Creating a website can be overwhelming with many tools available, leading to uncertainty. However, it is crucial to make an informed decision to prevent future frustrations and time wastage.
While the website creator is widely used and highly recommended, it may not be suitable for everyone, as there are at least five scenarios where it may not be the most optimal choice.
Track the post to determine when the website builder may not be the right fit for you! 😉
You desire the freedom to move your website to any location.
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Every website designer operates under a company that owns the platform enabling both them and numerous users to build websites independently.
This system is under ownership, and users pay a monthly fee as a form of tool rental. Websites created on this platform are tied to it and cannot be transferred to a different company.
The causes of this situation extend beyond the company’s control and are linked to platform programming and operation. Each website creator uses a unique editor, making it difficult for a site created on one platform to function properly on another. Compatibility problems would likely arise if it did work.
When a user switches platforms after creating a site using a particular tool, they must create a new site on the new platform, which is a common drawback of website creators.
How to proceed when transitioning to a different platform.
Switching platforms can be a challenging task, but users can use the existing texts and images for the new site and replicate the site’s structure in the new tool. On the bright side, it presents an opportunity to build a better site than the current one.
Be cautious to avoid taking the site offline or losing the existing Google index. Redirecting the domain to the new tool and maintaining the site URLs will address some of the issues.
If you plan to build a website and grow with it over time, make sure to carefully evaluate your choices and select a tool that will serve your needs in the long run to avoid switching later on. Consider using a platform like WordPress (.org) that offers flexibility to take your website in any direction you desire.
You are experienced in web design or development.
If you are knowledgeable in IT, you may choose to create your website using coding or open source platforms such as WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, which are not only free but also offer greater flexibility and scalability.
Website builders are appealing choices, but they come with certain restrictions that can be frustrating for technical users accustomed to coding and customizing sites themselves.
Creating a WordPress website is achievable for individuals with limited technical skills who are eager to learn. We provide a tutorial on our website that guides you through the process of setting up a WordPress site in a few simple steps.
If you have experience in web design or development, you will find plenty of improved options to build your website.
SEO is crucial for attracting an audience as part of your overall strategy.
For a while, website creators had a reputation for not being welcoming to users. However, over time, they have shifted their focus to include SEO due to its importance in improving online visibility. Today, top website creators provide essential SEO features.
You can modify details on your website like titles, page descriptions, and URLs to show up on Google search results. Having user-friendly URLs and a mobile-responsive site can improve your visibility in mobile searches.
That is quite useful, but it’s not enough when it comes to discussing SEO.
Professional SEO is a different matter.
Doing SEO professionally is challenging and requires ongoing effort, involving various internal and external factors such as website performance, content relevance, mobile compatibility, and site authority, among others.
Many online businesses rely on organic traffic for success, which is closely tied to SEO. So, if your website’s success hinges on generating a significant amount of organic traffic, then a website creator may not be the best option for you.
Although these tools have advanced significantly over time, they are still not fully optimized to enhance your SEO, and you lack access to the code for making required adjustments.
A helpful tool provides assistance
WordPress is a user-friendly platform that is highly compatible with search engines. Its setup is efficient, and with the installed version (WordPress.org), users can personalize almost every aspect of their website to enhance its appeal to searchers.
Having a WordPress website alone will not guarantee it ranks first for a specific keyword; achieving that requires considerable effort beyond just selecting the platform.
Professional SEO and website creators currently do not work together. If your online business relies on organic growth and you are interested in investing in SEO, opt for a tool that lets you customize all aspects of your site.
You intend to start a blog.
Several website builders offer blog features, but they are typically limited. Blog functionality in these tools is beneficial primarily for website owners who wish to share news with existing customers rather than generate organic traffic.
If you aim to establish a professional blog, there are more appealing tools available. Despite being an established and older platform, WordPress (self-hosted) stands out as the top choice due to its flexibility.
WordPress, developed as a blogging platform like Blogger, grew in popularity to become the most commonly used content management system online, with a current usage rate of 28% globally.
You intend to establish an online shop.
Most website builders are not recommended for creating a virtual store, except for a few like Wix that provide e-commerce solutions suitable for Brazil.
Not providing e-commerce can be intentional, as some platforms may not require features specific to online stores. Additionally, international creators may overlook adapting their stores to cater to the Brazilian market, including payment methods like boleto.
If you are planning to establish an online store, it is recommended to thoroughly research the tool or explore alternatives like pre-made virtual stores or open-source platforms like Magento, OpenCart, or Prestashop, as they are specifically designed for this function and are likely to perform better in this regard. 😊
Who is the site creator intended for?
The website creator may not be suitable for everyone, as each site has unique requirements. Similarly, WordPress may not be the best option for everyone, despite its popularity.
The site creator is recommended for many individuals, as evidenced by the popularity of Wix, which has over 90 million users. Unlike the hosted version of WordPress, it offers a wider range of options.
I will list some scenarios where it may be the perfect solution:
- If you wish to establish a website for an institution, individual, or local business;
- If you wish to make a website for free to experiment with.
- If you wish to build the website yourself without any technical expertise;
- If you prefer not to rely on external entities to build and manage your website;
- If you seek a user-friendly tool that requires no plugin upgrades, security maintenance, or hosting management as these tasks are handled by the company.
If you related to any of the points mentioned and decided to use a website builder, my suggestion is to carefully select your tool. Before making a commitment, it’s advisable to test it out first. Many tools provide a free version or offer a trial period of up to 15 days, giving you ample time to assess and familiarize yourself with the tool.
Explore our review of top website builders to discover and evaluate various tools, features, and pricing options before selecting and trying out the most suitable one for your website. 🙂
Published on 04/07/2017 and revised on 12/07/2018.
