When it comes to getting a website for your business, there can be a confusing amount of options available. For those on a budget, one popular choice is to use a do-it-yourself (DIY) website builder such as Wix, Squarespace, Weebly, etc., while another option is to use a content management system (CMS) such as WordPress. While both options have their own set of pros and cons, in this article we will explore why WordPress is often considered a better choice than DIY website builders.
First and foremost, WordPress is an open-source platform, meaning that it is completely free to use and customize. DIY website builders, on the other hand, are proprietary systems and are limited in terms of customisation. Because WordPress is open-source, a vast community of developers are constantly creating extensions to add almost any features you could imagine, giving one a wider range of options and features to choose from. Proprietary DIY website builders can also come with high ongoing fees and, in the case of e-commerce websites, commissions on sales.
A big advantage of WordPress is its flexibility and scalability. With DIY website builders, you are often limited in terms of design and functionality. WordPress, on the other hand, allows you to create a website that is tailored to your specific needs, whether it be a simple blog or a complex e-commerce site. And as your website grows and evolves, WordPress can easily adapt and scale to accommodate your changing needs. This is why WordPress is the most popular platform for building websites. According to data from W3Techs, WordPress is used by 43.2% of all websites on the internet in 2022.
DIY website builders can be easier than WordPress to get started with for someone with no experience and that is why they are popular. But once you have a WordPress website up and running, it is just as easy to work with as long as it has been set up well. However, a poorly set up WordPress website can be a right pain to work with. This is where a good web development company such as Rapid Websites comes in. We can get your website up and running and make sure it is set up in a way that makes it easy for the website owner to manage.
In terms of SEO (search engine optimisation), WordPress is also considered to be a more SEO-friendly option than most DIY website builders. It is built with SEO in mind and offers many built-in features and plugins that help optimize your website for Google and other search engines.
When it comes to security, WordPress is considered a safe option as long as it is set up following best security practices. WordPress is constantly updated to address any potential security vulnerabilities, and it is very easy to update the software to the latest and most secure versions with one click and even automatic updates available.
In conclusion, while DIY website builders may seem like a convenient and cost-effective option, they often come with limitations in terms of design, functionality, and scalability. WordPress, on the other hand, offers a wide range of options and features, a user-friendly interface, and the ability to adapt and scale as your website grows. Additionally, WordPress is free, more SEO friendly and secure. Therefore, for those looking to build a website that is tailored to their specific needs and can grow with their business, WordPress is often the better choice. But it is important to note that since WordPress so flexible, it can be set up in many different ways, some good some bad. At Rapid Websites we have over 15 years experience building WordPress websites and have standardised our set-ups to provide ease of use, good security and good search engine optimisation and all at a great price as well!