Exploring Site Builder Choices

Want to see what various websites look like, depending on which tool was used to build them. Browse these sites created by Positive Energy Works. The sites that are starred with "*" indicate sites that are typical jumpstart websites, in scope and features.


SiteKreator sites

Advantages: Easy to do slideshows, clean, easy to use, full featured tool, multiple levels allowed including submenus, robust editor

Disadvantages: Not much variety in layouts, doesn't have built in database functionality (encourages use of outside database ZohoCreator which is quite powerful)

Nii Noi Arts*
Graphic Designer and Painter of Ghana

Africa Centre

African cultural connection for Colorado

Positive Energy Works

This site!

Africa Travel Centre

African photographic safaris

Circle Round Restorative Best Practices*

Restorative justice facilitation and training

Selasee

Afro-pop musician extraordiaire

Trident Energy Services

Energy efficiency consulting

Microsoft Office Live sites

Advantages: No monthly fee, Automatic email contact management, easy slideshows, works with other OfficeLive applications including collaborative shared documents

Disadvantages: Fewer template designs, a bit buggy at times (especially when using non-Explorer browser)

Maputo Mensah*

Master drummer, dancer, performer. Leads cultural tours to Ghana.

Learn Ga Now*

Local language of Ghana, Ga audio and print language lessons

Acrobatic Warriors of Africa*

Acrobats of Ghana


Yahoo Site Solutions sites

Advantages: More creative templates

Disadvantages: Single level of page menu, unable to do slideshows, difficult to talk to a live person when you need one


GoDaddy Website Tonight sites

Advantages: Easy slideshows, interesting template layouts

Disadvantages: More difficult to use than some of the others with unexpected editing views at times


WordPress.com
Advantages: No monthly fee, excellent blogging and comment functions, ability to add regular webpages (not just a blogging tool)
Disadvantages: Limited look of formats (you can tell it's wordpress). For some of the features, you'll need wordpress.org which is not 100% online as it requires hosting on your computer or another server.
Positive Energy Works has not created a site with this tool, but it's ideal if what you really want is a basic site, you like the layout of wordpress.com and want a blog, with the ability for comments. requires hosting on your computer or another server.
BaoBao Festival

Other ways to go...
Joomla is a full featured open access system. A bit more complicated but endless possibilities. I don't think this is well-suited to beginners.
SiteBuildIt! is a package that helps you not only build the website, but develop idea, domain name, keywords, and a potential revenue stream from your site.
Full Partner is a package for businesses that want it all...customer database, online store, website content all interlinked. Pay them to set it up, then you maintain it.

Disclaimer: Advantages & disadvantages comments are based on our experience, and are general in nature. Most tools offer custom options that can help you get around an issue if you like the tool, but need some additional feature. Positive Energy Works is working to become an affiliate of some or all of these site builders, which provide a commission fee based on referrals.
What's a site builder anyway?

All of these site builders have these features:

  • 100% online (all files used are maintained online ...think of your yahoo or hotmail account)
  • login with username and password
  • ability to manage pages: add, delete, change properties such as title, description
  • add text boxes and photos
  • multiple design templates to choose from
  • automatic menu creation as you add pages
  • ability to link to another page or to an external link easily
  • intuitive interface (some a bit easier than others, but if you use Word & Excel, these won't be a problem)
  • provides an easily maintainable system that doesn't rely on someone's individual computer