Creating a website for your business is no small task, and there are all sorts of options available to you from the traditional, professional web-design route to the fast (but possibly problematic) website builder. While website builders can seem like a great option, there are some serious downsides that may not be so obvious – and you need to know all the facts before you sign up. Read on to learn the downsides of website builders and what you need to be aware of.

1. What’s the Catch With Website Builders?

Website builders have made it incredibly easy for non-techies to create beautiful websites – but there’s always a ‘catch’. You’ll have limited control over your website, which is probably the biggest downside.

• Design & Layout: Website builders provide a limited selection of page designs and page layouts. While it’s easy to customize colors and fonts to match your brand, you can’t easily use more creative design elements.
• Hosting: Most website creators use proprietary hosting. If the server goes down suddenly, there’s not much you can do. You also cannot switch hosting providers quite as easily.
• Branding: Website builders often use their branding on page elements such as the navigation menu, footer, search bar, etc. You can’t remove this branding as easily as you would on a self-hosted website.

All these limitations come with the convenience of website builders, so you’ll have to make a call based on the needs of your website. If you don’t need complete control over design and can live with a few branding elements, a website builder probably won’t be an issue. On the other hand, if there is a possibility of any custom design or coding later on, you may be better off starting with a self-hosted solution.

2. Stifled Creativity and Limited Options

Fire Squelching Ideas

Creativity should be encouraged, yet the lack of options can impede its ability to spark. Innovation is often met with a sense of fear that can quench even the most creative of ideas. When creative freedom is limited and boundaries are imposed, creative energy can be stifled. It’s as if a large invisible fire door slams shut, cutting off the free flow of ideas.

Boxed In Thinking

Confining creativity to a box creates a space that severely limits the potential for imagination and improvement. What starts as bold creativity can quickly become mundane and static. Thinking inside the box implies the limits of creativity can never be breached, robbing us of the chance of achieving excellence. By extension, the opportunity to educate and inspire is also stifled.

3. Risks With DIY Website Development

You may be tempted to start developing your own website, but it is a risky endeavor. DIY website development can quickly lead to unwanted trouble, so it is important to be mindful of the risks when taking this route.

• Lack Of Customization – Most DIY platforms offer strict settings for your website or have limited customization options at best. This may not be the best platform to use if you are looking for a unique design or special features.
• Lack Of Professional Support – DIY website development does not include the services of an experienced web professional, such as a web designer or developer. Without this skilled help, you may be unable to troubleshoot any issues that arise on your website.
• Security Vulnerabilities – When developing your own website, you may not be aware of the necessary steps to safeguard your site from potential security threats. This could leave your website open to malicious hackers or data breaches.
• Limited Scalability – As your business grows, your website needs may change. However, DIY website builders often have limited scalability options, which can make it difficult to expand your website’s functionality and features. This can limit your ability to attract and retain traffic over time.

Developing a website on your own is a daunting project, and is usually not the best choice. It can result in a poorly designed website that fails to meet your expectations, as well as security risks. Consider hiring a professional if you want to create a website that is high quality and safe.

4. The Struggle To Attract Traffic

Are you struggling to attract traffic to your website? Are you using a DIY website builder to create your website? If so, you’re not alone. Many businesses are finding it difficult to get the traffic they need from using a DIY website builder.

The Downside

Using a DIY website builder can be a great way to get your website up and running quickly and easily. However, it can be difficult to get the traffic you need to make your website successful. There are a few key things you can do to help increase your website’s visibility and attract more visitors.

• The first step is to make sure your website is optimized for search engines. This means making sure your website is properly coded and that it contains relevant keywords and phrases. You should also make sure your website is easy to navigate and that it has a clear call to action. Additionally, you should be actively promoting your website on social media and other online platforms.

The Solution

Traffic is essential for any website or app to be successful, so it’s no surprise that attracting people to your web page–or even application–can be a daunting and hefty task. However, fear not! Thanks to the many existing tools, there are quite a few ways you can draw attention to your website:

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Using social media to attract attention
• Paid advertisement

To make the most out of SEO, it’s important to have a well-planned keyword strategy that hits the right targets. Using the appropriate keywords will allow your site to be more easily picked up by search engines, helping to drive organic traffic. Additionally, making use of social media can be an efficient way to bring attention to your page and draw in new users. You can do this by creating content and content ideas that your followers will find interesting. Finally, with paid advertisement, businesses can target the correct audience they want to reach – such as those who live in a certain area or who have visited the site in the past.

5. Saying Goodbye to Your Website Builder

Change is an inevitable aspect of life, and when it comes to your website, it can be particularly pertinent. Although it may prove to be a challenging undertaking, it is often a necessary one. To help you in this process, I have compiled a list of five crucial factors to consider when transitioning away from your website builder.

• Transfer your content: Make sure all of your valuable content — such as blog posts, photos, and videos — can be transferred to the new website. Check the documents, templates, and other files containing the bulk of your content.
• Choose a domain: Decide on an appropriate domain name that speaks to your new website’s theme and target visitor. You can also transfer over any existing ones you’ve registered.
• Check compatibility: Take the time to assess different website builders and make sure they work with your platform, device, and host before making the switch.
• Contact customer service: If you have any questions or concerns, don’t be afraid to reach out to the customer service of your current website building service for help.
• Back it up: Make sure to backup all of your content and files before making any changes. This will ensure that you won’t lose any data during the transition process.

It can be tough, but it should also be a liberating experience. With the right preparation and resources, you can make a smooth transition and bring your website to a whole new level of success.

6. Building the Right Website with Professional Help

Every website is unique and selecting the right development team is critical. You will want to choose a team that complements your vision, brings a variety of experience to the table and is willing to work with you as a collaborative partner. Here are a few tips to ensure that you choose the right professional help:

• Interview thoroughly: Utilize the interview process to make sure that the developer you’re considering is suited for the task. Ask in-depth questions about prior experience and look at their portfolio.
• Be specific:Well-defined end goals are the best way to ensure that the project will go smoothly. Having a clear target helps everyone stay on the same page and prevents costly confusion down the road.
• Seek customer references: Customer references can provide additional peace of mind. You can get a real-world look at the quality of the final deliverables, as well as personal feedback about the working relationship.

Building the perfect website requires patience, a good budget and the right team. Spend time looking for the best fit for your project and take the time to ensure that you’re working with the ideal provider. Doing the proper research can save you from a lot of headaches down the road.

Finding the right website builder can be tough, but with the right information, you can make sure you don’t come out any worse for wear. With awareness of the downsides, you’ll be better able to make an informed decision and build the website of your dreams.