As a fan of simple to use “what you see is what you get” (WYSIWYG) applications I was pleasantly surprised over the last few days to be testing Basekit, a website builder that allows for easy and attractive website creation.
The system works by allowing users to pick PSD (Photoshop) templates which are geared towards certain users such as artists, traders, photographers and various other sectors. Users can choose from literally hundreds of available templates.
Once a specific template type is chosen users are then able to drag and drop certain functions into their website. For example, you can choose to drag a navigation menu to the top of your template (or any other location you choose) and then add a Google Maps location to the center portion of your page. By layering elements on top of each template Basekit makes it simple to feature certain functions in a matter of seconds.
Much like WordPress, Tumblr and other content management systems the Basekit program also provides a decent set of widgets, for example users can drag their Flickr account into their website or setup RSS, Twitter and Carousel options with ease.
I personally tested Basekit.com with a sub-domain on their system (subdomain.basekit.com) however the site also allows users to point their own domains to their monthly Basekit account, creating a more personalized experience. Users can even add Google analytics to their site to track visitor numbers.
Not only does Basekit allow users to quickly create website pages, it also gives excellent customization options, for example I was able to easily change content fonts, line height and other information using simple drag bars while coloring is just as easy to implement. The program also allowed me to choose which parts of the website I was attempting to modify, for example I could choose different font and font sizes for the body of pages compared to headings.
The Basekit program also allows users to easily setup the columns on their website, for example a user might want a top column for their header and then a content area followed by a sidebar, all of which can be dropped into place by make a simple setup choice.
For more advanced users the program also allows for manipulation of direct HTML and CSS code. After a page is created users can access tabs which allows them to manipulate the base code of their websites.
Throw in the ability to add videos and images with simple drag and drop functions and it’s easy to see how simple it is to create a website using Basekit.
For users looking for distinct web pages Basekit is a great option which provides a decent set of website building options. Drag and drop functions, the ability to customize your entire website via HTML and CSS functions and a sleek interface makes Basekit worth a closer look, especially for users who only need a smaller website that can be easily customized on the fly.
Give Basekit a try today and let us know what you think.
