There is a lot to consider before launching your first website. One of the first steps is deciding on the route you are going to take to get your website up and running. You can start by comparing the options below.
But, if you've never installed WordPress discover How to install a WordPress blog in 7 steps et How to search, install and activate a WordPress theme on your blog
Then back to why we are here.
1. Launch your website with website builders
Website builders are a type of online software provided by hosting companies that allows you to build and publish a website without manual coding. These include companies such as Wix, Weebly, Site Builder, SquareSpace.
Benefits
Website builders are great for beginners with their user-friendly interfaces. Most feature page templates and drag and drop editors that make setting up a website simple.
Not only that, but many website builders like Wix are free, with upgrades available for just a few dollars a month if you need the extra features.
Drawbacks
Although website builders are easy to use and inexpensive, they come with their limitations. One is that you don't have access to your website code, customization options are limited.
With many free packages, you are limited on the number of pages you can have, the amount of storage space and the domain name you can choose. In many cases, the host reserves the right to display advertisements unless they improve your plan.
Conclusion
Website builders are best for beginners who want to build small, personal websites. Website builders can also work for small businesses depending on their needs.
2. Use a content management system
A content management system (CMS) is a type of software like WordPress, Joomla, or Drupal that allows you to create and control digital content. Although there is a learning curve, they are more versatile than website builders.
WordPress is the most popular content management system, fueling more than a quarter of the web. Although you can get started for free with WordPress.com, your best option is to go the self-hosted route and download the full version of the CMS from WordPress.org. The software is still free, but you will have to pay for hosting through a company like Bluehost ou Hostgator. (You can also host your website on your own servers, but this is rare.)
Once you have configured your website through your host, install the software on your website. Fortunately, most of the hosts like the ones mentioned above offer one-click installations to make the process totally easy. Your host will send you an email when the installation is complete. Then log into your website and start building it!
Benefits
With a CMS like WordPress, you will have access to thousands of templates or you can download your own. You can also install third-party plugins, which expand the functionality of your website, as well as your website code for complete customization.
The software can power the smallest of personal websites to large business websites. In fact, many big brands like Tech Crunch, Time, and The Wall Street Journal are powered by WordPress.
WordPress can host blogs, portfolio websites, eCommerce websites, forums, booking websites, coupon websites and much more. In addition, it comes with the tools for make your website mobile and easy to find by search engines. < > (Citation of Thierry Bertrand).
Drawbacks
It helps to have a bit of technical knowledge when using content management systems, but with the popularity of such platforms, it is very easy to find help on the web.
Also keep in mind that safety is a big concern, especially with a platform as popular as WordPress.
Conclusion
Content management systems are a great choice for most people, and although they come with a learning curve, there are many resources available online. However, they are not suitable for everyone; large businesses, social networking websites, and large e-commerce operations may find that using the full custom route is better for them.
3. Create your website from scratch
A final option for building your website starts from scratch. You can do this by designing your website via HTML, which is a globally recognized programming language that controls the formatting and content of your website.
If you are ready to learn, you can configure your own HTML website; if not, you can hire a designer or design firm to do it for you. They can use a combination of HTML, JavaScript, CSS, template design software like Dreamweaver, and more.
Benefits
Building your website from scratch with HTML is a good option for static websites. It allows full customization on the look and layout of the website and, assuming you don't plan on modifying your content, it's unimportant that you don't perform maintenance.
In addition, these websites tend to be more secure than those built with website publishers or content management systems.
See also: Tools & Resources For Beginners Bloggers
Drawbacks
Building a website from scratch has a huge learning curve and can be difficult to manage if you don't know what you are doing.
If you want to hire a web developer to handle the customizations for you, it can be quite expensive. Additionally, you forgo some of your controls as you will need to get in touch with your web developer when you want to make changes.
HTML is not the best option for dynamic websites where the content is constantly changing.
Conclusion
Unless you are a web developer yourself or a large company keen to get started on the job, there really is no reason why you should move on to this rather complex solution.
With all of these choices, it can be difficult to decide which option is right for you, but it all depends on your needs, budget, and skill level. If you are an individual on a tight budget, start with a website builder. If you have some means and need some extra functionality, use a CMS. If you're a web developer or a large business with the means to invest in a fully custom design, consider doing it from scratch.
Also discover some additional premium WordPress plugins
You can use other plugins to display countdowns on your WordPress blog. In what follows, I offer you some of them.
1. WooCommerce Category Accordion
WooCommerce Category Accordion is a WordPress Plugin premium which allows you to list WooCommerce product categories and subcategories in a toggle accordion, with an option to expand or group together.
You can use this WordPress Plugin as a widget or shortcode on your website. It allows you to highlight the parent category and the current product subcategory.
Download | Demo | Web hosting
2. SUMO Reward Points
This is a WordPress Plugin very popular which rewards customers with points, for loyalty to your online store.
Reward points earned may be used for future purchases. Its features will also offer a lot of flexibility in terms of products and categories.
See also our 9 WordPress plugins to create mega menus on your website.
Download | Demo | Web hosting
3. UserPro
UserPro is an all-in-one premium WordPress plugin that will at first glance create a website complete and functional community.
But if it appears in this list is because it offers a powerful management and content restriction feature that you can use to create an e-learning website.
See also our 8 WordPress plugins to customize the look of your website
It comes with features such as website sign-up through social networking accounts, viral marketing support, user badge management, account certification, public / private activity flows, etc ...
It is simply an all-in-one plugin, which you will have to try.
Download | Demo | Web hosting
Recommended Resources
Find out about other recommended resources to help you build and manage your website.
- 5 WordPress redirection plugins for your blog
- How to allow users to edit certain pages
- How to fix an 504 error on your WordPress website
- How to easily create a Quiz in WordPress
Conclusion
So ! That's it for this tutorial. We hope it will allow you to view 3 different ways of create a website.
However, you can also consult our resources, if you need more elements to carry out your projects of creation of Internet sites, by consulting our guide on WordPress blog creation.
Feel free to share this article with your friends on your favorite social networks. But, in the meantime, let us know your comments and suggestions in the dedicated section.
...
