sign up and you'll get a 30 day free trial, with the ability to extend the trial if required!

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