OK so I'll come clean. I asked ChatGPT to write me a short blog post about free website builders. Since the output was quite interesting, I thought I'd use it, and also answer each point from a Voice perspective, be it good or bad!

Ease of use

Look for a website builder that is user-friendly and easy to navigate, especially if you're new to website building.

Voice maybe isn't the very easiest to use, but it certainly isn't the most difficult either! You can get started quickly with a simple site and keep adding more and more pages and applications until you get exactly what you want.

Customization options

Choose a website builder that offers a wide range of customization options, such as templates, themes, and plugins, to make your website unique.

Voice doesn't have a lot of different templates/themes, but the ones that are here are very customisable. You can change colour schemes, fonts, and layout options on all the Voice themes to get a look that fits your needs.

You can also upload custom CSS to give your site a completely different look, or ask Voice Online Communities to customise one for you.

Mobile responsiveness

Ensure that the website builder you choose offers mobile-responsive templates, as an increasing number of people are browsing the web on their mobile devices.

All Voice themes are mobile-responsive with no extra effort required by the website admins. Some website builders require you to create different pages for mobiles and desktops, but on Voice this is all handled for you by the system.

SEO features

Look for a website builder that offers built-in SEO features to help optimize your website for search engines.

Voice doesn't have specific SEO tools built in (e.g., you won't find anything that'll optimise your keyword density or whatever). However, all sites are automatically submitted to all the major search engines, and whenever you add/modify a page this is submitted straight away. Voice also provides a sitemap.xml for search engines to read, to ensure all your content is fully and quickly indexed.

If you choose to use your own domain with your site (which is also free - you just need to buy the domain), you can then use one of a range of different SEO tools. There are lots available, many of which are very good, and there's no point Voice trying to compete with them!

eCommerce capabilities

If you plan to sell products or services through your website, choose a website builder that offers eCommerce capabilities.

OK, you got us there. Voice does not have any eCommerce tools. If you want to build an online business then Voice is not for you. Though since Voice is targeted at voluntary organisations, clubs, schools, and other non-profits, this is unlikely to be your major consideration.

Customer support

Make sure the website builder you choose offers adequate customer support, such as email support, live chat, or phone support.

The recommended way to get support is via the Forums, where you are guaranteed an answer! For more in-depth problems you can contact us by email.

Security

When you're choosing a free website builder, make sure it has adequate security measures in place to protect your website and its visitors.

Voice uses SSL everywhere, ensuring that access is secure. If you add your own domain name then Voice will automatically create an SSL certificate for you. This is also free!

We also regularly back up the system and ensure that the hosting is secure.

Price

While the website builder itself should be free, be sure to check if there are any additional costs, such as hosting fees, that you may need to pay.

It's all free. There are no additional costs!

 

By considering these factors, you can choose the best free website builder for your needs, whether you're creating a personal blog, a small business website, or an online store.

 

So there you have it! If you're looking for a free website builder, then maybe Voice is the one for you!