Web Designer Vs Website Builder: What’s The Difference
Hiring a professional website designer is not a cheap thing. Working with a design firm can cost $5,000 and go up from there. So, before you run to use a service like Squarespace, Wix, and Weebly to build a site for free, let’s compare web designers vs website builders.
Web Designer vs Website Builder: Which is Best for You?
Hiring a professional web designer is not for everyone. A new business without much revenue should be using an affordable website builder. However, small to medium businesses shouldn’t use a free website builder. It could cost those companies thousands of dollars in wasted man-hours, not to mention in opportunities lost.
Website Builder
A website builder is a tool that replaces the design and coding knowledge. You can just choose from a pre-made template design. You don’t need to know CSS or HTML, but you are relying on the website builder’s pre-set functions and code. It allows anyone to set up a site quickly and cheaply.
Website Designer
Assuming you hire someone good, a web designer can bring a lot to the table. They can take your vision and bring it into reality. They can also help you have a unique and interesting design that will make you stand out.
Who Should Use a Website Builder?
Not everyone should hire a professional website designer. If your business is more of a hobby, or you’re a blogger, you’re better off with a website builder. Not to mention, if your business is an unfunded startup or a small non-profit, go with a website designer. If you’re still debating whether to hire a website designer or builder, just remember that paying for a website should pay for itself. Losing money on a web designer is never a good thing.
Who should use a web designer?
While website builders can cost worlds less than hiring a professional website designer, the main difference is in the outcome, which in turn affects future revenue. Skimping on website design in a big business could potentially cause huge monetary losses. In the long run, big businesses are much better off hiring a professional designer for their site.
Advantages and Disadvantages: Website Builder
Now that we know who should hire a website builder, let’s take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of it.
Advantages
- Affordable
- Fast
- Okay design
Disadvantages
- Not professionally designed
- Generic
- Looks more like a template
- Poor SEO
- Lost potential sales
Advantages and Disadvantages: Web Designer
Now, let’s look at the advantages and disadvantages of hiring a web designer.
Advantages
- Professional design
- Optimized for conversion
- Ongoing support
- Saved time
Disadvantages
- Higher upfront cost
- Longer time to launch
- Quality varies
- You might not be the owner of your website
Conclusion
Most websites are built for some sort of business in order to make money. Whether or not you should hire a website designer or use a website builder comes down to risk vs. reward. If you’re not making much money yet, or don’t plan on it, you should go with the affordable option available. If you are making money and want to maximize business and sales, then you should hire a professional.
