Hey Guys,

I have been working on creating a new website builder based on an existing opensource content management system but would like to get some advice on if there would be a market for it...

My offerings include 300+ skins, thousands of stock photos, heaps of basic to advanced modules, additional services (content upload, module development, etc). In terms of ease of use of the system, I've spent alot of time on it and seems very promising but I know that it will need refining over the coming months/years as it is fairly easy to use, but not dead simple.

- Is there room on the market for a dedicated web-builder service that offers more advanced modules, etc?

- would customers be willing to learn a new website builder system (easy to use, but may still require some thinking)?

- can a website builder be targeted towards non-absolute-newbies and more towards people who can navigate around a new system?

- do people really care about websites and hosting but to rather leave it up to an expert?

Just been thinking about all this and wondering if i'm wasting my time... please post your thoughts.


SR5k

we have our own website builder, the basic functions are done within 3 months, advanced functions which can benifit more expert users took over a year of work.

finally, we have about 2000 users for this software, almost none of them tried or used the advanced features ...

it is fairly easy to use, but not dead simple.

Simplicity is key for the masses.

- Is there room on the market for a dedicated web-builder service that offers more advanced modules, etc?

The masses want simple, not advanced or confusing.

- can a website builder be targeted towards non-absolute-newbies and more towards people who can navigate around a new system?

Why would they be using a site builder if they are more knowledgeable than a noobie?

- do people really care about websites and hosting but to rather leave it up to an expert?

A lot of small business owners would like to do it themselves but none of the solutions are simple enough, work with a specific control panel/environment, etc.

Simplicity is going to be key and I can't emphasize that enough. You don't sell website builders in the masses based on advanced features, modules, etc., you sell it on website building that *anyone* can do.

Thanks for the input guys!!!

in terms of simplicity and ease of use, what would be considered as basic features (that the masses would use) and what would be considered as advanced features?