Building a website with Kualo - your options explained

So, you want to build a website?

That's awesome. But before you start, take a deep breath - because this is one of those moments where infinite choice is both exciting and slightly terrifying.

There are so many ways to build a website. Some are fast and simple. Some are powerful and flexible. Some require you to become a full-fledged code wizard.

But let's assume you want to get your website live without spending three months lost in a coding tutorial rabbit hole.

The good news

At Kualo, you have three main ways to build a website without needing a PhD in Web Development:

1. ProSite - our drag-and-drop website builder.
2. WordPress - the world's most popular website platform (but let's do it the smart way).
3. Softaculous - one-click installs for all sorts of powerful web apps.

Let's break these down.

Option 1: ProSite - the "click, drag, done" route

If you want a website but don't want to touch code, ProSite is your best friend.

It's a drag-and-drop website builder - which means you can literally grab elements (text, images, buttons, forms), move them around, and create a professional website without writing a single line of code.

Why choose ProSite?

• Instant setup - no installation, just log in and start building.
• Gorgeous templates - start with a stunning design and tweak it.
• Mobile-friendly by default - your site will look great on phones and tablets.
• Built-in SEO tools - so Google actually finds your site.

Who should use it?

• Small business owners who want an easy-to-manage website.
• Freelancers who need a simple portfolio.
• Anyone who wants a no-fuss website without hiring a developer.

Who shouldn't?

• If you need a highly custom or scalable website, WordPress is probably a better choice.

Option 2: WordPress - the "I want more control" route

WordPress is by far the most popular way to build a website. And for good reason:

• It powers over 40% of the internet.
• It's endlessly customisable - build anything from a blog to an eCommerce store.
• It has plugins - want a contact form? A membership site? A booking system? There's a plugin for that.

Now, if the words "installing WordPress" send shivers down your spine, relax - with WP Toolkit in cPanel, getting started is easy.

WP Toolkit: WordPress, without the hard bits

• One-click install - no database setup or files to upload, just hit install and go.
• Manage everything from one dashboard - plugins, themes, security, and updates.
• Stage your site - test changes on a copy of your site before making major changes.

Choosing a WordPress theme (and why you should think about page builders)

If you've ever browsed the WordPress theme marketplace, you'll know there are hundreds of thousands of themes out there.

Some are gorgeous. Some are outdated and abandoned. Some look great in the demo but turn into a nightmare when you try to customise them.

The truth? The best themes are flexible ones that work well with page builders.

Themes vs page builders - what's the difference?

Think of a theme as the foundation of your website's design. It controls the overall layout, typography, and styling - but some themes lock you into rigid layouts that are hard to customise.

A page builder, on the other hand, gives you full control over your page layout, without needing to write a single line of code.

The best approach is to choose a lightweight, flexible theme and pair it with a powerful page builder - so you're never stuck with a theme that looks good in the demo but refuses to cooperate in reality.

Best themes and page builders for WordPress

Let's break down some winning combinations that will make building your site easier, more flexible, and future-proof.

Best all-rounder: Spectra + Astra

What it is: Spectra is a block-based page builder, designed to integrate seamlessly with the Gutenberg editor (the default WordPress editor).

Why it's great: Lightweight, fast, and flexible - it's perfect for modern WordPress sites.

Best paired with: Astra - a fast, highly customisable theme that works beautifully with Spectra. There's also Spectra One, a free theme optimised for Spectra, but Astra offers more flexibility for different site types.

Kualo's AI Starter Site plugin is built on Spectra, so if you want a full website generated for you, this is the route to go. Find out more about AI Starter Sites.

Best for beginners: Beaver Builder + Themer add-on

What it is: Beaver Builder is a drag-and-drop page builder that lets you design pages visually, with no coding required.

Why it's great: Super intuitive, stable, and developer-friendly. Plus, it doesn't lock you in - if you ever deactivate it, your content stays clean.

Best paired with:

• Astra, GeneratePress, or Kadence - all lightweight and optimised for performance.
• The Beaver Themer add-on - which lets you customise headers, footers, and archives.

Best for stylish, feature-packed sites: Divi (theme + builder in one)

What it is: Divi is both a theme and a page builder, built by Elegant Themes.

Why it's great:

• Comes with hundreds of pre-designed layouts.
• Packed with features (animations, effects, split-testing).
• No need for a separate theme - it's all-in-one.

Best paired with: Itself! The Divi Theme and Divi Builder are made to work together. Great for designers who want full creative freedom but don't want to mess with code.

Best for speed and simplicity: Breakdance + any minimal theme

What it is: A newer page builder that's rapidly gaining popularity.

Why it's great:

• Lightning-fast, even with complex designs.
• Super intuitive UI (easier than Elementor).
• Works with WooCommerce for eCommerce sites.

Best paired with: Astra, GeneratePress, or any minimal theme. Breakdance is a fantastic middle ground between simplicity and advanced design capabilities.

Option 3: Softaculous - the "I want something other than WordPress" route

WordPress is great. But it's not the only way to build a website.

Maybe you're launching a full-blown online store. Maybe you want to create an online course. Maybe you're nostalgic for forums (remember those?). Or maybe you just like the idea of using something other than WordPress.

Softaculous is here to make that easy.

What is Softaculous?

Think of Softaculous as the app store for your web hosting. It lets you install over 400+ web apps with just a few clicks - no manual file uploads, no database setup headaches, no "wait, how do I install this?" moments.

Instead of wrestling with installation guides, you just:

1. Click install.
2. Grab a coffee.
3. Log in and start building.

Softaculous also handles automatic backups and, for certain apps, it can also handle updates, so you're not stuck maintaining everything manually.

Popular apps you can install with Softaculous

Depending on what you're building, Softaculous has some powerful alternatives to WordPress. Here are some of the big ones:

Running an online store?

If you're selling products, you need an eCommerce platform that can handle inventory, payments, shipping, and all the fun stuff that makes an online shop work.

• Magento - a heavyweight eCommerce solution used by big brands. Extremely powerful, but best if you have a developer or are comfortable with tech.
• PrestaShop - more user-friendly than Magento, with lots of built-in features. Great for mid-sized stores.
• OpenCart - lightweight and flexible, perfect for small businesses looking for a simple store setup.
• AbanteCart - a lesser-known but powerful alternative, good for entrepreneurs who want an easy-to-manage store.

Want a website without WordPress?

Not everyone loves WordPress. If you're looking for an alternative content management system (CMS), here are some solid choices:

• Joomla - one of the biggest WordPress competitors. More flexible than WordPress but comes with a slightly steeper learning curve.
• Drupal - used for complex, high-performance sites (think universities, government sites, big brands). Not beginner-friendly but extremely powerful.
• Grav - a modern, flat-file CMS that's super fast and easy to deploy (no database required).
• ClassicPress - a fork of WordPress designed for people who don't want the Gutenberg block editor.

Want to build a community or forum?

Maybe you want to create a thriving online discussion hub. Social media might rule the internet, but forums still have their place - especially for niche communities.

• phpBB - one of the oldest and most trusted forum platforms. Highly customisable.
• MyBB - more modern than phpBB, with a simpler user interface and great plugin support.
• SMF (Simple Machines Forum) - lightweight and straightforward, great for small forums.
• Vanilla Forums - a sleek, modern forum platform with a built-in reputation system.

Creating an online course or learning platform?

If you're building an e-learning platform, Softaculous has some excellent tools.

• Moodle - the most popular Learning Management System (LMS). Used by schools, universities, and corporate training programs.
• Chamilo - a lighter alternative to Moodle, easier to set up and manage.
• eFront - great for businesses looking to create an employee training system.
• Claroline - a simple and effective LMS for online courses.

Want to build a wiki, CRM, or something else?

Softaculous isn't just for websites - it also lets you install tools for businesses, knowledge bases, and even personal projects.

• MediaWiki - the same software that powers Wikipedia. Perfect for internal wikis or knowledge bases.
• Dolibarr - a free CRM and ERP solution for businesses.
• osTicket - a popular helpdesk system for handling customer support.
• NextCloud - your own self-hosted cloud storage, like Dropbox but under your control.

Whatever you're creating, Softaculous probably has an app for it

From online stores to forums, learning platforms to business tools, Softaculous has a one-click solution for almost anything you need.

Pick the right app, install it with a click, and start building - without the hassle of manual setup.

So, which website building option is best for you?

• Want the easiest, no-code route? ProSite is for you.
• Want a powerful, flexible website? WordPress + WP Toolkit + a page builder.
• Need a specific app for a niche website? Softaculous is your best bet.

No matter what route you take, your website is in good hands with Kualo. 🚀