Top open source website builders: software and design for creative websites
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Open source websites
Building a website can seem like a big challenge, especially if you don’t have experience with web design or website development. But thanks to open source software, it’s now easier than ever to create a great-looking site without needing to know how to build the actual page. Open source refers to a type of software in which the source code is made available to the public.
What makes software open source?
The principle of open source is that the code of the software is available to the users allowing them to view, modify, design, distribute, and use the software for any purpose. This includes collaboration, transparency, and community-oriented development.
The source code is available for all to understand the program’s functions. It also means that modifications can be proposed by anyone. In fact community involvement is encouraged and reviewed. For most users however the freedom to use, distribute, inspect and modify the software is the most important aspect.
Software examples include Linux OS, Apache web server, Mozilla Firefox browser, and WordPress CMS. Using open source software has numerous benefits such as improved security, reduced costs, greater flexibility, and faster innovation.
There are many good reasons to use open source software when building a website. For one thing it’s budget friendly. Website owners can save a fair amount of money as some solutions can come with a hefty price tag. And it’s the community that adds value. The large enthusiastic and engaged community of people who use it are ready to help anybody who asks for help. This too is mostly free as well.
Advantages of using open source software
They offer several distinct advantages, especially for users who value flexibility, control, design, and cost-effectiveness when building sites.
- Cost-Effective: Open-source builders are usually free to use. This makes them an excellent choice for individuals or small businesses that have a limited budget. While there may be costs associated with web hosting (like GoDaddy) or premium plugins, the core software doesn’t typically require a licence fee. DIY design creatives don’t need a web designer or freelancer to get them started with web development.
- Customizable: With access to the source code, they allow for more customization than their closed-source counterparts. You have the freedom to modify the code and design the website to your specific needs, from layout to functionality.
- Extensive features and plugins: They provide various design features and plugins from the community that help extend your website’s functionality. These include tools for e-commerce capabilities, SEO, social media integration, security and anti spam and so much more. Think of a function or feature a site needs and there’s bound to be a solution already available off the shelf.
- Active community support: The open source community tends to be vibrant and responsive. This means you’ll likely find forums, tutorials, guides, online courses and other resources to help you navigate any challenges you might face. You also benefit from the regular updates and security patches provided by the community.
- Ownership: With open source, you fully own the website you build without relying on proprietary software which could tie you down to where the site is kept as for instance in the case of Wix or the possibility of fees being increased at a level beyond your affordability. Because your website is contained within a gated set up you have to suffer what your service is inflicting on you. There could be many issues that might not be visible at the start of your project. Open source gives you the freedom to take your site to wherever is most appropriate and affordable for you.
- Security: Open source software is often considered more secure than proprietary software. This is because the source code is publicly available and continuously scrutinised by the community, leading to quicker identification and patching of potential vulnerabilities.
- Interoperability: Open source builders support standard data formats and open protocols, making integration with other systems or migration to a different platform easier.
- Scalability: Open source platforms offer more scalability to accommodate growth. You can enhance your site without restrictions imposed by the proprietary software as your needs change and site traffic increases.
Website builders have several advantages, but they might be more complicated for non-technical users. Your design may need assistance from a developer or a steeper learning curve compared to proprietary options.
Key features of open source website builders
There are numerous features that empower users to create and manage sites efficiently. Here are some key features commonly found:
- Flexibility: It can provide a high level of flexibility, allowing users to customise and design websites according to specific needs. Users can modify the source code, add new features, and extend the functionality of the website builder to match the requirements.
- Content Management System (CMS): They often include a built-in CMS, which makes it easier to design, publish and manage content. Functionality built into CMSs easily allows creation and editing of web pages, publishing of blog posts with click-to upload features, easy insertion of media files and quick organisation of content categories.
- Extensive Plugin Ecosystem: popular open source software is typically surrounded by a vast ecosystem of plugins and extensions created by the community. These plugins expand the functionality of the website builder, offering features such as contact forms, e-commerce integration, search engine optimization (SEO), analytics, social media integration, and more. They make it easier to design better websites.
- Mobile Responsiveness: With the increasing use of mobile devices, software that can offer responsive design capabilities is a must. Sites built using these are optimised for various screen sizes and resolutions, ensuring a consistent and user-friendly experience across devices.
- Multilingual Support: Many open source site builders offer multilingual support, allowing users to design sites in multiple languages. This feature is particularly useful for businesses or organisations with global reach.
Top open source website builders
- WordPress: WordPress is one of the most popular builders. It’s easy to use and offers a wide range of customization options through its extensive design library of themes and plugins.
- Joomla: Joomla is another popular open source website builder that offers a powerful content management system and a wide range of design customization options.
- Drupal: Drupal is an open source website builder that is known for its flexibility and scalability. It’s a great choice for building complex sites.
- OpenCMS: OpenCMS is an open source website builder that offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features for building and managing sites.
- MaxiBlocks: MaxiBlocks is a free Gutenberg page builder plugin for WordPress. It provides a comprehensive set of blocks that can be used to create beautiful and complex pages in no time.
Top builders for E-Commerce websites
There are several website builders specifically designed for building e-commerce focused websites. Here are some of the top free website builders.
- WooCommerce: WooCommerce is an open-source e-commerce platform that integrates seamlessly with WordPress. It provides extensive e-commerce functionality, including product management, secure payments, inventory management, shipping options, and various extensions and themes to customise the online store.
- Magento: Magento is an open-source e-commerce platform that offers advanced design features for building scalable online stores. It includes catalogue and order management, payment and shipping options, marketing tools, and a large marketplace for extensions and themes. Magento is suitable for businesses of all sizes, including enterprise-level e-commerce solutions.
Why choose WordPress as your open source CMS
WordPress integrates well with various third-party tools, services, designs and APIs. Whether it’s integrating with social media platforms, email marketing services, analytics tools, ecommerce, or payment gateways, WordPress provides the flexibility to seamlessly connect your site with the tools you need for you to design your website.
Drupal vs Joomla: Which one is better?
When comparing software like Drupal and Joomla, both offer design flexibility, security, and cost-effectiveness. However, Drupal is more suited for complex sites with heavy traffic, while Joomla offers a simpler interface and is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on specific needs and design skill level in coding. For those looking for the best CMS platforms, Drupal and Joomla are both great options to consider for web designers.
Download and install WordPress
To perform a “5-minute install” of WordPress, you can use the simplified installation(no PHP) process provided by many hosting providers. Here’s a step-by-step guide for installing the app:
- Choose a hosting provider that offers a simplified WordPress installation process.
- Sign up for a hosting account and complete the necessary registration and payment steps.
- Once you’ve set up your hosting account, log in to your hosting provider’s dashboard or control panel. Look for an option like “Install WordPress” or “One-click WordPress installation.”
- Click on the WordPress installation option, and you’ll be redirected to a setup wizard or installation page.
- Provide the required information, such as your domain name (or subdomain), directory (if you want to install WordPress in a subdirectory), site title, admin username, and password.
- Review and confirm the installation settings, such as the version of WordPress and any additional plugins or themes that may be pre-selected.
- Click on the “Install” or “Start Installation” button to begin the process. The installation tool will handle the setup automatically.
- Once the installation is complete, you’ll be provided with the admin login URL, username, and password. Make sure to save this information in a secure location.
- Access the admin login URL provided and log in using the admin credentials.
- You’ll be redirected to the WordPress admin dashboard, where you can start customizing your site, installing themes and plugins, and adding content.
How to get started and pick a template
To get started with WordPress, ease of use is one of the key benefits. Follow these steps:
- Define your goals: Determine the purpose of your site, whether it’s a blog, business, design portfolio, online store, or any other type of site. Clarify your target audience, the content you plan to publish, and the features and functionality you require.
- Choose a domain name: Select a domain name that reflects your site’s identity and is easy to remember. You can register a domain through various domain registrars.
- Select a Hosting Provider: Choose a reliable hosting provider that offers WordPress hosting services. Consider factors like server performance, security, customer support, and pricing.
- Install WordPress: Depending on your hosting provider, you may have the option to use a one-click installer or manually install WordPress. Follow the instructions provided by your hosting provider to complete the installation process.
- Customize the appearance: Explore the wide range of WordPress themes available to find a design that matches your site’s purpose and branding. Install and activate the chosen theme, then customize it using the WordPress Customizer or theme settings.
- Install essential plugins: Extend the functionality of your WordPress site by installing essential plugins. Some recommended plugins include security plugins (e.g., Wordfence, Sucuri), SEO plugins (e.g., Yoast SEO, Rank Math), caching plugins (e.g., WP Super Cache, W3 Total Cache), and contact form plugins (e.g., Contact Form 7, WPForms).
- Set up important pages: Design pages for your site, such as the homepage, about , contact , and any other pages relevant to your site’s purpose. Use the WordPress editor to add content, images, and other media.
- Configure settings: Explore the WordPress settings and customize them according to your preferences. Set up your site’s title, tagline, permalink structure, reading settings, and discussion settings.
- Install additional functionality: If you require specific functionality beyond what the theme and plugins offer, consider installing additional plugins or customizing your site using custom code or a page builder plugin.
- Create, publish and design your content: Start creating and publishing content for your site. Write blog posts, add pages, and upload media files. Use categories and tags to organize your content effectively.
- Optimize SEO: Improve your site’s visibility in search engines by optimizing your content for SEO. Use relevant keywords, write descriptive meta tags, and optimize your site’s speed and performance.
- Regularly update and maintain: Keep your WordPress installation, themes, and plugins up to date to ensure security and compatibility. Regularly back up your site to protect against data loss.
- Engage with the WordPress community: Engage with the WordPress community by joining forums, meetups, and online communities. This way, you can learn from others, seek help, and share your expertise.
Using a WYSIWYG website builder
One of the easiest ways to design a website with open source software is to use a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get). These tools let you create and change your site by clicking and dragging things around on the screen, instead of having to write code. Some popular WYSIWYG site builder are WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.
Customizing your web with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
One of the best things about using this type software to design your website is that there are lots of free themes and fonts available. These can help you make your site look great without having to spend any money. You can also use tools like Bootstrap to make your site look good on any device. Building this way is a great way to save money and have more control osver how your site looks and works. With the help of a WYSIWYG website builder and some basic knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, anyone can create a great-looking site.
Making your website easy to use with drag and drop functionality
Another great thing about using open software to build your website is that many tools have drag and drop functionality. This means that you can add things like menus and forms to your site just by dragging them onto the page. This makes it easy for people to use your website, even if they’re not very good with computers.
What is the best open source website builder?
When considering the design of a website, it’s crucial to choose a builder or software that aligns with your specific needs and preferences. Among the top contenders are WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, and Magento. Each of these platforms offers unique features and functionalities, so it’s important to conduct thorough research to identify the software that will best fulfill the requirements of your project.
How can animations enhance my design?
Incorporating animations into a website’s design using a builder or software can significantly boost user engagement. These dynamic elements add a lively aspect to the site’s styling, making it more visually appealing and interactive. This thoughtful use of animations enhances the overall user experience on the website.
Why is documentation important
When designing your website, having comprehensive documentation for your builder or software is invaluable. It assists users in navigating through the various features, aids in troubleshooting, and guarantees that they can make the most of the software’s functionalities. This thorough guidance is essential for optimizing the design process and enhancing the overall effectiveness of the website.
Can I implement different styling options?
Yes, these website builder and design software offer a wide range of styling choices, enabling you to tailor the appearance and design of your website to align with your brand identity or personal aesthetic preferences.
How do cloud-based solutions benefit users?
Cloud-based website builder and design software provide the flexibility to work on your website design from any location. They typically ensure secure, real-time saving and backup of your design work, adding an extra layer of convenience and security.
What are the terms of use I should be aware of?
Grasping the terms of use of your website design builder or software is important, as it clarifies the legal aspects, usage policies, and delineates your rights and responsibilities as a user.
Do the designs created look professional?
Yes, the designs created with these website builder and design software often look professional, reflecting a high standard of quality and aesthetic appeal.
What abilities should I look for in software?
Search for a website builder that balances simplicity and power, equipped with a broad spectrum of design capabilities, including asset management, graphic design tools, and extensive customization options.
How important are design assets in software?
Design assets, such as images, icons, and fonts, are essential components in website design. Utilizing these elements through your website builder or design software can significantly enhance the visual appeal and functionality of your site. Often design assets come pre designed. Or you can get a freelancer to create your designs for you.
WordPress itself
Official Website
wordpress.org – This is the official website for WordPress, where you can download the software, find documentation, and learn more about using it.
WordPress Codex
codex.wordpress.org/Main_Page – This is a comprehensive documentation resource for WordPress, covering everything from installation and configuration to specific functionality and troubleshooting.
WordPress Theme Directory
wordpress.org/themes – The official WordPress theme directory is a great place to find free and premium WordPress themes. You can browse themes by category, feature, and popularity.
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