< Back to Bootstrapper's Marketing HubIn this series, we've walked through understanding the value of a website, generating ideas, creating wireframes, and diving into the design phase. Now, we're ready to take the next step: building your website. Let's explore how to turn your website design into a fully functioning online platform.
Prototyping and User Testing: Brief Overview
Before we delve into website builders, it's worth noting that larger projects often involve a step called prototyping. This involves creating a mockup of your website to conduct user testing. User testing can provide valuable insights, but it's often bypassed in smaller projects due to time or budget constraints. Should you be interested in carrying out your own user testing, we love Userbrain.
Jumping Right Into Building: When and Why?
In many cases, you may decide to skip prototyping and jump straight into building. This approach is practical for smaller projects or when you're working on a tight budget. Going straight into building can speed up the process and save costs, enabling you to get your website live quicker.
What is a website builder?
A website builder is a tool that allows you to construct a website without manual code editing. These are often referred to as WYSIWYGs (pronounced "wizzywigs") or, "what you see is what you get". They are incredibly user-friendly and are designed to be accessible to people without a technical background. They allow you to turn your website design into a functional site with ease.
Choosing the Right Website Builder for You
Choosing the right platform to build your website can seem daunting with the number of options available. Some of the most popular website builders are Squarespace, Wix, WordPress, and Carrd.com. Each platform has its unique features, pros, and cons. Following each bullet point, you can find an introduction to each builder.
Your choice will depend on your specific needs, budget, and comfort level with the builder's interface.
How much does it cost to build a website?
The cost to build a website can vary significantly depending on the platform you choose and the specific features you need. Most website builders offer a range of pricing plans, starting with basic free plans and going up to premium or business plans.
Remember to factor in costs for things like domain registration, premium themes or plugins, and potentially higher plans if you require more storage or bandwidth.
Making the Most of Your Chosen Website Builder
Once you've chosen a website builder, take the time to familiarize yourself with its features and functionalities. Most builders offer tutorials or guides to help you get started. Don't rush the process — spend time refining your website, ensuring that it accurately represents your design and functions well for your users.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully navigated through the major steps of building a better website, from research and planning, to wireframing, design, and now bringing it to life using a website builder. Remember, your website is never truly finished. As your business grows, and as technology and user behaviors evolve, you'll want to revisit, revise, and continue improving your website to keep it fresh, engaging, and effective.
Whether you've followed along with every step or picked up pointers along the way, we hope this guide has provided valuable insights and confidence in your web design journey. Now that your website is live, it's time to think about how you'll attract visitors, drive engagement, and achieve your business goals.
Feel like you need more assistance? We're here to help! Whether it's consulting, design, or a full-service solution, feel free to reach out to us. Your successful web presence is our mission!
