Business
Top 10 Most Website Builders That Doesn’t Suck
Published
3 years agoon
Create your own pages with the best website builders. There are hundreds to choose from but we’ve already selected the top 10 for you.
Years ago, only professionals that know how to use codes can create an effective website. It’s a daunting skill that most of us would rather outsource. But as always, technology found a way to make website building easier for an average internet user. You don’t have to learn codes (although it’s still useful in some cases). And you can create your website in just a few minutes! All thanks to website builders.
Best Website Builders 2020
Before creating this list, we asked our team of website developers and designers to assess each website builder. Likewise, non-website builders from our group were also tasked to create simple pages. This approach allowed us to gauge each website builder based on its features and ease-of-use.
1. Webflow
Webflow is a website builder that’s perfect for both amateurs and professionals. It allows you to create websites without using codes, yet you can still customize it depending on your needs. You will also find their templates useful so you don’t have to start your web design from scratch.
When we tested it out, our group didn’t have problems onboarding the platform. The instructions are straightforward and you can build right then and there. But just in case you need some help, their tutorial is tailored-fit for first-timers.
Webflow has this ‘Box Model’. It’s a process where you think of your elements as boxes. Generally, you have your image boxes, text boxes, and button boxes which you can overlay to get that web design you want.
If there is one improvement that we are looking forward to, that would be their personal support. Yes, tutorials are available, but of course, there are questions that are best answered by an actual support team. Webflow’s pricing starts at $35 per month.
2. Carrd
Carrd might be an underdog in the world of website builders, but it sure does a great job. Aside from being user-friendly, the web pages you create from it will load fast. That’s a huge point for them. As for the templates, these are nothing short of amazing. Just some tweaks and you’re all set to go.
We also timed our test, from signing in until we created a live page. Surprisingly, it took us less than an hour.
However, this might not sit well for pros and for e-commerce content. Nevertheless, for a price of $19 per year for their Pro Lite package, this has got to be the cheapest in the market today. Yes, the cost is per year and it isn’t a typo.
3. Wix
Wix is probably one of the most popular website builders in the list – thanks to their aggressive marketing. But is Wix worth the rave?
It actually is. To date, there are more than 180M users around the globe and that’s a testimony that Wix works. It’s easy to use, yet customizable. In fact, your professional web designers will enjoy it too.
Wix design options are commendable as well. They have a huge library where you can find awesome templates that can instantly give your website that professional look.
Lastly, they have a reliable support team that can answer your concerns, the soonest possible time. Wix has several plans to choose from and starts at $24.50 per month.
4. Squarespace
Included in our best website builders list is Squarespace. This is the right platform if your priority is the visual appearance. Their templates are carefully designed. The main challenge is actually choosing one (because everything seems to be perfect).
If this is your first time to design a website, Squarespace will not intimidate you. Just drag and drop elements, and you are all set. It doesn’t matter if you are building a website for your online store, a non-profit organization, travel, or photography blog. This website builder will surely have something for you.
There is no blank canvas though. But that’s not enough for us to dislike it. You can start with their Personal plan for only $12 per month.
5. Duda
Duda has everything you need for a good website builder plus more. Apart from being user-friendly and having cool templates, it also has a feature where you and your team can easily collaborate. The platform allows you to leave comments on the design and this makes the entire process faster.
One of the downsides of choosing Duda is that their plans are quite costly. Getting their least expensive package for $14 per month is too restricted in our opinion.
6. GoDaddy
Another website builder that has taken the world by storm is GoDaddy. We’ve already used this platform a couple of years ago, and we have to say that there were a lot of improvements. The designs are now modern, and there are SEO and marketing features that are obviously essential for your website’s success.
Quite frankly, most website builders will promise you the same thing – that you can build a website right away. The same is also true with GoDaddy. But what sets it apart is its customer service. They have 24/7 support through phone, email, and ticketing systems. So basically, it doesn’t matter where you are. If ever you have trouble with your website, just reach out to them and get answers fast. However, if you are looking for a website builder that allows more creative and design freedom, this might not be the best choice.
You can get a package for $10 a month.
7. Ucraft
Ucraft isn’t one of the biggest players in the market, but it still deserves to be on our list of the best website builders. You can create your blog, business website, or e-commerce page from this platform. As for the ease-of-use, we have to say that it can be a bit challenging as you cannot move the ‘ready-made blocks’ around your template. It’s as if there is a pre-determined space allotted for these.
What we enjoyed though is the free logo maker. This is ideal for a startup company that has yet to create their brand identity. Their Pro package is $10 per month.
8. Shopify
If you are building an online store, then we could not recommend anything better than Shopify. And right now, it powers more than 800,000 businesses around the world. They have an amazing inventory, tracking, and shipping tools.
This is ideal even if you don’t have an idea about e-commerce design. Everything you need is here. They even have their own payment gateway. The interface is simple and clear so you can start building your online empire whenever you want to.
The Basic Shopify Plan is $29 per month. But as you grow your business, we encourage you to get their higher tiered packages.
9. Weebly
We cannot really say that Weebly is the best website builder. In fact, back in the days, you will find reviews mocking their templates for being below average. They took it to the core and made changes. And we are happy to say, it’s all good now. If they continue making improvements, we will not be surprised if it will get a bigger portion of the market soon.
As of the moment, we can recommend it for small businesses only. You can add advanced site tools if you want. It’s versatile enough not just for beginners but also for pros in web designing.
Their Professional package starts at $12 if you subscribe for one year.
10. Webnode
Lastly, we have Webnode, a website builder that supports more than 20 languages. This means you can create a multilingual website. That’s precisely the reason they now have more than 40M registered users. And let’s not forget, it is also great for SEO.
Just recently, they made improvements to their editor and shopping cart features. Nothing’s wrong with the old ones. But seeing that they are proactive in making changes, that’s already a good sign on how they will handle future requirements. As of the moment, this is not the ideal choice for e-commerce websites.
If you want a professional and bilingual website, you can choose their Standard package for only $11.95 per month.
Conclusion
Having a website now brings added value to your business and organization. There’s no reason for you not to have one given the best website builders out there. A quick reminder though. Don’t forget to look at the package’s inclusions. The cheapest one might be too restricted and it would be more practical to get the higher plans. So take your time in understanding the features and then start building your website.
You may like
Business
How a Startup Incubator Can Accelerate Your Business
Published
1 month agoon
August 21, 2023By
Carmen DayIn today’s fast-paced and competitive business landscape, startups often find themselves navigating a maze of challenges that can hinder their growth and potential.
This is where the concept of a startup incubator comes into play as a guiding light for emerging ventures. A startup incubator is more than just a physical space; it’s a dynamic ecosystem designed to nurture and propel early-stage ventures toward success.
In this article, we’ll tackle some of the most common questions surrounding incubators. For instance – what is the role of a startup incubator? How does it differ from an accelerator?
And most importantly, how can it optimize your business?
Let’s begin!
What is an incubator in a startup ecosystem?
In a startup ecosystem, an incubator refers to a supportive environment or program designed to help early-stage startups grow and develop.
Incubators provide a range of resources and services to entrepreneurs, typically for a fixed period of time, with the goal of nurturing and accelerating the growth of their businesses.
Here’s the usual process of how an incubator supports a startup:
Onboarding
Startups who applied and were accepted are welcomed into the incubator with an orientation session. During this phase, startups get an overview of the program’s structure, expectations, and available resources. They also meet their mentors, advisors, and fellow cohort members.
Mentorship and Guidance
Startups are paired with mentors who have relevant industry experience or expertise.
Regular mentorship sessions provide guidance, feedback, and insights to help startups navigate challenges and refine their strategies.
Workshops and Training
Incubators organize workshops, seminars, and training sessions on various aspects of entrepreneurship. Topics covered during the startup incubator program may include:
- Business planning
- Marketing strategies
- Product development
- Legal and regulatory matters
- Fundraising
Access to Resources
Aside from training sessions, startups can also gain access to resources such as:
- Office space
- Co-working environments
- Internet connectivity
- Meeting rooms
Some incubators provide access to shared equipment, startup software, and other tools needed for product development.
Networking and Events
Incubators often facilitate networking events, pitch sessions, and demo days where startups can showcase their progress to potential investors, partners, and the broader community.
Business Development
Startups work on refining their business models, products, and market strategies. They receive support in identifying their target audience, creating a value proposition, and developing a sustainable revenue model.
Funding and Investment
Incubators may provide introductions to potential investors, venture capitalists, and angel investors Startups also learn about different funding options and how to pitch their ideas to secure investment.
Graduation
Successful completion of the incubator program results in a “graduation” for startups.
Graduated startups may continue to receive support through alumni networks, ongoing mentorship, or access to incubator resources.
Startup Incubator vs. Accelerator
A startup incubator and a startup accelerator are both support programs designed to assist early-stage startups, but they have distinct characteristics and objectives. Here’s a comparison between the two:
- Focus. Incubators typically have a broader focus and cater to startups in various stages of development. They often work with startups that are in the ideation or early development phase. Accelerators, on the other hand, are more specialized and typically work with startups that have a viable product or service and are ready to scale rapidly. They focus on accelerating growth and reaching key milestones quickly.
- Stage. Incubators are well-suited for startups that are still refining their business models, conducting market research, and building their initial product or service. Accelerators, meanwhile, are best suited for startups that have a minimum viable product (MVP) and are seeking to refine their business model, gain traction, and secure funding to scale.
- Mentorship. A startup incubator provides mentorship and guidance, often with a focus on helping founders refine their business ideas, develop prototypes, and validate their concepts. On the other hand, an accelerator’s mentorship is often geared towards specific aspects of growth, such as scaling operations, marketing, fundraising, and product-market fit.
Startup Incubator Examples
If you’re looking for the best startup incubators in the world, here are a few you of the most popular ones to consider.
1. Y Combinator
Situated in the USA, Y Combinator is considered one of the best startup incubators which has played an instrumental role in fostering the growth trajectories of some of the most renowned startups globally. The Y Combinator program spans a duration of three months, during which startups receive a funding injection of $500,000, albeit subject to certain conditions.
Subsequently, founders are immersed in a sequence of mentoring and refinement initiatives that culminate in the prestigious Demo Day. Here, founders showcase their concepts to an audience comprising investors and handpicked media representatives.
Mentees: Airbnb, Dropbox, Coinbase, Gitlab
2. Techstars
Techstars directs its energy toward nurturing startups rooted in technology. Since its inception in 2006, Techstars has been a driving force behind the growth of numerous startups. Annually, they select more than 500 fledgling companies, providing them with up to $120,000 in investment and the invaluable chance to partake in mentorship programs.
Backed by an impressive funding sum of $21.3 billion, Techstars stands out as a reliable choice for technology-oriented startups. Within its portfolio of activities, Techstars hosts several high-profile events and initiatives, including Startup Week and Startup Weekend.
Mentees: Uber, DigitalOcean, SendGrid
3. 500 Startups
500 Startups operates as a dual-purpose platform, functioning as both an accelerator program and a seed fund dedicated to startups. Positioned primarily as a venture capital entity, they proudly proclaim a management portfolio worth $2.7 billion. Their primary interests converge on sectors where technology, innovation, and capital growth converge harmoniously.
Their extensive investment history spans more than 2,600 startups worldwide, underscoring the maturity and comprehensiveness of their accelerator program across diverse markets.
Mentees: Grab, Canva, Credit Karma
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need an incubator for my startup?
If you’re in the early stages, lack experience, and could benefit from structured guidance, resources, and mentorship, an incubator might be valuable. However, if you’re aiming for rapid growth and have a clear roadmap, an accelerator could be more appropriate.
Do startup incubators provide funding?
Yes, many startup incubators provide funding as part of their support package. However, the funding offered by incubators can vary widely depending on the specific program, location, and the terms of the agreement. Some incubators offer direct funding to startups, while others may connect startups with potential investors or provide resources to help them secure funding elsewhere.
Business
Preparing the Shift to Mobile eCommerce: Tips + Tools
Published
1 month agoon
August 15, 2023By
Skylar LeeWe Are Social reported that around 50% of the 16 to 64 demographic use their mobile to purchase something online weekly. With those in mind, your eCommerce business shouldn’t be confined to one place. It’s essential that you have a website and social media sites. Plus, don’t be afraid to list your products other than those platforms. Here’s how to make a successful shift towards mobile eCommerce.
1. Use Website Builders
Most website builders nowadays can optimize your eCommerce site on the desktop or mobile. These tools help you design and layout your website and make tweaks before publishing it. Moreover, you can add pages, such as blogs, products, and contact pages, to make your eCommerce site operational.
You don’t need to hire a web designer or developer immediately when creating your site on these builders. It’s ideal for new eCommerce site owners, considering you want the business up and running from Day 1 without any hassle.
2. Set Up Secure Payment Methods
One way to enhance your customer’s experience in your eCommerce site is setting up payment gateways. Although you install payment gateway plug-ins on your desktop, it’s crucial that it’s working on your mobile site, too. This way, your customers won’t experience any mishaps or issues when paying via mobile.
3. Widen Reach with Social Commerce
Mobile eCommerce isn’t only about a mobile eCommerce app. After all, it’s a catch-all term to describe all eCommerce-related strategies done on mobile. Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have opened avenues for eCommerce sites to integrate their store into these platforms. Plus, social media sites are easily accessible on phones, allowing customers to browse anywhere.
You can promote your best-sellers and new products on these platforms. Then, ensure that you link to your website. This way, your customers can view other products, regardless of where they’re browsing them.
4. List Products on Other Relevant eCommerce Marketplaces
Even though you have a website, you can reach more people when posting items on other eCommerce stores. This allows you to get more exposure. It’s possible that your competitors are in the same marketplace. However, if you have the correct copy and high-quality images, your customers are likely to buy your products.
5. Develop an App or Hire an App Designer and Developer
Not all eCommerce sites have an app for their eCommerce products. But you can change the game by having one for easier browsing and a smoother experience. However, app development is challenging for non-developers. There are no-code app makers to use for your new app.
Or, if creating an app is too tedious, hiring an app developer and designer is a much better alternative. They have the know-how to create an optimized app for your eCommerce site. You can find them on freelance sites like Fiverr or Upwork.
Mobile eCommerce Tools
1. Shopify
Shopify is one of the top eCommerce tools for all businesses. You can build a site, sell online, market your products, and manage your business. You don’t need experience developing or designing a website on Shopify. The eCommerce platform has a no-code website builder, letting users create sites in minutes. Additionally, Shopify allows you to integrate apps into your online store, including payment gateways.
2. Wix
Another contender in website building is Wix. Like Shopify, it’s fast, easy, and simple to create and design a website. Their web design feature, “Editor X,” allows you to customize your site. Also, you can use their Wix Payments feature. It’s their solution for all payments, allowing customers to pay via Apple Pay, credit card, and other payment methods.
3. Stripe
If you need a payment method solution, Stripe is one of the best eCommerce payment tools! You can accept payments globally. Plus, Apple Pay and Google Pay are two payment methods to integrate into your Stripe account. Stripe is also advanced because it can detect fraud and block it. Plus, you can increase conversions and launch subscriptions.
4. PayPal
An alternative to Stripe payments is PayPal. As one of the oldest payment methods, you can trust this tool for easy payments. You can install PayPal for your checkout needs. Plus, you can even request payments! Additionally, PayPal accepts credit and debit card payments worldwide!
5. Sked
Don’t have time to post all the time? Consider Sked as your social media management tool. You don’t need to publish and tag your posts manually. Sked helps you tag posts directly on their dashboard. You don’t have to worry about losing your product tags. Plus, Sked will add your shoppable posts in one gallery!
Post your products on these sites:
- Threads
- TikTok
- YouTube
6. Planoly
Another social media management platform to consider for your mobile eCommerce needs is Planoly. Like Sked, Planoly enables users to tag shoppable posts without leaving the social media management platform. You can post your products with Planoly:
- TikTok
- YouTube
7. Canva
Content creation tools are necessary to make your mobile eCommerce strategies successful. Canva is one of these tools to promote your eCommerce site and products. You can use the abovementioned social media schedulers or other options. It’s easy to create designs for your social media platforms. Or you can create custom designs for your website and post them on other eCommerce marketplaces.
8. Jotform
If you want a simple yet functional app, you can create one with Jotform! They use a drag-and-drop model when you build and design your app. Plus, you can use their templates to build your app in minutes. Finally, you can share your app with a QR, which will download the app to your customers’ devices.
9. Glide
Glide is another no-code option to consider when building your app. Like Jotform, you can create using templates and customize your app design. Additionally, you can integrate productivity tools into creating your app and automate workflows!
10. Buildfire
Our final mobile eCommerce tool is Buildfire! They have a dedicated eCommerce solution that allows you to sync your products and organize your inventory. You can even add a notification so users are informed when their products are in stock or when they need to complete checkout.
Business
How to Grow a Business on TikTok: 8 Branding Strategies
Published
2 months agoon
August 11, 2023With over 1 billion average monthly active users, TikTok provides new opportunities for businesses to engage with audiences. TikTok for Business has emerged as a dynamic social media marketing channel that helps small businesses grow. Have you ever wondered how to grow a business on TikTok in a highly competitive social media marketing world? Explore the best TikTok branding strategies that could help your business reach a massive audience.
1. Choose Your Niche Topic
Like most social media platforms, you must create and share-worthy content to be popular. You must create consistent branding if you’ve chosen TikTok to promote your brand. The possibilities to produce excellent content are endless. Pick a more familiar topic and share your knowledge and experience about it.
First, research your competitors to see the types of content they post on the platform. Then, try your best to produce better content to outrank them. Likewise, monitoring and analyzing user feedback will let you understand whether or not you are moving in the right direction.
2. Create Engaging Content
Working with TikTok influencers and putting hashtags is crucial for promoting your brand to a large audience, but let’s face the truth: these strategies will only work if the content you share is balanced.
Remember that on TikTok, you only have 15-60 seconds to convince the users to follow you. So, pay more attention to the quality of content rather than posting irrelevant things just to be active.
Be sure to create a pleasant, understandable video, as this is the first thing that catches a visitor’s attention. As a creator, you must ensure the correct design is used for all posts. Think about the captions of your videos. If you need more insights, read our blog about what to consider in creating a TikTok content strategy.
3. Work with Influencers
TikTok influencers may be known for their small audiences compared to Instagram influencers. But, reaching out to target users will help you promote your brand or company.
Develop professional partnerships with influencers whose audience might be interested in your brand and will likely buy. This is similar to the principles of Instagram advertising works.
Tapping influencers into the TikTok platform is one way of producing high-quality content. It also enables you to get more sponsored publications. So, if your budget allows partnering with the influencer to promote your product, go for it!
4. Join a Hashtag Challenge
The TikTok hashtag challenge is a dynamic marketing strategy that encourages users to participate in creating and sharing content about a specific theme. The goal is to generate user-generated content that aligns with your brand’s message, values, or products. It also aims to drive user engagement and increase brand visibility.
TikTok content creators might have a limited following compared with Instagram influencers. Nevertheless, the key lies in connecting with your desired audience to market your business effectively. Collaborating with influencers whose followers align with your brand’s appeal can attract potential customers inclined to purchase. This process is similar to the principles of advertising on Instagram.
5. Collaborate with Other Creators Via TikTok Marketing Campaigns
Sometimes, you want your brand to reach a large audience, but your budget is limited. In such situations, a partnership with content creators or other brands may work for you.
For instance, if you work in the fashion industry and want to promote your company, you may find other people from this field with a solid following for potential collaboration. Reach out and tell them you’re interested in a partnership project. The mutual potential benefits of collaborative projects are noticeable, so there is a high chance someone will take up your suggestion.
6. Invest in Advertising
TikTok introduced a specialized advertising system, benefiting brands from a large user base. TikTok offers three types of digital advertising:
- Native In-Feed Ads
- Hashtag Challenge Ads
- Brand Ads.
Brand ads are the most efficient way to drive traffic to your landing page. And when it comes to targeting TikTok ads, there are two options:
- Interest Targeting. Like Facebook ads, this option lets you pick an interest relevant to your target audience. The platform shows ads to a particular group.
- Behavioral Targeting. This ad targeting type allows you to advertise to people based on their behavior within the last week or two.
7. Keep Up with Trends and Make Them Work for Your Business
As you’ve already noticed, TikTok is full of trends. This is a social network where trends change over time. It ranges from popular songs, video effects, challenges, and hashtags. But how do we identify a trend among millions of videos on TikTok? Keep up to date by tracking hashtags and themes. You must follow these trends and analyze how your business can benefit.
8. Monitor and Assess the Results of your Campaigns
Hashtags and creativity are all good, but remember that a fundamental element of any marketing strategy is evaluating the results of a campaign. Using an analytics tool, you can get valuable insights from your promotional efforts and how to improve them. If you need more engagement, consider what mistakes could have caused such an effect and how to fix them. Your clips may be underperforming because they’re not funny enough. Updating yourself with analytics is a powerful way to enlarge your audience and generate more sales.
Conclusion
TikTok stands as a significant milestone in the evolution of contemporary social media. Centered around interaction, it has attracted millions of Gen-Z users and become the most active advertising channel. With these eight branding strategies at your disposal, you’ll be able to understand how to grow a business on TikTok. Once you’ve learned the basics, showcasing your product or brand to a large TikTok community will be easier.