If you are a freelance web developer or the owner of a small agency, you have probably wondered about the advantages of website builders compared to from-scratch development. While coding websites from the ground up by hand is an important skill to have in your toolbelt, builders have many advantages. Here are 4 of our favorites.
1. You get websites out the door faster.
As longtime developers, we know that one of the hardest parts of this industry is the intensive time investment. You want your websites to be perfect. However, when that desire for perfection begins to cut into time with your family and friends, you need a different way of doing things. Website builders can fill that gap. They can help you cut down on time spent per site while maintaining the same high standards. Because you can make global changes and rely on an existing design system, there are fewer hours and headaches on your part. Since only 40% of small businesses have websites, there are thousands of customers waiting for an open slot in your schedule.
2. Creating a consistent brand identity is easier.
When you’re building a website, you constantly ask yourself whether you’re creating a cohesive look that is in line with the brand identity of the business. Website builders help you create that look by reducing the number of choices you have to make and making universal design changes easier. Your clients will be delighted with the consistent message you’ve created for their customers. While using a builder can be as easy as dragging and dropping, you retain the ability to create custom elements and make everything feel personalized and specific to any given client.
3. Your projects see a higher return on investment.
You know that if you could take on more projects, you would be in a more comfortable position financially. By reducing the time and effort on your part but ensuring you maintain your quality standards, website builders help you invest less of your resources per project while seeing the same (or even higher) revenue on a per-project basis. In many ways, using a builder is like using a wheelbarrow to help you transport landscaping materials across a property – sure, you could do it by hand. But why not save yourself time and effort while seeing the same great results?
4. Developing a process will come naturally.
If you’re like most freelancers or small agencies, you probably fly by the seat of your pants more than you would like to admit. Using a builder is naturally a step-by-step process. When you implement this system, it will be easier to create and refer to a consistent process. This means less time figuring out how to go about building sites, and it also means less time briefing your team or training new employees.
All these aspects of website builders are very appealing, but it’s important to learn the ins and outs of these tools before you begin using them. Contact us today for more information. If you’re still pondering the benefits of DIY template websites vs. custom websites, read our previous post.
