To someone looking for a quick way to up their online presence, DIY website builders might seem like a great idea. Small businesses, in particular, turn in droves to companies like Wix because of their popularity and user-friendly templates. However, when you turn to these DIY sites instead of hiring a professional web designer, at what cost is this potential disparity in quality going to take on your bottom line?
Most people who seek out these DIY opportunities are really only doing so to cut down on the costs associated with working with an agency. And, sure, adhering to a strict budget is paramount for most companies, regardless of size. However, this idea of cost savings can ultimately be to your detriment, as a truly reliable website and web presence is absolutely necessary to the success of most businesses in this modern day and age. In fact, a finely tuned website is your most important communications asset. Choosing to save on the front end can lead to major disappointment and frustration further down the line.
So, let’s take a closer look at some of the hidden costs of building a website with builders like Wix.
Business Challenges Associated with Using DIY Website Builders
- Lack of Identity – All websites are built as a series of pages from specific templates, and these templates dictate content areas and your site’s overall functionality. But, there is a big difference between custom-designed templates and pre-fabbed, generic templates. Your website is your calling card. It should reflect your brand and message, establishing your business apart from the rest of the competition. To effectively do this, you want a custom-designed template. Web builders like Wix, however, use generic templates. This means that your “unique” website will just look like every other site out there. How does that differentiate your business from the rest?
- Lack of Functionality – Because you are spending less on a Wix site, you can’t expect the same level of advanced functionality that you would get from something that you were to really invest in. For instance, customization is out of the realm of possibilities with DIY sites. These web-hosting sites have strict parameters. So, if you’re looking for something to fully meet both your and your customers’ needs, this isn’t the way to go. You should be using a platform that can be used to its fullest potential.
- Subpar Quality – With web builders like Wix, you simply get what you pay for. Because these DIY sites are cheap to build, you can’t expect the same sort of quality and functionality as you would get with a professionally created site. Just as you put time, money and effort into creating your craft, your brand, and your message to establish your business as a credible, reliable option for the public to invest in, you must do the same for your website. Your website is the virtual face of your organization, and often the first interaction potential customers are going to have with your business. You must put your best foot forward in order to captivate their attention and convert them into loyal customers. A quality, professionally made website can help you do just that.
Your business is valuable, so don’t waste your time on anything less than what it and your customer base deserve. If you want to reach your goals, invest in a user-friendly CMS that will set your business up for long-term success.
