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So, you’re looking to build a new website? Whether you’re an independent blogger or a large-scale business, an impressive, informative and user-friendly website is the cornerstone of any successful online presence. If you’ve already spent some time researching your options, you’ve learned very quickly that the decision-making process can be overwhelming! So which option is right for you and your business?

Many of the providers and services you may be evaluating can be broken down into two categories: Web Designers and Website Builders. Web Designers are those companies or individuals that work with you to build a website that is designed specifically around your unique needs and wants (Like us!). Website Builders are online tools that help you create your own website by providing themes and services that you can utilize. Squarespace, Wix, Shopify and Weebly are just a few examples of Website Builders.

Both categories are valuable in their own ways and can provide you with an appealing website, however, each have advantages and disadvantages depending on your goals and objectives. Let’s start with the advantages of each.

Advantages

Web Designer

If you’re looking for the greatest flexibility in your website’s design and functionality, hiring a web designer is the best option for you. First, web designers can provide custom, tailored designs that complement your unique business message and goals. Second, minimal if any technical knowledge is required by you in the website building process. All you need to do is tell your designer what you like, and they will take care of the rest. Finally, the web designer handles nearly all of the work required in building and designing the website, freeing up your valuable time.

• Custom, tailored designs
• No technical knowledge required
• Frees up your time

Website Builder

If you’re looking for a cheap and easy solution in getting a simple website up and running as quickly as possible, using a website builder may be a good option for you. First, website builders are generally designed to be user-friendly and easy to set up, although in our experience this isn’t always the case. Second, website builders are often on the lower end of cost when it comes to getting a website for you and your business. Finally, if you have a good idea about what information and images you want to use in your new website, setup can take a relatively short amount of time.

• Generally easy to use/set up
• Low cost
• Fast setup

Disadvantages

Web Designer

As for the disadvantages of hiring a web designer, the first thing that will come to mind is the cost. However, as they say, “you get what you pay for”. The second disadvantage is a potentially longer time to launch as compared to an off-the-shelf website builder. Building a great website is a collaborative process and takes time and planning. Finally, you’ll need to spend some time researching web design companies to determine which has the best combination of quality and price. While one company may pride itself in the quality of its work, another’s strong suit may be getting the job done quickly. It pays to do a little research to find someone with a portfolio of website designs that you like.

• Higher cost
• Longer time to launch
• Quality variations

Website Builder

One of the primary complaints about website builders is the limited designs. Many website builders will only have a select amount of templates to choose from. As a result, you may not find a design that really fits what you were looking for. The second disadvantage is spending a lot of your own time finding images, writing content, and learning the system. Finally, you are limited by what features the platform has to offer. Some platforms may offer eCommerce. Others may offer a type of membership system. In most cases, no system is going to be the perfect solution for all your website needs. Some additional research may be required to find the best option for you.

• Narrow design template choices
• Increased time and resource commitments
• Limited customization options

Which Is Right For You?

Now we’re back to our original question: Which option is right for you? While we may not be able to give you a definitive answer for every situation, here are a couple critical factors to keep in mind.

What is Your Budget?

If your budget restraints are strict, hiring a web designer may be unrealistic for the time being. However, using a website builder doesn’t mean you can’t have a solid website. These platforms enable you to, at the very least, establish a web presence. In the future, you can revisit your website and hire someone to build exactly what you want.

If you’re looking at the second or third rendition of your website, need some additional functionality, or are just better established and want a more ‘professional’ look to your website, hiring a web designer may be the best option!

What Are Your Goals?

When deciding between a web designer and a website builder, ask yourself “What are my goals?” How big is this project? What features do you want? How many man-hours are you willing to invest? Each of these questions can help determine which service to go with.

If you’re willing to put in the hours, or only need basic features, a website builder may be more cost-effective. If you’re looking for something a bit more robust, or don’t have the extra time, a web designer is the way to go.

Conclusion

Whether you’re planning your first website or thinking about an upgrade, we hope we were able to clarify the important steps and choices in the decision-making process. Still unsure about what to do next? Contact Round4 today! We would be happy to talk with you about your website goals and help determine what the best solution would be for you and your business!