Understanding website builders for small business owners
Website builders are user-friendly platforms that allow you to create a website without needing coding skills. Popular examples include Wix, Squarespace, IONOS, GoDaddy and WordPress.com. These platforms offer drag-and-drop features, customisable templates, and a range of plugins or add-ons to expand your site’s functionality.
Pros of using a website builder:
Cost-effective: One of the most significant advantages of using a website builder is the lower cost. Most platforms offer subscription-based pricing, with some even having free plans, making them an affordable option for small businesses with tight budgets.
Ease of use: Website builders are designed with non-technical users in mind. Their drag-and-drop interfaces make it simple for anyone to build a website, regardless of technical expertise.
Quick to launch: If you need to get your website up and running fast, a website builder can help you do that. The templates and intuitive design features allow you to create a professional-looking site within hours.
Pre-designed templates: Website builders come with a variety of pre-designed templates tailored to different industries, so you can choose a look that aligns with your brand without needing a designer.
Cons of using a website builder:
Limited customisation: While website builders offer a range of templates, the level of customisation is often restricted. This can be limiting if your business needs a unique design or specific functionality beyond what the platform offers.
Generic designs: Since many other businesses may use the same templates, your website might not stand out, which can make it harder to differentiate your brand from competitors.
Scalability issues: As your business grows, you might find that the functionality of website builders doesn’t meet your evolving needs. Adding advanced features like eCommerce, booking systems, or membership portals can be challenging without paying for higher-tier plans.
The benefits of hiring a professional developer
Hiring a professional web developer involves working with an expert to build a customised website tailored specifically to your business. This route typically provides more flexibility and scalability compared to a DIY website builder.
Pros of hiring a professional developer:
Fully customised design: A professional developer will create a website that is unique to your business. From the layout and colour scheme to specific features, everything can be tailored to reflect your brand’s identity.
Advanced functionality: If your business requires complex features like an online store, customer login areas, or integrations with third-party software (e.g., CRM systems), a developer can build these elements into your site seamlessly.
Scalability: As your business grows, a custom website built by a developer can easily scale. You won’t be constrained by the limitations of a website builder, and you can continually evolve your site to match your business’s needs.
SEO optimisation: A professional developer can build a website optimised for search engines from the ground up. While website builders offer basic SEO tools, a developer can fine-tune your website’s speed, structure, and mobile performance to boost your rankings.
Cons of hiring a professional developer
Higher costs: Custom websites built by professional developers typically come with a higher upfront cost compared to website builders. This can be a significant investment for small businesses that are just starting out.
Longer development time: Depending on the complexity of the project, it can take several weeks or even months to develop a custom website. If you need a site launched quickly, this may not be the best option.
Ongoing maintenance: A custom-built site may require more maintenance, and you might need to hire the developer for updates, security patches, or additional features, adding to the long-term costs.
A balanced solution: Website builders for small business owners
For small business owners who want to maintain control over their website while keeping costs down, leveraging a website builder can be an excellent solution. Here at The Marketing Launch, we have services that include creating a website for you on a website builder, ensuring it meets your business needs and reflects your brand identity.
Benefits of this approach
Affordable setup: By utilising a website builder, you can significantly reduce upfront costs compared to hiring a professional developer for a custom site. This is especially beneficial for startups and small businesses with limited budgets.
User-friendly management: Once I hand over the website, you will have the tools and knowledge to easily update and manage it yourself. This empowers you to make changes, add content, or adjust features without needing technical assistance.
Customisable design: While using a website builder, I ensure that your site is uniquely designed to align with your brand’s vision. We can select a template that fits your aesthetic and customize it to make it stand out in your industry.
Scalable growth: As your business evolves, I can help you explore additional features and upgrades available on the website builder platform. This means you can grow your website alongside your business without the need for a complete overhaul.
For small business owners, the decision between using a website builder or hiring a professional developer is crucial. While website builders provide a cost-effective and user-friendly solution, hiring a developer offers unique benefits in terms of customisation and scalability.
However, with my website services, you can have the best of both worlds. By creating a tailored website on a website builder, I enable you to keep costs low while ensuring you have the flexibility to manage and update your site as your business grows.
Let’s work together to build a website that not only meets your current needs but also sets you up for future growth.
