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Web design has come a long way since the early days of the internet, where websites were basic and few visitors arrived. Today, websites are a crucial part of any business or personal brand identity, and the tools available to create these websites have become more and more accessible for everyone. Whether you are a small business owner, a freelance designer, or an individual looking to start a blog, there are plenty of options available to build your website from scratch with ease.
One of the most integral tools in website building is the website builder software. It allows non-technical users the ability to create a professional-looking website with ease, customizing templates, adding content, and selecting features without having to know how to code. However, with so many options available, it can be difficult to decide which website builder tool will best fit your needs.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to the features and benefits of the top website builders designed for Mac OS users. We’ll also provide our professional insights and analysis, along with a comprehensive comparison of each software, that’ll help you make an informed decision.
Video Tutorial:
What Web Builders for Mac Can Do?
Website builders are an all-in-one tool that allows users to design, develop and publish websites, without the need for any programming knowledge. You simply must select a pre-designed template and customize it with your desired content, images, and branding. With a website builder, you can:
- Create and publish a website quickly and easily, without any prior knowledge of coding or web design.
- Make changes to your website at any time without affecting coding or design.
- Make use of various widgets and add-ons like contact forms, social media integration, and image galleries to enhance your website.
- Easily customize your website look and feel by selecting from a variety of templates that best suits your branding.
- Choose your domain name and hosting plan to ensure visibility across the internet for better business growth.
- Save time and effort by using drag-and-drop builders to place different elements and components where you want them to appear on your website.
What Factors Should Be Considered While Choosing Web Builders for Mac?
With a plethora of website builder software options available in the market, selecting the right one can be a daunting task, especially for Mac OS users. To help you choose your website builder, there are several factors you should consider before making a decision.
- User-Friendliness: The software should be intuitive and easy-to-use, allowing for the creation of a website without spending too much time learning how to use it. It should not require any technical expertise, and the user interface should be comfortable to use at all times.
- Cost: Consider the financial aspect of the builder software and what the cost includes. It’s crucial to choose a software within your budget that also includes hosting and other fees. Check its pricing structure, subscription availability, and the additional add-ons that might cost more.
- Customization: A successful website builder should provide the necessary customization features like templates, tools, and widgets allowing users to make their website stand out from others and showcase their brand style and personality.
- Mobile Responsiveness: A website builder should comply with the modern trends and ensure a responsive website, improving the user experience on all devices from mobiles, tablets, laptops to desktops through adaptable fonts, layouts and navigations.
- eCommerce: If you plan to sell your products and services online, ensure the website builder software includes eCommerce functionality, like shopping carts, payment gateways, inventory management, and sales reports.
Best 7 Web Builders for Mac
We’ve researched and tested the most widely used web builders for Mac OS users. Based on our analysis of the factors mentioned above, here’s our top seven recommendations:
1. Wix
Wix is the most popular website builder software on the market today, offering a simple drag and drop editor which makes it easy for users without any technical expertise to create their own websites. With Wix, you can easily select a template for your website design and customize it to suit your needs. The software also includes a variety of add-ons and plugins, allowing you to showcase your products and services effectively.
Pros of Wix
- Over 800 professionally designed website templates
- A free option with low-cost paid plans, which include unlimited pages, bandwidth, and storage.
- Customizable with add-ons and third-party integrations
- eCommerce capabilities
- Mobile responsive templates
- Rapid deployment, which is useful for prototyping purposes.
Cons of Wix
- Higher subscription rates
- Template switching is not available after the website goes live.
- Incompatibility with HTML and CSS code.
2. Squarespace
Squarespace is the perfect website builder for creatives, photographers, and artists, providing them with an attractive, professional, and highly visual website builder. This platform has everything you need to create your portfolio website or eCommerce shop, including custom page designs, a wide range of templates, and a variety of plugins.
Pros of Squarespace
- Attractive, professional, and highly visual website builder
- All-in-one subscription packages with limitations, including web hosting, domain registration, and website design and development tools
- Extensive range of templates and design tools
- eCommerce compatible with Paypal and Square
- Responsive content blocks with drag-and-drop capability ability
- Publishing multiple versions for a single page
Cons of Squarespace
- Higher cost subscription levels
- Less intuitive for first-time users
- Limited flexibility using third-party software integration
- Less customization features
3. Weebly
Weebly is an all-in-one web design and hosting platform that provides you with everything you need to create a website. With Weebly, you can create your website design and integrate it with your preferred eCommerce service with ease. It’s perfect for startups and small businesses with little technical knowledge.
Pros of Weebly
- Used by most small businesses and startups
- Drag-and-drop functionality with over 40 website templates
- Host, web design and domain registration included
- eCommerce functionality with flexible payment options
- Mobile responsive dashboard
- Search engine optimization customization options
Cons of Weebly
- ECommerce features offered only for higher-level plans
- Less design flexibility in some templates
- Limitation of multiple users at the same time
4. Webflow
Webflow is a sophisticated website builder platform that offers a wide range of customization options coupled with advanced design functionalities. It’s perfect for professional web designers who want more control and flexibility over their websites. The platform offers HTML and CSS code, making it easy to build a professional website even if one has little knowledge about these programming languages.
Pros of Webflow
- HTML and CSS code design available
- Drag-and-drop design functionality with robust customization options
- Responsive templates and wide range of design tools
- eCommerce integration with Shopify
- Free trial offer and period flexibility with full-feature functionality
Cons of Webflow
- Less intuitive for first-time users
- Higher price points for premium plans
- Less processing speed due to advanced customization options
- Total reliance on the platform’s code with the limited third-party integrations available
5. Bluehost
Bluehost is a web hosting company that also provides website builder software. It is an excellent all-round package for small businesses and personal websites. They are one of the best website hosting providers with over 2 million domain names already registered.
Pros of Bluehost
- Affordable pricing plans with unlimited space and bandwidth
- Drag and drop builder tools with over 70 website templates
- eCommerce integration with online store and payment gateway functionality
- Free domain access with hosting registration
- In-built SEO-assisted tools available
- Free SSL certificate
Cons of Bluehost
- Less integration feature offering with third-party software
- Less design flexibility and drag-and-drop customization options
- Limited third-party plugin integration options
6. WordPress
WordPress is a popular website builder software that has been around for years, offering a wide range of plug-ins and customization options. With WordPress, you can create a fully customizable website that can be used for blogging, eCommerce, and business website purposes.
Pros of WordPress
- Completely free except for hosting and domain
- Large plugin repository with easy add-ons for website functionality
- Blogging feature included
- eCommerce compatibility
- Endless plugins and customization options available
- Search engine optimization facility
Cons of WordPress
- Less intuitive for beginners
- Premium plugins are costly
- Technically capable or requires web development services
- Security can be compromised when site customization isn’t secure enough
7. Jimdo
Jimdo is a website builder that’s ideal for small business owners, artists, and bloggers who want a robust website with a simple interface and drag-and-drop functionality. The platform offers a cloud-based website builder that requires no software downloads to get started.
Pros of Jimdo
- Powerful website builder software with simple drag-and-drop functionality and a variety of design templates
- Affordable pricing plans with monthly billing and 14-day money-back guarantee
- eCommerce functionality with easy payment gateway feature
- Mobile responsive templates
- SEO optimization assist
Cons of Jimdo
- Less control over customization and limited drag-and-drop support
- Importing website information can be an issue
- Less design capacity than advanced website builder software options
Pros & Cons of the 7 Web Builders for Mac
Here’s a summary of the main pros and cons of each web builder software we reviewed:
| Web Builder Software | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Wix |
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| Squarespace |
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| Weebly |
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| Webflow |
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| Bluehost |
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| WordPress |
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| Jimdo |
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