Introduction
We will be comparing website builders and web development agencies across 6 different metrics to determine which is the better option to build your website on. The 6 metrics are customization, scalability, reputation, user experience, seo and most importantly cost.
What are website builders?
Without the need for manual coding, users can develop and publish websites using website builders. Users of these tools can typically choose from a variety of templates and pre-designed website pieces and rearrange them in different ways to build a distinctive website. Examples of website builders include Squarespace or Wix.
To assist customers in building websites with a professional appearance that are suited for search engines and mobile devices, many website builders also provide capabilities like e-commerce integration, SEO optimization, and responsive design. For people and small organisations wishing to establish a website without paying a professional web developer, website builders are a popular option.
What are web development agencies?
Companies that create and maintain websites for corporations and organisations are known as web development agencies. Typically, these businesses provide a variety of services, including as website design and development, e-commerce integration, content management, and search engine optimization (SEO).
Teams of web developers, designers, and other experts make up the staff of many web development businesses. These teams collaborate to construct unique websites that are tailored to the demands and objectives of their clients. View our article on web development agencies for a more complete explanation.
Customization
Website Builders
Customization is the first indicator. Although website builders provide a simple, hassle-free approach to develop a website, they frequently have modification restrictions. You might not be able to completely change the style and feel of your website because they employ pre-designed themes and components.
Web Development Agencies
Working with a web development business, however, enables more personalization and freedom. These companies can develop a special, personalised website for you that is catered to your distinct requirements and tastes. As a result, your website can have the exact appearance you like, making it stand out from the competitors.
Scalability
Website Builders
The fact that there are frequently restrictions on the amount of pages and features that may be added to a website is a significant drawback of website builders. When a result, a company may need to upgrade to a more expensive plan or find a new website builder that can meet its needs as it expands and needs to add more pages or features to its website. Finding a website builder that can accommodate the requirements of your expanding business might be a burden because it takes more time and research.
The overall cost of using a website builder can also go up if you switch to a more expensive plan or use a different website builder, which might not be an option for all organisations.
Web Development Agencies
Web development firms, on the other hand, are far more scalable. When you work with a web development company, you have the option of building a completely unique website that caters to your unique business requirements. This implies that you can collaborate with the web development company to update and expand your website as needed to meet your changing needs as your business expands and changes. You may scale your website as much as you need to with the help of a web development business without worrying about hitting limits or having to use a new service.
For instance, you may simply engage with the web development company to have a new page added to your website, and the cost will often be a one-time fee rather than an ongoing investment. Additionally, your website will continue to be online and operational even if you decide to cease working with the web development company. This is due to the fact that your website is wholly yours, as opposed to being affiliated with another business.
Reputation
Website Builders
Using a website builder may damage a brand’s reputation since people may notice it and think it shows a lack of professionalism. Visitors may recognise the fundamental designs of many website builders right away, and the names of the website builders’ companies are frequently shown at the bottom of the page for the less expensive plans. Even some website builders might put advertisements on your website. This could damage the brand’s reputation by giving the idea that it doesn’t have its own website and is relying on a generic or inexpensive solution.
When using a website builder, there is a chance of receiving poor design. Website builders frequently give consumers a selection of templates and design components to choose from. But if the design components picked don’t go well with the brand’s identity and look, or if the design is sloppy or ugly, it could reflect poorly on the company and damage its reputation.
Using a website builder can increase the risk of poor design. Users can frequently select from a variety of templates and design components while using website builders. The brand’s reputation could be damaged if the design elements picked, however, do not adhere to the branding and aesthetic of the company, or if the design is sloppy or ugly.
Web Development Agencies
However, working with a web development business can greatly improve a brand’s reputation. A web development company can create a personalised website that is specific to your brand and business, giving you an edge over rivals. The website will be specially created to match your unique business objectives and to be in line with the style and values of your brand.
Picking the wrong web development business to work with can have negative effects on your brand’s reputation, so it’s crucial to carefully analyse your options. A low-quality web development company could demand exorbitant prices for a shoddy website that is unattractive and unusable. This could result in a waste of resources and a website that is ineffectively meeting your company’s needs. To prevent this from happening, check our article on how to evaluate web development agencies.
User Experience
Website Builders
Website builders can provide a more streamlined and simple procedure for building a website, which can improve user experience. The procedure of adding information and altering the design is typically simple, and their templates and design tools are usually simple to use. The limited customization choices, however, can lead to a less distinctive and customised user experience.
Web Development Agencies
Web development companies, on the other hand, can provide a more individualised and customised user experience since they collaborate with you to design a unique website that addresses your unique demands and objectives. However, because you’ll need to explain your vision and goals to the agency, working with a web development agency may take more time and involve more input from you.
SEO
Website Builders
In-built SEO tools and features, such keyword optimization and sitemaps, are frequently provided by website builders to assist in enhancing your website’s exposure in search engines. It could be more challenging to fully optimise your website for particular keywords and phrases due to the modification options’ limitations.
The tools offered by website builders might not be adequate for fully optimising your website for search engines because SEO encompasses a wide range of different aspects and considerations. The calibre and applicability of your content, your website’s layout and navigation, the availability of outside links, and the technical functionality of your site, such as page speed and mobile friendliness, are a few factors that might affect your website’s SEO.
When it comes to SEO, website builders do have some significant disadvantages. One big problem is that some websites contain proprietary code, which makes it difficult for search engines to index and rank those websites. Because of this, it could be challenging for your website to rank well in search results and draw in organic traffic.
The websites created by website builders might also be slow to load, which can further harm your site’s SEO. Slow-loading websites may appear lower in search results since search engines take page speed into account when determining rankings.
Also, due to the fact that websites built with website builders look the same, this can also hurt SEO. Google’s official guideline on SEO mentions that your website should stand out from competitors.
Web Development Agencies
The level of customisation and support required to effectively optimise your website for particular keywords and phrases may not be offered by website builders, even though they may offer some basic SEO tools and capabilities, such as sitemaps and keyword optimization. If you want to increase the SEO of your website, you might want to think about working with a web development company that can provide a more thorough and specialised approach to SEO.
Cost
Website Builders
As they provide a simple and economical way to design a professional-looking website without any coding experience, website builders can be a cost-effective starting point. Many website builders provide low-cost monthly memberships or free plans, making them an excellent option for small businesses or individuals wishing to develop a simple website.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that website builders often require monthly fees to keep your site active, so your costs will continue to accrue. The cost of a website builder’s monthly subscription fee may eventually rise depending on the services and tools you require.
Web Development Agencies
On the other hand, because you’ll have to pay for the creation and design of your website, working with a web development agency may initially cost more money. However, after the website is finished, there typically aren’t any ongoing expenses other from hosting. This indicates that hiring a web development company rather than using a website builder may end up being more affordable in the long term.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both website builders and web development firms have advantages and disadvantages, and the ideal option for you will rely on your needs, preferences, and financial constraints. Although they provide a quick and inexpensive solution to design a simple website, website builders could have certain customization and functionality restrictions.
Over time, the continued monthly subscription prices may increase. Although they are typically more expensive up front, web development organisations offer a more individualised and thorough approach to website construction.
The best option for you will ultimately rely on your needs and financial situation. A website builder might be an excellent option if you’re just getting started and searching for a cost-effective solution.
However, a web development company might be a wise choice if you’re willing to pay extra up front for a fully functioning and attractive website. It’s crucial to thoroughly weigh your options and select the one that best satisfies your demands and objectives.
