Web Development vs. Website Builders. What’s the Best Choice for Your Business?
Any company needs a good online presence to prosper. A well-built website well is your online face that can draw customers in and promote your company — all of which ultimately leads to your business making sales.
If you are new to this topic, you might stumble onto a crossroads, though. Should you choose a website builder or find a web development company to do a custom job for you? Each option comes with its advantages and limitations, so the right choice depends on your long-term goals and technical needs.
This article explores the key differences between website builders and custom web development. We’ll weigh all the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision. Without further ado, let’s start with the basics.
Understanding Website Builders
A website builder is an application that allows users to construct a website from pre-designed templates and drag-and-drop components. Website builders are designed to be user-friendly, and little to no coding ability is needed.
Here are the key benefits of website builders:
- Low Cost and Easy Setup. Website builders provide an affordable method of creating a website for small businesses and startups. Most of the platforms include free plans or cheap monthly subscriptions.
- No Coding Skill Required. Anyone can develop a website with a simple drag-and-drop menu and pre-made elements.
- Hosted and Integrated Security. In all website builders, hosting, SSL certificates, and security elements are included.
- Pre-designed Web Templates. Those builders offer a myriad of templates for different needs and purposes.
And here are some drawbacks that might hold you behind the competitors:
- Restricted Flexibility. Web builders offer customization but only within the frames of the templates and features that are offered.
- Scaling Challenges. As businesses grow, many choose to move away from builders onto a custom website. That’s because web builders can be restrictive in terms of adding advanced features or handling increased traffic.
- SEO Limitations. Most web builders have built-in SEO features that can help you attract organic traffic, but they primarily cover the basics.
- Ownership and Portability. Websites built on these platforms are tied to the provider, and it is difficult to move to another service later. Cheaper plans will also include the website builder branding on your page.
As you can see, there are both pros and cons to using this option. What about custom jobs offered by a professional website development agency like Implex?
Understanding Custom Web Development
Custom web development involves having a website created from scratch or with the help of a content management system (CMS). This approach provides full control over design, functionality, and performance. Medium to large businesses typically turn to professional developers to create unique websites.
Benefits of custom web development:
- Complete Personalization. Businesses can create a custom website that is fully in line with the branding and business goals.
- Performance and SEO. Mobile friendliness is one of the key goals in development, and search engine optimization is tailored to your specific needs.
- Designed to Grow. A custom website can grow with your business and support new features. This includes various third-party plugins and more.
- Ownership. Unlike website builders, custom websites grant total ownership and control to businesses. Companies can host their sites wherever they want and change them how they want.
Potential disadvantages of custom services:
- Initial Investment. Unique sites cost more compared to website builders, considering there’s much more custom work and specialized knowledge involved in making it happen.
- Longer Development Cycle. Creating a website from scratch requires more time, considering all the functionalities and integrations it might need.
- Ongoing Maintenance. A custom website needs regular maintenance. Professionals like Implex usually handle hosting management and security updates even after the initial launch.
As you can see, hiring a team specialized in web app development might be both beneficial and disadvantageous, depending on your needs and capabilities.
Key Factors to Consider for Your Business
If you are still choosing between a website builder and custom web development, it’s good to consider the following factors:
- Budget. A website builder is a better solution for a tight budget. However, if you look at your website as a long-term investment, then custom development might give you a better value.
- Business Goals. If you need a simple one-pager, then a website builder should be enough. However, if you need complex features, then custom development might be a better option.
- Scalability. Growing businesses will eventually outgrow any website builder. A custom site is a more scalable option.
- User Experience. If you want total control over design, then custom development is a better option. If you only need a simple look, then a builder would be enough.
- SEO and Performance. Custom sites are more responsive, but builders do offer basic optimization features.
As you can see, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Take your time and consider, which option will be a better one for your needs specifically.
Best Options for Different Types of Businesses
Each company requires different functionality. Let’s break down what option works best for different types of business models.
Small businesses and startups might benefit more from website builders. They are a cheaper option and quicker to launch. Not to mention, if you don’t have any experience in web design and development, this option is more accessible.
The best option for e-commerce businesses might be to hire a company that handles web development. Why? While site builders are convenient, custom websites are more scalable and accommodate personal branding better.
For enterprises and growing businesses, it’s best to turn to custom-created platforms. Large businesses tend to need more complex features. They also usually attract higher traffic, which simple sites might not be able to handle.
Conclusion
There are plenty of pros and cons to choosing either option. That might not be particularly reassuring if you are only starting, as we tend to want a quick and easy answer to any question. Do not worry, though, as the best thing you can do here is to define your business goals and capabilities to find a fitting solution.
The baseline is this. A website builder might be enough for more straightforward needs. However, if you have a growing business that needs complicated features, then custom development is the way to go. Other than that, take your time to explore available options. Good luck!
