One common dilemma small to medium-sized business owners face is whether to invest in a custom-built website or use a budget-friendly option, such as a prebuilt WordPress theme and a page builder plugin. This blog explores the advantages and disadvantages of both options to help you make an informed decision.
What is the difference between a theme and a page builder?
Both WordPress themes and page builder plugins help you customise how your website looks and operates. But there are important distinctions between the two. A WordPress theme (like Astra, Jupiter, Divi and Avada) is a pre-made template containing the website’s underlying functionality. WordPress themes vary greatly from one theme to another. They are used to control the overall design of a website without any coding knowledge.
A page builder is a plugin that is installed in conjunction with a theme. It provides a more comprehensive way to create a unique look and feel for the website. Page builders like Elementor, Visual Composer, WPBakery and Bricks offer an accessible solution for those without coding knowledge. They provide user-friendly interfaces, pre-designed templates, and built-in content management tools. These features make it easy for anyone to create a basic website quickly and affordably.
The appeal of pre-build themes and page builders
The benefits of page builders include:
Ease of use: Drag-and-drop functionality and WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editors allow users to design their websites without needing to understand code.
Cost-effective: Page builders are typically cheaper than hiring a professional developer, making them an attractive option for startups and small businesses.
Quick setup: Ready-made templates and hosting solutions enable rapid deployment of websites.
Limitations
While page builders and pre-built themes offer convenience, they come with several limitations that can impact your website’s performance and scalability.
Performance issues and SEO challenges
One of the most critical factors for a website’s success is its performance. Page builders and pre-built themes generate bloated code, which can significantly slow down your website. Slow load times not only frustrate users but also harm your search engine optimisation (SEO) efforts. Google prioritises fast-loading websites in its search rankings, meaning a slow site can drop in the rankings and lose visibility (Search Engine Journal).
Furthermore, page builders and pre-built themes often lack optimised code, leading to additional SEO issues. For example, they rarely include schema data, which helps search engines understand the content of your site better. This omission can hinder your website’s ability to rank well in search results.
Limited control over customisation
Page builder plugins and pre-built themes offer a range of pre-designed templates, but they come with restrictions. Customisation options are limited, making it challenging to implement unique features or functionality. While you can add custom styling script (CSS), creating completely custom templates with full control over functionality is often impossible. This limitation can stifle creativity and prevent your website from standing out.
Security vulnerabilities
Security is a paramount concern for any website. Page builder plugins and pre-built themes are common targets for hackers due to their widespread use. These vulnerabilities can expose your website to various security risks, including cross-site scripting (XSS) (SecurityWeek). Custom-built websites, on the other hand, can be tailored with robust security measures to protect against these threats.
Reliability and maintenance issues
If a page builder plugin or pre-built theme undergoes a major update or is abandoned by its developers, it can lead to functionality issues or even break your site completely. Custom-built websites offer greater reliability, as they are designed and maintained by professional developers who can address issues promptly and ensure ongoing compatibility.
Advantages of custom-built websites
Investing in a custom-built website can provide numerous benefits that outweigh the initial higher costs.
Enhanced performance and SEO: Custom websites are designed with clean, efficient code, leading to faster load times and better SEO performance. Developers can optimise every aspect of the site to ensure it meets the latest SEO best practices.
Complete customisation: A custom-built website that does not rely on a third-party page builder plugin offers unlimited design possibilities. Developers can create unique features and functionalities tailored to your business needs, providing a distinct online presence that sets you apart from competitors.
Robust security: Custom websites can be fortified with advanced security measures to protect against vulnerabilities. Developers can implement specific security protocols to safeguard your site from potential threats.
Long-term reliability: Custom websites are built to last, with professional maintenance and support ensuring that your site remains functional and up-to-date. This reliability is crucial for businesses looking to scale and adapt to changing market conditions.
Conclusion
While pre-built themes and page builder plugins are a practical choice for those seeking an easy, cost-effective solution for a basic website, they come with significant limitations in terms of performance, customisation, security, and reliability.
For businesses aiming for a robust and scalable online presence, a custom-built website is the superior choice. Investing in a custom website can provide long-term benefits that enhance your brand’s visibility, security, and user experience.