Whether you hire a pro to create your website or decide to build your own, it helps to know what tools are available. Here are just a few suggestions to get you started.
WordPress
There are two different WordPress platforms available online - Wordpress.com is a fully managed website solution whereas Wordpress.org is an open-source software that you can use to create a fully customized website. The .com version offers more than 350 eye catching and fully customizable drag-and-drop themes, perfect for every type of business. Wordpress.org themes offers more than 30,000 templates. Both platforms are responsible for “powering 27% of the internet today”, and allow users to have their own custom, ad-free domains. Sites are optimized for SEO and social sharing as well as mobile and desktop. Each site includes an automatic backup system and built-in anti-spam tools, plus offers ample storage for documents, videos, and photos. If you want a site that allows you to do it all, WordPress won’t disappoint.
Squarespace.com
Originally launched from a dorm room in Maryland, Squarespace has been used by millions of users to create customizable sites with top-of-the-line security, enterprise-grade infrastructure, and around-the-clock support. Each site comes with free, unlimited hosting, affordable domains, built-in integrations with Adobe Creative Cloud Image Editor for image editing and enhancement, Google Apps, Getty Images, professional email (with the purchase of an annual plan), unlimited product inventory, straightforward merchandising tools, and more. Unlike Wordpress, Squarespace only offers a fully-managed product, which is what allows them to claim such high security standards. But you can still use your own custom domain, which you don’t need to buy through Squarespace - you can use GoDaddy or any other registrar / hosting company.
P.S. Admin Slayer’s site is built on this platform and we think it’s pretty amazing!
Wix.com
You may have seen Wix’s commercial featuring over 500 designer-made templates, and beautiful photo galleries. This web design platform used by 90 million people in 180 countries is feature-rich, with countless options, including widgets and innovative apps. Sites are optimized for mobility, provide secure hosting, offer 24/7 full support and are SEO-friendly. Wix is also the only drag-and-drop building platform with HTML5 capabilities. It’s the perfect platform for beginners with no experience - or interest - in coding.
Weebly.com
Like Wix, Weebly is a great platform if you’re looking for ease of use and just need a basic site with limited flexibility. The site’s powerful drag-and-drop builder guides you through each step from beginning to end without any need for coding. It’s a great platform for managing inventory, tracking orders, and handling taxes. Advanced tools include real time shipping, abandoned cart tracking and handling, coupons, and multiple currencies. Built-in email marketing tools integrate perfectly with your site and store, and SEO tools help increase your organic ranking.
Shopify.com
Designed specifically with e-commerce in mind, Shopify provides users with complete control over the look and feel of their online store, with access to hundreds of attractive themes. You can add new sales channels in seconds, manage unlimited products and inventory, fulfill orders in a single step, and track sales and growth trends. If you’re looking for a platform that handles everything from marketing and payments to secure checkout and shipping, Shopify is a great option.
Whatever platform you decide to use, having a web presence for your business is incredibly important, especially if you don’t have a physical storefront. You know what else is important? A great administrative team backing you up. We may just know where to find one! (Hint: It starts with an “A”.)
P.S. Need free, high-quality images for your website? Try these websites: Unsplash, Pexels, and Pixabay.