Blog
Website Builders vs Custom Code
The growth of your online presence grows inevitable questions. Although the answers you’re looking for might not come easy, especially if you’re just starting your business now.
So here’s the ‘million dollar’ question: turn to a professional to develop a custom website for you or go down the DIY-route with a website builder.
Both options are valid depending on ‘when’ & ‘why’ you’re building a website for your business. So here’s everything you need to know about custom code and website builders to help you make an informed decision.
Website Builders
What is a Website Builder?
Let’s start with the ‘elephant in the room’. You might have heard of Wix, Squarespace or Weebly. These are popular builders that require little to no design background or coding experience. Simply having some good aesthetics will do. The templates provided by these builders are easy-to-use & usually come with a step-by-step guide to make the process as less intimidating as possible.
Why Should You Use a Website Builder?
If you’re a blogger or a hobbyist, then this is the solution for you. One of the benefits of a website builder is that they can get you online fast. Apart from being user-friendly, they also are cheaper compared to custom coding. Some of them are even free, which makes it even more appealing.
Why Shouldn’t You Use a Website Builder?
Sounds interesting? Well freebies are often too good to be true. If you find yourself in one of the situations below, maybe you should reconsider:
- You want something distinctive. Although these builders are simple to use, they lead to unoriginal, generic websites.
- You require advanced features. If your company needs specialized plugins, such as scheduling tools or online shopping features, a website builder is unlikely to support them.
- You must be found on search engines. Most website builders are terrible at SEO, so if your company's success is dependent on its ability to be found online, a custom option is always preferable.
- You must maintain control over your site's responsiveness. Adapting to specific devices is frequently impossible, and if your clients primarily use newer mobile phones (such as the iPhone 8), you may be unable to customize the view for them.
- System integration and marketing automation. Optimizing your analytics and marketing automation is a continuous process that usually entails regular adjusting, which your design/development company can manage for you.
Custom Websites
What is a Custom Code?
A custom code is when reality becomes even better than your vision.
Custom websites, as opposed to website builders, allow for greater personalization, enabling you and your brand stand out from competition. They are also less expensive in the long run, providing better analytics insights, more customized marketing, and a higher return on investment.
Why Should You Use a Custom Code?
Investing in a custom website will always result in a premium product.
They don’t only look more professional, but they also provide a better user experience, and are more likely to accurately represent your brand.
It’s more likely that you need a custom code if:
- You seek excellence. If you want your brand to appear sophisticated and professional online, custom coding is always the best option. It's also the best way to ensure that your website looks distinctive.
- You require unique features. A personalized website is more likely to let you sell products online or integrate advanced apps and programs. Professional developers are up to date on the latest technologies and can incorporate necessary code into your design.
- You care about strategy. Web developers do much more than just make your website look nice: they approach your website with a plan. A good developer understands user experience (UX) and will conduct thorough research into what will make you successful online. They can also integrate tools to improve your SEO and conversion rates.
Why Shouldn’t You Use a Custom Code?
Even though they have numerous advantages, there may be obstacles to using a custom code. Perhaps your website isn't your top priority right now, and you need a quick and easy way to establish an online presence. Or maybe your company is new and you can't afford a custom design right now.
Before using a website builder, we still recommend speaking with a website developer and marketing specialist. They might be able to create a semi-custom website for you using a theme-based approach. This is a faster and less expensive alternative to fully custom websites, with a higher level of quality and customization than a website builder.
