For any business, building a website is essential. Virtually everyone is online. Any firm that wants new customers and to be able to sell more to their existing clients needs to have an online presence. A website is an effective way for potential customers to discover your business, learn about your products and services. As well as a way to contact you directly.

There are two ways to get the website you need. You can either use a website builder service or hire somebody to do the custom website development for your business.

Both options work and have advantages. Below, we explain the pros and cons of the two options, so you can decide which approach is right for you.

Comparing Custom Web Development vs Website Builder Service

Basic Definition

Let's start with a simple explanation of what each of the two approaches is:

• Custom web development – this is the process of designing a website from the ground up that is perfectly aligned with the needs of the business, project, or organization
• Website builder service – this is software that allows you to build a website using a combination of design templates, prefabricated widgets, along with other pre-built elements and components.

Examples of website builder services include:

• WordPress
• Wix
• SimpleSite
• Squarespace
• Weebly
• Shopify
• Site123

Some hosting companies also provide their customers with the facility to build their own site using a website builder service that they provide. Here are some of the firms that offer that option:

• HostGator
• GoDaddy
• NameCheap
• Network Solutions

Considerations When Choosing Between Custom Web Development and Website Builder Service

As we said, both options can work. But there are crucial differences between the two and things that you need to consider when deciding which is right for you. They are:

Time considerations

Creating a website through a website builder service is often quicker. You only need to choose which pre-designed templates and readily available web components you are going to use.

Custom web development typically takes more time. Your web developer has to start from scratch. But in the long run, custom web development is a better investment. The site you end up with will be properly branded, tailored to meet the needs of you and your business. It is also far easier to scale this type of website.

Budgetary considerations

Website builder services are typically less costly. Expenses mostly revolve around minimal hosting fees, SSL certificates, and maybe a few paid-for plugins and widgets.

With custom web development, you will need to pay for the talent of the web developer. As well as for the man-hours involved in planning, designing, testing, implementing, and maintaining your site. So, you will tend to end up paying more.

However, in terms of long-term efficiency, custom web development allows for longer-lasting websites and better overall quality. Plus, if, at a later date, you decide to have a site that was created using a website builder transformed into a custom-built one that is likely to be expensive.

Level of flexibility

Site owners also need to think about the level of flexibility that is offered by each option. With a website builder service, there are quite a few limitations.

You can only use the templates and components provided by the service you are using. As a result, sometimes, you end up with a website that looks similar to another business that is using the same website builder service as you. This makes it harder to differentiate yourself in the marketplace and develop your brand as you would like.

Whereas, when it comes to design and functionality, custom web development provides you with unlimited options. This means that your site can offer things that your competitors cannot to your customer, for example, helpful calculators.

More importantly, you will be able to build a website that perfectly suits your business needs. You do not have to include elements that are useless or redundant.

Website Performance

A custom-built website can be fully optimized for speed. This is good for your customer and will help your website to rank higher in the search results.

SEO

Most website builder services only offer limited SEO tools. With the custom web development option all of the latest SEO tools can be used to create, run, and maintain your website.

Ownership

With website builder services, ownership remains with the service provider. When you have a custom site built you do own your website.

Consult with BrainBox Labs today to find out how custom web development can work for you and your business.

Contact Brain Box Labs Now for Customer Web Development

Our team is ready to create a website that’s perfect for your business. Learn more about our approach to custom web development by doing one of the following:

Getting in touch with us through our online contact form

Calling our phone number or emailing us

Visiting our Toronto office

PRO TIP:

“Website builder services are good for quick solutions, but if you’re thinking long-term, custom web development is a better strategy.”