What is an online website builder?

Tool An online website builder, also known as a website builder, an online CMS or a web builder, is a special kind of content management system (CMS).

While traditional content management systems were designed to administer large websites, online website builders were designed with smaller website projects in mind.

This means the user doesn't require any special programming skills, or other technical knowledge such as how to install a CMS, apply a template or create a database.

Features of an online website builder

It's possible to create a fully functional web presence with an online website builder. Updating your website's text or adding new articles, images or multimedia content such as video or audio is also easy via a user-friendly interface.

See how it works in our video:

Modern online website builders follow the key CMS principle of maintaining strict separation between content and design. The advantage of this is that websites designed in this way are more easily indexed by search engines. It also means that making changes to the website's design or templates is easy, and the content doesn't need to be modified in the process.

Who are online website builders for?

These systems are particularly suited to individuals, students, freelancers, photographers, small businesses and start-ups.

Characteristics of online website builders

Some website builders are hosted by a provider, while others are installed as software on your computer's hard drive. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages.

For example, a locally installed website builder may run faster, while a hosted version can be accessed at any time from any computer. In addition, you don't have to worry about software updates, as the provider runs these in the background. Lately, the trend has been more towards web-based systems.

Which are the best providers of online website builders?

The demand for easy-to-use website builders has increased with the explosion of Web 2.0 platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and other social communities. This has enabled content consumers to become content creators too.

Providers vary widely in the quality and functionality offered. Jimdo and Weebly are widely recognized as the best providers for beginners, while Squarespace is best suited to advanced users requiring more advanced features.

> Click here to read detailed reviews of the best website builders

Icons: Smashingmagazine

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