We build custom websites, so you might expect us to say everyone needs one. Not true. Here's an honest look at both options.
When a website builder makes sense
- You're just starting out and need something online this week.
- Your budget is tight and you're comfortable doing it yourself.
- Most of your customers come from referrals, and the site is mostly a digital business card.
- You enjoy tinkering with design and writing your own pages.
The trade-offs of builders
- Templates look like templates. Many competitors may be using the same design.
- Speed can suffer from heavy scripts and unoptimized images, and speed affects both rankings and whether visitors stick around.
- You do the work: design, copy, SEO, and updates all land on you.
- Monthly fees add up over the years, and moving away later can be painful.
When a custom website is worth it
- Your customers search online before they call, and you're competing with other local businesses.
- Each new customer is worth hundreds or thousands of dollars.
- You want pages for each service and area to show up in more searches.
- You need to look established and different from competitors.
- You'd rather run your business than build a website.
Side by side
Cost
Builders: low monthly fee plus your time. Custom: higher upfront cost, lower time cost, and often lower ongoing fees.
Design
Builders: template-based. Custom: designed around your business and customers.
Speed
Builders: varies, often slower. Custom: can be tuned to load fast on phones.
SEO
Builders: basic tools you set up yourself. Custom: structure, local pages, and technical SEO built in.
Ownership
Builders: you rent the platform. Custom: make sure your contract says you own the site and content.
Rule of thumb: if the website's job is to bring in new customers who don't know you yet, it's usually worth doing properly. If its job is to confirm you exist, a builder is fine for now.
Not sure which you need? We'll tell you honestly.
Ask us →