When it comes to your website – there are is a vast array of options out there – from the well-known entities, like Wix, SquareSpace, GoDaddy & Pitchero, to those lesser-known in the mainstream – like Zyro, Web.com, and Site123, the market is saturated with options for your website builder – and they’re all straightforward and built with enough features to get you online in a matter of hours. The question on so many minds is this: Is using a Website Builder better than using an Agency/Developer to build something for me? Unfortunately, the answer is not as simple as you might like it to be.
A badly-designed site will shut down users as soon as they see it, and they won’t even see what you’re saying, or any products/services you sell, they’ll be gone before they can scroll any further. Firstly, you need to determine your needs: An eCommerce system? Regular content/Blogging function? What about contact forms, user profiles, and how does it need to look? Now that we’ve thought about needs, let’s take a look at solutions:
1)Templated/D-I-Y Builders: This tool allows for website building using pre-made, generated content: Pages built for general use, then the content changed, by you, replaces it, making it ‘yours’. You don’t need any knowledge, or skill to set up a website using a Website Builder.
2)Design & Development using a Professional: Using a professional to build your website allows for a much more unique, bespoke Website, it will be tailored to your specific wants, and your own styles, choices & plans, as well as your personality, will shine through and you end up with something personal, and powerful for your brand. Not to mention that some Designers & Developers, like us, offer many services, outside of just the basics, like optimising your site to get higher on google, marketing assistance, and ongoing support for all of your needs. Depending on the complexity of your project, and your expectations with the budget, if you line up everything you need, then Bespoke builds using professionals is the No.1 way to go.
3)Hybrid Theory: If custom development is out of your price range, but you want a unique look & feel, then you’ll be happy to know that you can have the best of both worlds! Using an out-of-the-box template, and taking the theme & customising it to your personal specifications, you can have the custom look & feel, without the completely bespoke development.
For Hybrid work, Shopify & WordPress are the most effective platforms – you can easily put together a site, plan & template, and then call in the support of a seasoned development team like us!
If you need a little more help than this article offers, please get in touch with us HERE and we’d be happy to give you a helping hand, to get you looking in the right direction.
