Are Website Builders Worth It? No!

When you build your very first website, you're going to have a lot of options to choose from. Choosing the right one to meet your needs can be a little daunting. You've got DIY website builders, CMS platforms like WordPress, and even the option to hire a designer to build your site for you.

 

In recent years, we have seen an explosion of new website builders coming onto the market. These builders are great ways to build your very first website. But they're not perfect for every kind of website.

 

Below, let's take a deep look at the question: are website builders actually worth it?

 

First, What Are Website Builders?

Website builders are tools that allow you to quickly build a beautiful website without any prior coding knowledge. They usually exist as completely separate platforms, such as Squarespace, Weebly, and Wix, or as add-ons for certain hosting packages. They are mostly used to build smaller websites, as opposed to large-scale content websites.

 

These online site builders typically allow you to choose a template and drag and drop different elements until you are satisfied with the design. Some are equipped with built-in hosting, while others have to pay for hosting separately.

 

Advantages of Using a Website Builder

Using a website builder can be quite useful for some kind of website owner. If you want to create a simple and functional website for as little time as possible, then it's worth testing. Below, let's take a look at some of the biggest reasons people decide to use website builders when creating their first website.

 

1. It's a quick and efficient way to get your site online.

If you have limited time, the web builder is definitely the way to go. Website builders are designed to make the construction process as quick and efficient as possible. You start the process with a set of pre-designed templates and themes, ready to use tools and add-ons, and sometimes even pre-populated content. All you need to do is enter your own content and images and print them out.

 

1. Zero Tech Skills Required for a Gorgeous Site.

Website builders are designed for people who have little or no technical skills. Since website builders mostly use drag-and-drop technology, you can visually arrange your website until you have something you like. You can do things like upload images, change text and font, change color scheme, and more with a simple click of a button. The templates are also designed by professionals, so you are virtually guaranteed to end up with a professional-looking site.

 

Disadvantages of Using a Website Builder

 

1. It could be difficult to scale.

With website builders, you are often limited by the size of your site. If you're trying to build a massive content site, you're going to have some restrictions on the builder. It's possible to build sites with hundreds of pages, but you're going to work against the platform instead of having a tool that supports you. If your goal is to build a massive content website, then you're much better off using CMS like WordPress.

 

1. You don't have complete control of your site.

With many website builders, you are technically not the owner of your website. It's more like renting a space on the web instead of buying a virtual property. It's usually possible if you want to migrate your site, but it's going to be quite difficult to modify your site without your previous builder.

 

There is also a chance that your site may be taken down because you do not comply with their terms of service. Since you generally do not have a separate hosting account of your own, the future of your site is out of your control.

1. Overall Functionality Can Be Limited.

With site builders, you're limited to what you can do with your website. If you want something simple, they're working perfectly. But if you want to build custom features and have complete control over the future of your site, then you're going to face the limitations of the platform. If you want to build a heavy site feature, you're going to have to come up with a workaround, or work without a full feature.

 

Is a Website Builder Right for You?

It's easy to see why website builders are such a common choice nowadays, especially for beginners who want an online website as soon as possible. However, they are not the best fit for users who are trying to grow a large-scale website.

 

If you're unsure, take one for a spin and see if it has the necessary features, but keep in mind that may not be the best choice in the long term.

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