With the considerable advances in coding technologies and online services, building a website today has never been easier. The rise of website builders like Wix, Squarespace and Weebly, along with powerful content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, has opened the doors for anyone to create a website, regardless of coding or design experience. Let’s take a look at website builder websites vs CMS platform sites and reasons to help you make the decision between both.
The ease of use of web builders
Website builders, in particular, come with pre-built templates and user-friendly editing areas that allow even complete beginners to craft attractive websites. They provide a drag-and-drop interface, where you can easily add images, text and media to design your site exactly as you want it.
The dominance of WordPress
On the other hand, CMS platforms like WordPress also make web development more accessible but require a little more knowledge to get the best results. The biggest CMS system, WordPress, powers around 43% of all websites globally, making it the most popular CMS by far. Its flexibility, extensive plugin library and range of templates have contributed to its exponential growth. With WordPress, you have more control over your site’s appearance, functionality and performance as well as the ability to customise it through coding if desired.
Choosing between website builders and WordPress
Both website builders and CMS platforms come with their own sets of advantages and disadvantages. Website builders offer simplicity and ease of use, ideal for those with limited time or technical knowledge. CMS platforms, while requiring a steeper learning curve, provide greater flexibility and customisation options. Whether you’re a small business owner looking for a quick and easy solution or a developer seeking maximum control, understanding the pros and cons of each can help you make an informed decision that aligns with your goals and skill level. Note, both these options will still be governed by the strict protocols set by the W3C.
The Advantages of Web Builders
Website builders are designed to be simple, allowing you to set up a website in minutes. Here are some of their key advantages:
- Price: Website builders are often very affordable, with plans starting as low as a few pounds per month. They offer a cost-effective way to get your website online without needing to hire a developer.
- Ease of Editing: The drag-and-drop interface of website builders makes it easy for anyone to design and edit their site, even without any technical knowledge. You can easily add, move or remove elements as needed.
- Supplied Hosting: Most website builders come with web hosting included, so you don’t need to worry about setting up separate hosting services. This simplifies the process and reduces the number of external services you need to manage.
- In-built Security: Website builders typically offer in-built security features, reducing the risk of hacking or malware. They also handle regular updates to ensure your site remains secure.
- Backup Options: Many website builders include automatic backups as part of their service, ensuring that your data is protected and can be restored if needed.
- Wide Range of Templates: Website builders offer a wide variety of templates for different types of sites, from blogs and portfolios to e-commerce and business websites, making it easy to find a design that fits your needs. The majority of these templates come with inbuilt languages to make them function – normally a mix of HTML5, CSS and XML files.
The Disadvantages of Web Builders
While website builders are convenient, they do come with certain limitations:
- Limited Template Variety: The templates available on website builders can be restrictive and customisation options may be limited. This can make it challenging to create a truly unique design.
- Difficulty Making Substantial Changes: Website builders often have rigid structures, making it difficult to implement significant changes or custom features without switching to a more flexible platform.
- Limited Add-ons and Integrations: You are generally limited to the add-ons and plugins provided by the platform, which may not cover all the features you need.
- Lock-in Contracts: Many website builders require a minimum contract term, which can be inconvenient if you decide to move your site to a different platform later on. You may also find it very difficult to port your site from one service to another.
- Performance Limitations: Due to shared hosting and the platform’s constraints, website builders may not perform as well as custom-built CMS sites, especially as your site grows and traffic increases.
The Advantages of CMS Platforms
CMS platforms like WordPress have become increasingly popular due to their versatility and the extensive customisation options they offer:
- Diversity and Flexibility: CMS platforms allow for extensive customisation, enabling you to create a unique and tailored website. You can modify templates, add custom code and integrate various features as needed.
- Enhanced Security: With proper setup, CMS platforms offer robust security options, including a range of plugins to help protect your site from malware and attacks.
- Core Coding Options: For those with coding knowledge, CMS platforms offer the ability to tweak the core code, providing even greater control over site functionality and design.
- Extensive Plugin Library: CMS platforms like WordPress have thousands of plugins available, allowing you to add virtually any feature or functionality you need, from SEO tools to e-commerce solutions.
- Scalability: CMS platforms are highly scalable, making them suitable for both small websites and large, complex sites that receive a lot of traffic.
- Global Support Community: WordPress has a vast global community, providing a wealth of tutorials, forums and professional support to help you with any issues you might encounter.
The Disadvantages of CMS Platforms
While CMS platforms offer great flexibility, they also have their drawbacks:
- Steep Learning Curve: For beginners, CMS platforms can be challenging to learn, especially if you want to take full advantage of the available customisation options.
- Security Risks: Due to the popularity of platforms like WordPress, they can be a target for hackers. However, this risk can be mitigated with proper security measures and regular updates.
- Maintenance Requirements: CMS sites require regular updates for the core software, themes and plugins. Failing to keep these updated can result in security vulnerabilities and performance issues. Note, there are automated update plugins available that will deal with these issues for you.
- Potential Hosting Costs: Unlike website builders, CMS platforms typically require you to arrange your own hosting, which can add to the overall cost of running your site.
Which Should You Choose – Web Builder or CMS?
Choosing between a website builder and a CMS platform depends on your specific needs and level of expertise. Website builders offer a simple, straightforward way to get a website online quickly. They require minimal design knowledge and provide all the necessary tools in one package. However, they are limited in terms of customisation and scalability.
CMS platforms, on the other hand, provide much greater flexibility and the potential for growth which may align better with your online marketing strategy. While they require a bit more technical knowledge, they offer extensive customisation options and a vast array of plugins and themes.
For anyone serious about building a powerful, scalable website, a CMS platform like WordPress is often the better choice. However, it does require a willingness to learn, or the investment in professional web design services, to help you get the most out of your site.
If you can’t decide which is right for you, it might be an idea to work with a business mentoring company that will guide on this (and many other) choices.
Should you use a professional firm?
Website builders are still relatively new but are continuously evolving, especially with the integration of AI features to assist with design and optimisation. However, despite these advancements, they are unlikely to rival the quality and customisation of a site built by a professional who understands your business and its goals. The choice between a website builder and a CMS platform ultimately depends on your individual requirements, your skill level and how much control you want over your site’s design and functionality.
Final thoughts
The future of web design looks promising, with new tools and technologies emerging to make it easier for anyone to build a website. Whether you choose a website builder for its simplicity or a CMS for its extensive capabilities, the key is to select the platform that best aligns with your objectives and future plans for your online presence.
