Define the main message
The first step should be to define what the main message of the website is. Visitors do not want to spend unnecessary time understanding what the website is about, so if this is not clear, they will quickly move on to something else. The main message should be guiding the design and content of the site. Here it would be natural to ask oneself questions such as: How do I want to portray ourselves? What is the most important thing I/we want to convey or achieve with the website? Who is my/our target audience, and what kind of information or functionality is most relevant to them? By reflecting on such issues early in the phase, we help create a clear and compelling main message that will guide the development of the website.
Website Platforms
A website builder provides a simple and intuitive approach to website development, often with features such as drag-and-drop, that allow you to customize your design without having to code. These platforms often emphasize mobile-friendliness, so that the website looks great on all devices without requiring a lot of extra work. When it comes to choosing a platform for website development, the possibilities are many. For many years, WordPress has been a standard for website development, and it is still a popular choice among many. The platform offers a wide variety of themes and plugins that allow you to customize your website as needed. However, more and more people are switching to “no-code” web development, where you don't have to worry about servers, plugins, security updates, development environments, code rollouts, and outdated software.
No-code web development is all about using platforms that take care of the coding for your website in the background, so you don't have to worry about writing HTML, CSS or JavaScript yourself. Instead, these website builders offer visual tools that allow you to create the structure and content of your website in a simple and intuitive way. Thus, one can focus on content, design and user experience, while coding has been taken care of automatically in the background. While you don't have to code yourself, many of these tools give you the ability to add custom code if you need additional functionality that isn't included by default.
The best no-code options today
One of the most popular no-code platforms for designing and publishing web pages that has gained increased popularity in recent years is Webflow. Webflow is recognized as one of the premier visual no-code website builders available today, as it combines ease of use, flexible editing capabilities, and mobile friendliness. Webflow also stands out with its good CMS functionality, which allows easy editing of content directly on the website. This makes it seamless for customers to add CMS-driven content, while allowing others to work on designing the overall structure around it. In fact, we use Ur Webflow to develop a number of websites for our customers, including our own website. Whether to create a website for yourself, your company or a customer, one can only with a few hours of training (Webflow 101 Course) get started building the website the way you want it. Whether you prefer to start from scratch or take advantage of the wide variety of free and paid templates, Webflow will make the process simple, exciting and highly efficient.
Other no-code platforms to mention are Wix and Squarespace. Wix is known for its excellent drag-and-drop functionality, which allows even beginners to create professional websites. The platform is also mobile-friendly and offers a wide variety of templates that can be customized according to the user's needs. Similarly, Squarespace is a great choice when it comes to design and aesthetics; a great choice for those who want a modern and stylish website. Squarespace also allows users to customize elements to reflect their personal brand or business with a variety of modern templates.
Choosing a website platform
When it comes to choosing a website platform for you and your project, there will naturally be several factors that come into play, ranging from preference, skills, purpose, scope to budget. If you are going to build a website with no money to spend, Webflow may be the wrong choice for you. Although Webflow offers a number of free features, you still have to incur some expenses (e.g. CMS). Squarespace and Wix also tend to cost a bit, for extended functionality. When it comes to the website building, Webflow offers total freedom, as if you had coded it, but visually. Wix has a few more limitations and more finished elements, while Squarespace offers very little building work for an nonetheless simple and pretty website. I'd say Webflow and Wix require some skill, whereas with Squarespace there's almost none. Thus, Webflow and Wix, with their room for freedom, can create some challenges in the long run when beginners build their website themselves, unless they know exactly what they are doing. The scope of your project should also be considered when choosing a website platform. For example, Wix or Squarespace might work best to a simple portfolio website, while Webflow to a larger customer project with extended navigation, animation, CMS layout, and content. By considering such aspects, you can more easily make a decision about which website platform best suits your project. This way, you can ensure that you achieve your goals and desired result, while minimizing any challenges that may arise along the way.
Summary
Website development has become more accessible than ever thanks to a variety of tools, aids, courses and platforms we have today. It all starts with developing a solid strategy for communication and content, and then choosing the right tool. When choosing the right website platform, there are several factors to consider. No-code platforms such as Webflow, Wix and Squarespace provide different approaches to website building, each with its advantages and limitations. While Webflow provides total freedom and creative control, it may require a little more skill to master. Wix and Squarespace offer easier building options, but with limited customization. Fortunately, most website builders provide a variety of templates to choose from, which make the design process more accessible. I would encourage you to set aside some time to explore the modern website builders we have available today. It's not scary, and they will definitely help streamline the development process for your project! Not least, they will help you develop a website in a fraction of the time compared to traditional coding.
