What is a website builder

A website builder is a beginner-friendly tool that allows anyone to create a website without any coding knowledge. Using a simple drag-and-drop editor and pre-designed templates, it’s perfect for quickly building professional-looking websites. Everything you need—hosting, design tools, and sometimes even a domain name—comes bundled in one convenient package. Popular examples include Shopify (for eCommerce), Wix, and Squarespace.

These tools are ideal for small business owners, artists, bloggers, or anyone who wants a fully functional website without the hassle of technical setup. With options like Wix or Shopify, you can have your site up and running in just a few hours—even if you’ve never built a website before. The entire process is streamlined so you can focus on your business or content rather than dealing with complex technology.

How to decide if a website builder is the right fit

Website builders are soaring in popularity these days (插入website builder 占比变化数据） and save users a lot of work, especially for those with limited experience or a small budget. However, they aren’t perfect for every situation. Here are key considerations before deciding if you need one.

First, consider using a website builder if:

  • You have never built a website before
  • You have zero coding knowledge
  • You lack the budget to hire professionals
  • You want to reduce long-term operational costs (e.g., if your site required frequent coding updates)
  • Time is limited, and you need to launch quickly to test ideas before competitors catch up

If more than one of these applies to you, a website builder is a safe choice.

After this, let’s discuss situations where a website builder may not be your best choice:

  • Your website handles highly sensitive data with stringent security requirements.
  • You demand full control over your website’s design, fine-tuned performance, SEO, and server-level optimizations.
  • You have unique workflows (e.g., a custom payment/subscription system or interconnected sites requiring data synchronization).
  • You prioritize long-term cost efficiency (e.g., avoiding platform fees if expecting high traffic). Website builders like Shopify charge 0.6%–2% transaction fees per order, depending on your plan.

For any of these conditions, building a website independently is best long-term. Don’t misunderstand: building without a website builder doesn’t mean you must build everything from scratch. There are a lot of third-party tools and AI solutions growing rapidly. Sometimes your work is about picking the right ones and assembling them together.

How to build a website without a website builder

Building a website may seem like a lot of work, but don’t let this thought hold you back. The secret is to break it down into manageable steps and tackle them one at a time. Before you know it, everything will fall into place. Let’s get started:

1. Define your purpose

A website without a clear goal is like a ship without a compass. Before jumping into anything, ask yourself: What problem does this website solve? Who is it for?

Start by figuring out what kind of website you need. If it’s something straightforward—like a portfolio, blog, or small business site—where the focus is mostly on sharing information, a CMS (Content Management System) like WordPress can save you a lot of work. But if you’re building something more interactive—like an online store, forum, or software platform—you’ll likely need more than just a CMS. Complex sites often require custom coding to handle user accounts, payments, or real-time features.

Once you’ve settled on the type of site, sketch out a rough plan. Decide on a budget, set a realistic timeline, and list the key features your website must have.Having this roadmap upfront will save you time and headaches later.

2. Plan your website 

Now, with your purpose clear, it’s time to lay the groundwork. This stage has three critical steps:

First, pick a domain name. This is your website’s address on the internet, so choose something memorable, easy to spell, and aligned with your brand. Avoid complicated words, hyphens, or numbers—simplicity is key.

Next, choose a web host. A web host is a service that stores your website’s files and makes them accessible on the internet. If you’re just starting out, shared hosting is an affordable option, and you can always switch to VPS or cloud hosting later when your traffic grows. Look for web hosts with multiple server locations worldwide and check whether they have data centers near your target market to ensure low latency for users accessing your website.

Finally, the fun part: sketch a wireframe. This is a rough layout of your website’s structure—where you organize your content and divide it into different pages. Typically, include basic pages like a home page, contact page, and about page. Fancy software can create polished visuals, but it’s unnecessary. A simple pen-and-paper sketch works perfectly. A simple pen-and-paper sketch also works. The goal is to visualize your site’s flow before you start building.

3. Hire web development professionals

When hiring professionals—whether UI/UX designers or web developers—keep these three essential tips in mind:

Prioritize local talent for better collaboration.
Whenever possible, look for professionals in your area so you can meet in person. Face-to-face discussions help clarify your vision, build trust, and ensure alignment before work begins.

Start with referrals, then explore trusted platforms.
Tap into your professional network first—personal recommendations often lead to reliable hires. If you need to widen your search, platforms like Upwork can be effective, but only if you have a clear idea of the skills and experience you require.

Don’t just skim their Portfolio—really dig into it.
Always examine their past work in detail, and ask for case studies or examples that closely match your project. This ensures they have the right expertise to deliver what you need.

4. Test your website before launch

Congratulations! You’ve built your website, and now it’s time to put it through testing. Your goal is to ensure everything works perfectly. Focus on these critical areas:

  • Functional Testing: Are all features working correctly? (e.g., forms, buttons, links)
  • Cross-Device Testing: Does the site display and function well on desktops, tablets, and mobile phones?
  • Performance Testing: Is the site loading quickly and efficiently?

How to test (Especially for beginners):
Put yourself in your users’ shoes. Navigate through your website as they would: click every button, fill out forms, and browse key pages. If something feels off—a broken link, a slow page, or a layout that looks odd on your phone—trust your instincts. Document every issue you find and share this list with your team for fixes.

Thorough testing now prevents frustrating user experiences later. Don’t skip this step!

What’s Next?

You’ve reached a milestone! You now understand when to choose a website builder and—more importantly—how to build a website from scratch.

Your journey continues. Remember: Your website isn’t a finished product but a living platform. To stay competitive and relevant, it demands ongoing attention— fresh content and regular updates are essential.