A common misconception about website builders is that they are easy to use. While their ads may make it seem like you can have a website up and running in minutes, the reality is that there is a learning curve involved. Website builders have their own interface and way of doing things, which can take some time to get used to. And they are limited to starter websites. WordPress, however, is a scalable platform that can grow with your business. Whether you are just starting out or are running a large content library, WordPress can handle the needs of your business.
But here are 6 more specific reasons why I believe that WordPress websites are a better choice than website builders for building a business website. Let’s dive in.
1 – WordPress Websites Allow More Customisation Than Website Builders
WordPress is an open-source platform, which means that it is free to use and can be customised to suit your needs. This is in contrast to DIY website builders, which often require you to pay for access to certain levels of customisation.
Both WordPress and website builders like Squarespace, Wix, and Ionos offer a wide range of ready-made themes to choose from. However, WordPress has a significant advantage in terms of theme selection. There are thousands of free and premium themes available that can be used to create a unique and professional-looking website. You can also hire a web designer to create a custom theme for you.
Additionally, WordPress themes are often more flexible and allow for more fine-tuning and control over the design. In my 20 years of building websites, I never came across a theme that was just perfect for me as it is. So customisation is something I highly value.
In contrast, DIY website builders typically offer a smaller selection of pre-made, mainstream themes. While they often claim to offer drag-and-drop customisation options, in my experience, these are limited. Making significant changes to the design of a theme can be more than challenging.
2 – WordPress Websites Got Rich Functionality
WordPress is also highly customisable in terms of functionality. With the vast number of plugins available, you can add virtually any functionality to your website that you need.
Plugins are small pieces of software that can be added to your website to enhance its functionality. With over 55,000 free plugins available in the WordPress plugin repository, you can customise your website to do almost anything. Whether you want to add a contact form, integrate your website with social media platforms, or improve your site’s SEO, there is a plugin for that. This level of customisation is not possible with website builders, which offer limited options for extending functionality.
Another advantage of using WordPress is its scalability. As your business grows, your website will need to grow with it. With WordPress, you can add new features and functionality to your website as your business expands. Website builders, on the other hand, often have limitations on the number of features you can add to your website. Once you reach their limit, you’ll need to upgrade to a more expensive plan or switch to a different platform altogether. This can be costly and time-consuming, especially if you’ve already invested a lot of time and effort into your website.
Furthermore, WordPress has a large and supportive community of developers who are constantly creating new plugins and resources. This means that there is always a wealth of different options and support available, when creating a specific solution for your coaching or consulting business.
3 – WordPress Is More Cost-Effective Long-Term Than Website Builders
Although you have to pay for hosting, a WordPress website can be more cost-effective long-term than relying on an all-in-one solution like Squarespace, WIX or Ionos. With DIY website builders, you are typically locked into a specific pricing plan that includes hosting, but may not offer all the features you need long-term. Often they have attractive prices for the first year and increase prices steeply once you get into year 2 or need to upgrade to achieve more.
In contrast, hosting a WordPress website allows you to choose a hosting provider that fits your specific needs and budget. And you can easily switch to another provider to benefit from attractive offers. You can always select a hosting plan with the exact features you need, such as fast load times, high uptime, and advanced security measures. Additionally, you can upgrade or downgrade your plan, giving you more cost control.
4 – WordPress Websites Can Be Better Optimised For Performance
Choosing the right hosting provider for your WordPress website can significantly improve your website’s speed and overall performance. A fast website is crucial for improving user experience and search engine rankings. Many hosting providers offer features like content delivery networks (CDNs) and caching, which can help speed up your website and improve its performance.
Website builders offer a one-size fits all approach. So any extras to improve speed and performance are difficult to come by.
Additionally, WordPress is designed to handle large amounts of content, so your website can continue to grow without slowing down.
5 – WordPress Offers Higher Security Standards
WordPress websites can be more secure than those built on DIY platforms. While website builders typically offer basic security fetures, they may not provide higher levels of control like a WordPress website. With WordPress, you can choose from a wide range of security plugins. Here you can implement specific measures to keep your website safe from hackers and other security threats.
6 – WordPress Works With The Best SEO Tools
While many website builders offer basic SEO functionality, they can be challenging to professionally optimise for search engines. This can be frustrating if you rely on search engine traffic to drive visitors to your website.
WordPress is SEO-friendly, which means that it is optimised for search engines right out of the box. Furthermore, there are several high-performing SEO plugins available that can help you further optimise your website for search engines, including Yoast SEO and All in One SEO Pack. This will improve your website’s search engine rankings, drive more traffic to your website, and ultimately increase your revenue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, WordPress offers greater flexibility, customisation options, and control over your website. Additionally, hosting a WordPress website can be more cost-effective long-term. It also provides better performance, security, and SEO-friendliness. The open-source nature of WordPress and its supportive community also make it a great choice for coaching and consulting businesses of all sizes.
