Wix, Squarespace, and GoDaddy Website Builder are all very popular ways to create a website. I can understand why many businesses take this route. These tools allow anyone to create a website and get their business online. Why would people spend hundreds, thousands, and even hundreds of thousands to create a website?
There are lots of reasons! I like this analogy:
"Why do people still visit restaurants when they can have a microwavable tv dinner?"
Obviously, I'm slightly biased, however I urge you to do your own research and come to your own conclusions.
1. Human vs Machine
No DIY website builder is capable of doing market research, competitor analysis and keyword analysis. This is one of the first steps that any web designer / marketer worth their salt will take. You need to find out what works, why it works, and why something different may work. This can be specific for regions and different types of business. Content, layout, page structure, design and tone all need to be decided on with careful consideration. These are things that developers learn over several decades.
2. Leave it to the professionals
Sure, you can watch a youtube video and know how to rip out a bathroom and put a new one in. Does this mean you should? Probably not. There are some skills that you need to hone over many years to perfect. To add to that, websites and web development is changing at such an incredible pace. Look at amazon 10 years ago. The design has changed significantly, and the way it has been designed and deployed was unimaginable 10 years ago. Most business owners don't have the time to invest to learn about all of the things that are important in web development. Even web developers that have been doing it for a long time can fall out of touch if they don't keep themselves invested in learning.
3. Customer satisfaction
If you create a website with a website builder, more often than not, you will come back to a web developer further down the line. Just take a look at some of the reviews:
"DON'T GET SIGNED WITH WIX YOU WILL REGRET"
"Horrible customer service"
"They make it very difficult to cancel your plan, I have been trying to get help for over a month and they did nothing but answering with vague emails."
"I am an idiot for not checking trust pilot. I looked around on google and this seemed to be the best way to set up a site for rookies."
"The online help is narrow and limited and I never seem to be able to get an answer to any problem I have. Performance wise, the Editor has become slow and buggy. I am now exploring a local web design company to transfer my sites away. I have invested around £1k with this lot so far but not any more. Be warned."
4. Extra functionality
Website builders are not yet capable of more in depth development. However this may change in the future!
You can read more articles here:
www.mctweb.co.uk
What do you offer to clients to persuade them away from website builders?
Top comments (6)
Why 1 against another? Why not together? There are builders such as webflow that allow you to do almost anything a basic website needs (I have been in this industry long enough to know that 90 percent of websites out there are just basic). You get something beautiful, quick, lowcost, high standard code quality, and you can do it yourself or with the help of designer or developer.
So you mean web developers using a site builder? It is debatable that they output a high standard of code. I haven't been in contact with many webflow sites, however wix code output is horrendous.
I think once the standards improve a bit more then I can see them being a good solution for basic sites- however as mentioned I feel that there needs to be a human with experience to get SEO and content to a high standard.
Check out webflow :). What I meant by high quality standard is that if the website builder team is competent, they can generate very consistent, well tested code. Of course you may not compare that with the work of an expert, highly skilled developer yet. But the amount of incompetent developers is just so dang high that sometimes it's better to go with consistently-good-result?
I'm not trying to argue against a custom solution in anyway. But not many people/business have the required resources for that. And you cannot ask skilled developers to work for cheap, or can you?
I'm also a big Webflow supporter and user! It allows you to build websites in a relatively short time without compromising on the design quality!
In today's digital age, having a website is crucial for businesses and individuals alike. When it comes to creating a website, there are two main options to consider: using a website builder or hiring a web developer. Each approach offers its own set of advantages and considerations. This essay aims to explore the factors involved in choosing between a website builder and a web developer, assisting you in making an informed decision.
A website builder is a user-friendly tool or platform that allows individuals with little to no technical expertise to create a website quickly and easily. Here are some key points to consider:
Website builders are designed to be intuitive, offering drag-and-drop functionality and pre-designed templates. This accessibility allows beginners to create websites without the need for coding knowledge or experience.
Website builders often provide affordable plans that include hosting services, domain registration, and maintenance. This budget-friendly approach makes website builders an attractive option for individuals and small businesses with limited financial resources.
With website builders, you can leverage pre-designed templates and components, significantly reducing the time required to build a website. This speed is advantageous when you need a simple website up and running quickly.
Website builders typically offer integrated tools for managing updates, security, and backups. These features simplify the maintenance process and provide technical support, allowing you to focus on your website content rather than technical aspects.
A web developer is a professional who specializes in creating websites from scratch or customizing existing platforms. Let's examine the considerations associated with hiring a web developer:
Web developers can create highly customized websites tailored to your specific requirements. They possess the technical expertise to implement unique designs and advanced features, offering a higher level of flexibility compared to website builders.
If you anticipate your website growing in terms of traffic or requiring complex functionality, a web developer can create a scalable solution. They have the knowledge and skills to handle expanding requirements and integrate third-party services, databases, and APIs as needed.
Web developers are well-versed in coding languages, web standards, and best practices. This expertise ensures that your website is built to high-quality standards, optimized for performance, and adheres to industry guidelines.
While web developers provide custom solutions, it is important to consider long-term maintenance and updates. Unless you possess technical skills, you may need to rely on the developer for ongoing maintenance, modifications, and support.
When deciding between a website builder and a web developer, several factors should be taken into account. Website builders are ideal for individuals or small businesses with limited budgets, minimal technical expertise, and simple website needs. They offer ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and quick website deployment. On the other hand, web developers are suitable for those requiring highly customized websites, advanced functionality, scalability, and have the budget to invest in professional development.Personally, I became a developer thanks to courses on goit.global/ph/.Ultimately, the choice depends on your specific requirements, budget, technical expertise, and the level of customization and scalability your website demands. By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and ensures the success of your online presence.
Pretty interesting perspectives, but it really depends on what a person or business needs, usually bigger companies go for a human developer, while all the others are more drawn to the web builders, mostly because there are a lot of free options that you can choose from. All of this is personal experience for me, just as for a lot of other people, because let's be honest, who doesn't try to create a web at least once? I've tried a lot of different platforms, and my opinion is that you have to find whatever fits your personal needs the best.