Website Builders
I've had a little projected of mine that I've been working on which is a website builder. Initially I started this as just a side project for myself (and another reason I explain below), but after seeing this whole side of bootstrapping and entrepreneurship and such, I got excited the idea of actually releasing a product and having even one user use it. It's not like I'm dropping out/leaving my job to pursue this, but I plan to devote maybe a bit more time to this project so if it goes nowhere, it'll be a great learning experience!
The other reason I was building this is because my friends who know I create websites would always ask me to make a site for their school club or dads restaurant or what have you. These aren't hard websites by any means, a few simple pages, text for users and a decent layout and of course mobile responsive. So instead of having to attend to each one, I got the idea to create this software where you can build it in a total WYSIWYG setting and click download and get the files yourself (not totally sure about that part now seeing as how no one else does this) or pay a subscription fee (super cheap) and it will be hosted for you.
So here's my question, if you are using a website builder now or would maybe consider using one, what kind of features at different price points would you like to see to consider you to switch/start using it. Like what would it take to convince you to use it over something else.
As for what I've already found for that question. Most people have issues with these sites being slow which can be easily dealt with, having bad SEO which I do agree is an issue but could be worked on, and just being clunky in general which I do agree after using Wix for fun, it just felt so slow/weird when using it.
Thanks everyone!
Hey
I'm a big fan/user of Webflow.
It's easy to manage, fast, seo friendly, and I basically can develop every websites I want.
Main problem is the pricing, more expensive than other builders.
I've used quite a few builders, from anything living in WordPress, Shopify, Wix, Squarespace, BigCommerce, etc. Each one of these tools is similar enough, but have their own niche pieces to what makes them unique. Squarespace is perhaps the fastest method of making a clean, beautiful site, but you end up having consistency issues where your site may look very similar to 10 others. BigCommerce allows you to quickly build out a commerce storefront, beautifully, but in my opinion lacks the flexibility that an "enterprise" platform needs, as far as custom development opportunities.
Each platform has an edge, and each has it's downsides. You're in the right spot asking people what a potential niche could be for you to tackle, so just keep that in mind. My dream CMS/builder is maybe an improved version of OctoberCMS (https://octobercms.com). I love being able to write code directly within that, but the customer/WYSIWYG side is lacking. A platform with more customization while maintaining a minimalist nature would be sweet.