User:Skcommunity/Draft rewrite Website builder

Draft rewrite of Website builder

Website builders are tools that allow the construction of websites with limited or no manual code-editing.

Website builders can be separated into two categories: downloadable software and hosted solutions. Тhe latter category would also include hosted versions of self-hosted, open source Content Management Systems (CMS) like WordPress and Drupal. Both categories include proprietary as well as open source solutions.

Downloadable software applications run on a user's computer, and are used to create pages offline that can then be published on any host. This type of software application is also often referred to as HTML editors, rather than website builders.

Hosted website builder solutions are typically accessed via a web-based interface. Generally, a user has to register and log in, after which an editor or dashboard interface gives access to site and content management, as well as design features. Hosted website builder solutions generally also offer hosting and other related solutions, though exceptions do exist (example needed).

History
The first websites were created in the early 1990s. These sites were generally hand-coded in HTML.

Later, software applications with WYSIWYG interfaces were developed to help create web pages.

Following increased availability of broadband internet (citation needed), as well as the widespread acceptance of JavaScript and Adobe Flash, online website builders started to appear in the early 2000s.

HTML editors
An HTML editor is a software application for creating web pages. Although the HTML markup of a web page can be written with any text editor, specialized HTML editors can offer convenience and added functionality. For example, many HTML editors work not only with HTML, but also with related technologies such as CSS, XML and JavaScript or ECMAScript. In some cases they also manage communication with remote web servers via FTP and WebDAV, and version management systems such as CVS or Subversion.

History
Hosted website builders started in the early 1990s with services like Homestead, Geocities (then BHI) and Tripod.

Geocities was acquired by Yahoo! and eventually shut down in 2009. Tripod, which was acquired by Lycos in 1998, and Homestead, acquired by Intuit in 2007, are both still in operation.

From 2006 on, a number of new services were launched, including SiteKreator (2006), Weebly (2006), Wix (2007) and Yola (2009).

Features
Hosted website builder solutions are all WYSIWYG editors. Most are based on JavaScript and generate HTML-based websites. Exceptions include Wix and Moonfruit, which have a Flash-based editor and generates Flash-based websites, and SnapPages, which uses a Flash-based editor, but generates HTML websites. Cubender bridges the gap between the two, and offers both.

Generally, hosted website builders offer some form of drag-and-drop interface to add elements to the pages.

Hosted website builders typically use widgets or modules to enhance functionality. These widgets or modules allow users to embed videos from YouTube or similar platforms, Google or other maps, or to create feedback forms, among others.

Hosted website builders that target businesses, like Homestead, Adobe Business Catalyst and SiteKreator, typically offer features associated with business sites, such as mailing lists and e-commerce.

Proprietary vs. Open Source
Most hosted website builders are proprietary systems. Exceptions are WordPress.com, which is based on the open source WordPress CMS, and DrupalGardens.com, which is based on Drupal.

Some proprietary systems are also available as white label products.