The best alternatives to WordPress in 2020
Also in 2020, entrepreneurs and companies will build and maintain their own website. The most widely used CMS worldwide is therefore a do-it-yourself CMS called WordPress. Previously, WordPress was only used for blogs, in 2020 it will be a complete website builder. However, WordPress is quite complex and difficult to maintain. For an extension such as translations, dozens of plugins are available, free and paid for, and you have to figure out yourself which one best suits your situation. Sometimes plugins clash with each other, programming knowledge is needed or there are too few or too many options. We therefore looked for the best alternatives WordPress in 2020.
Three disadvantages WordPress
Why do people look for alternatives to WordPress? These three main reasons are mentioned most:
- Too many plugins. Countless plugins of varying quality are available. Many users opt for the free plugins, but they cause a slower website and that has a negative effect on the search results.
- Security. WordPress plugins are made by small companies and amateur developers as a hobby project. Many therefore contain bad code with almost no support.
- Maintenance. WordPress is updated to new versions and also the various WordPress plugins. That is not a question of turning the button, because sometimes outdated plugins do not work with the new WordPress version. With every WordPress update, about eight a year, you have to check if all plugins still work as you want.
In short: three major reasons for looking at WordPress alternatives in 2020.
JouwWeb - Drag & Drop
JouwWeb is a comprehensive web service that allows you to create a website very intuitively using drag-and-drop functionality. You place the building blocks of your website, text blocks, illustrations and videos exactly where you want them. JouwWeb comes with modern designs and also offers the possibility to build a webshop yourself.
JouwWeb integrates with Google Analytics, so that you have a clear view of your website visitors and their behavior. This allows you to improve the user experience in a targeted manner and to verify which traffic sources lead to which conversion. JouwWeb offers its own domain name, mailbox and webshop functions. In addition, JouwWeb has support in Dutch.
Wix - Appmarkt but closed
With Wix you build via a website by dragging elements to the page. This means you don't have to have much knowledge of programming. The website can be set up easily without coding a single letter. You can go through the so-called app market also add extra functions to the website.
Just like in WordPress, website builders can start a blog. Here too, categories and apps are used. The service is completely free, but does show advertisements on your website. You can buy a professional subscription, so that the advertisements are removed. This subscription costs less than ten euros a month.
A disadvantage of Wix is that you have to color very well within the lines. It is really built for those who want a website but have no technical knowledge. The source code is also not immediately available, which means that people with some technical knowledge cannot make changes to the HTML or CSS code.
Weebly - Start a webshop quickly
Weebly is suitable for creating almost any type of website. Basically it is a fairly simple web service: you quickly build a good looking website with a so-called 'drag and drop editor'. This means that you only have to drag elements to the page. The service has countless available themes ready so that you can find a style that suits you.
There is a large company behind Weebly, namely Sequoia Capital. This company is also an investor in Google. This is reflected in the image of Weebly; it looks pretty professional. For e-commerce, Weebly offers fewer advanced features than WordPress, but these are pre-installed correctly. This is particularly useful for small starting web stores.
This service is also recommended for starting entrepreneurs who need a website quickly. The following also applies here: for people with some technical knowledge, it is less suitable. At Weebly you can take a professional subscription, so that you can link your .nl domain to the website.
Website machine - Easy, complete and personal
The Dutch Website machine offers you the possibility to quickly put together a website for companies and projects. Regardless of the choices you make, your website will always look good. The great thing about this service is that it also includes a so-called 'Content Management System' (CMS). This makes it easy to manage the content of your website.
The monthly subscription contains everything that is needed: your own domain name with SSL certificate, daily backups, different formats, fonts and a library with free high-resolution photos for every atmosphere. The website is always up to date, without construction or start-up costs. The latest technology and functions are automatically available. As a result, new formats, atmospheres, fonts and modules automatically appear in the CMS and technical improvements are unnoticed on the website. And if you can't figure it out, you can be helped personally by a person.
Grav - Stylish but technical
If you are really looking for a CMS and not so much for a website builder, you could give Grav a try. With this system it soon becomes clear that it was made by designers. As a result, even the standard theme can soon be used for a sleek, fresh website.
However, this system does not use a database. That is why we call this a NoSQL system. Despite the lack of a database, there are many options. For example, plugins (extra functionalities) can be added for a contact form or a map.
The disadvantage of Grav is that you must have some technical knowledge. For example, the system must be uploaded via an FTP program and a few technical operations must be performed. This is really intended as an alternative to WordPress and not as a simplified website builder.
Typesetter CMS - WYSIWIG & Technical
Typesetter is also a NoSQL Content Management system and website builder in one. It is an alternative to WordPress, but also for every simple website builder that can be found there. It has a very good 'WYSIWYG editor'. That sounds complicated, but it isn't. 'WYSIWYG' stands for: 'What You See Is What You Get' In other words: the way your website looks in the editor, it will also appear to the visitor. As a result, you don't have to memorize formatting codes.
Under the 'Performance' button you can request per page how quickly a page loads. It is a fact that pages that load quickly score better on Google. That is why it is important that you know the loading speeds so that you can see how you can optimize this.
Here too, the disadvantage of Typesetter CMS is that some technical knowledge is required. For example, the system must be uploaded via FTP and a technical installation must take place. Another disadvantage is that the system itself is less intuitive than other systems. It is certainly more complicated than the services we mentioned earlier in this article.
Basekit - Cheap & Bugs
Basekit is one of the cheapest professional website builders on the web. For just one euro a month it is possible to build a complete website. You choose from around 150 responsive templates. This means that your website is also displayed well on smaller screens, such as a mobile, tablet or laptop.
You set up a page based on blocks. These blocks are divided into text, title, images, forms, social media, video, audio and columns. Setting up a simple webshop is also no problem.
Unfortunately, this service has a large number of bugs. Sometimes there are error messages when saving. That is why it is better for the quality of your website to choose one of the other services from our list. Moreover, there is no Dutch support. But the fact remains: it is cheap.
The best WordPress alternative in 2020
WordPress and its alternatives have one thing in common: you can do it all yourself. You mainly choose to build, manage and maintain your website yourself. You are the owner of your most important marketing tool. And you don't have to choose WordPress like everyone else: there are countless alternatives as you see. Set up the reasons for searching for a WordPress alternative, your wishes now and for later and the level of convenience and technology that you are pursuing. Make a distinction between the so-called nice to have's and the must have's: the things that are necessary for your company and things that are above all fun. Is personal support in Dutch important to you? Then choose Website machine. Are you mainly concerned with price? Then Basekit is the cheapest, but realize that the bugs will take your time. Is design important to you? Then look again at Grav, made by designers.
You guessed it: even in 2020 there is no best WordPress alternative. But a better solution for your website can certainly be found.
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