Is a DIY Website Builder (like WIX) Really the Cheapest Way to Build a Website?
Using WIX as a Case Study:
Well known and easy to use there are many DIY website builders out there. But is it really the cheapest way to build a website? The answer is both yes ..and no..
Most people look for a quick website solution either at the time when starting a business. Or, when marketing efforts need a boost, their current website is out of date or they just don’t have one.
Other decisions center around what sort of website to have. i.e. An informational /blog website, an online store, etc.. Let’s take a look at a popular option as an example. WIX, can do it all to build anything you may need and there’s the choice of free or paid for solutions.
The Allure of the DIY Website Builder
- Many builders offer a free plan to get started: This allows you to test the waters and build a site at no monetary cost.
- Simplicity and Speed: With a drag-and-drop editor and pre-designed templates, you can have a basic site live in a matter of hours or days. This is perfect for a business needing a quick online presence, like a simple portfolio or a digital business card.
- All-in-One Solution: Most builders bundle hosting, security (SSL), and a content management system into a single monthly fee, simplifying the technical side of things.
The Hidden Costs: Why Cheapest Isn’t Always Best
So at a cost effective start, you can go for the free option. You’ll get all the design features you will need, and even get it published online. But there is a down side to sticking with the free plan. and that is adverts on your website.. Which are out of your control as to what will be advertised. This can distract your website visitors in a bad way. The free option offers connection of your site to a web address that is not your own and will look something like: www.yourname.wixsite.com/yourbusiness
- Limited Ownership and Mobility: This is the single biggest drawback. When you build a website on a platform like Wix, you can’t simply take it with you. The site is built on their proprietary code and can only be hosted on their servers. If you ever want to switch hosts or hire a developer for a custom feature, you have to start from scratch.
- Lack of True Customization and Scalability: While templates are easy to use, they are also restrictive. If you need a unique design or want to add a specific, advanced function (like a complex booking system or a personalized quiz), you’re often limited by the platform’s app store or forced to use a generic, pre-built solution.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Challenges: While builders have improved their SEO tools, they often fall short on the technical side. Slow load times, bloated code, and lack of control over key elements can hurt your ranking on Google, making it harder for customers to find you organically.
- The Price of Your Time: Your time is a valuable resource. The hours you spend troubleshooting design issues, learning the platform’s limitations, and trying to implement advanced features are hours you could have spent serving customers, marketing your business, or developing new products.
- Recurring Fees and Auto-Renewals: The advertised price is often just the beginning. The low monthly fee may not include the cost of a your own web address (or custom domain name), you will need to sign up with a paid for plan custom domain name after the first year, premium apps, or e-commerce features. These auto-renewals can lead to unexpected charges and make it difficult to control your budget.
A Universal Truth
Like many providers, signing up an annual paid for plan includes a domain name at no extra cost for the first year. It is important that this annual payment is always made on time. If your domain name expires, it goes back to open market for someone else to register it. For this reason, WIX includes domains to be set to auto renew so keep in mind this extra cost. In their case, this can mean a separate annual charge from your monthly billing. After that, your domain renewal is set to auto renew.
The below graph shows some basic differences between WIX and most web agencies
The Value of a Local Professional
- Faster Speeds for Local Customers: When your website is hosted on local servers, the data has a shorter distance to travel, resulting in faster load times for your target audience. This is a crucial factor for user experience and can significantly improve your SEO rankings.
- Personalized, Local Support: You get support from real people in your time zone who understand the unique challenges of the local market. There are no language barriers or late-night calls to an overseas call center.
- Customization and Scalability: A professional agency builds a site that is a unique asset, not a template. They can create a design that perfectly reflects your brand and ensures your site has the foundation to add new features as your business grows.
The Final Verdict
A DIY website builder can be a great starting point for a brand new business with a shoestring budget. It’s a fantastic way to get an online presence quickly. WIX is a reliable solid solution with many features. For any business with a clear vision for growth, a DIY solution is often a temporary fix. The time, money, and lost opportunities that come with a limited, un-owned platform can quickly outweigh the initial cost savings.
At Webworks, there was a time in our past where sites were hosted in the US. This was back when local hosting infrastructures were on a see saw of either being unreliable or really really expensive. Since then a lot has changed. Hosting prices in SA are very reasonable and so, we too host locally. With business being tough and all, I have seen that local providers seem to offer spectacular support service compared to overseas providers (timezone dependent). What can I say.. Us South Africans know how to be hard (and proud) workers.
Ultimately, a professional, custom-built website is an investment in your business’s future. It’s a long-term, scalable, and powerful tool that you own and control, designed to help you succeed in a competitive digital world. Don’t build a website for today—build one for tomorrow. Contact Webworks today for a website solution that works as hard as you do.
