Developing a website using custom web development or website builders has its benefits. If you are planning on curating your website, we know you are stuck and unable to decide on one aspect of it, as both have the best benefits to offer. ‘Whether to go for custom web development or website builders?’ is the real question.

The options are quite different from others and there are many trade-offs between the two. While one is a readymade tool awaiting your use, the other is a stringently designed customized solution. So, stick with us as we are going to unfold all the differences between the two. This will help you make the choice that best suits your needs and will assist you in making an informed decision. 

The author, Aris Shaikh, has often come across individuals being confused between choosing a custom website or going for a web builder. So, he has laid down a series of the most relevant differences between the two. This will help the audience make a clear decision as to go for the tool that meets their requirements best!

Custom Website: A brief Overview

A custom website does not use any pre-made designs and templates to get the website ready. It starts with the creation of the website from scratch, developed by a website designer, website developer, or even a website design agency. The customized websites are tailor-made using either HTML-based editors or any other form of software. 

Everything, from the layout and colour scheme to the functionality and user experience, is designed to suit your exact needs. However, this level of customization can be a costly affair, as the benefits to be provided will be over the top. There are a series of steps in dealing with a customized website and we are going to cover each of them. 

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Website Builders: A Brief Overview

This is for the people who possess absolutely no knowledge of coding, have a tight budget, less time, looking for less complexity, and cannot dedicate the time towards website-building. Website builder tools include a range of templates to select from, with the functionality of drag-and-drop included features present to simplify the process for users. But, if you are looking for an all-customized website, full control over the same is not possible. 

Choosing qualified website builders often counts you in for built-in features like contact forms, social media integration, and SEO tools. Modern website builders usually ensure that the websites you create are mobile-friendly and responsive. This way, your websites are likely to function well in different layouts and themes without creating any difficulty. 

Custom Web Development vs Website Builders: Which Is The One For You?

When you are ready to choose one between the two, make sure that you possess all the differences that are to know. This includes cost, design, and built-in features, and the list continues long after that. Thankfully, we have provided all there is to know and decide on the ultimate distinguishing factor for you!

• Cost

One can sign up and reap the benefits of custom websites if they are well-established and have a plausible budget separately decided on for custom web. This is because when a company is stringent about every detail and features it wants to reflect on the website, the costs will be charged accordingly. So, in a custom website, an initial higher investment is given due to lengthy design and development costs. 

This is where a website builder comes in handy, as they are cost-effective, with lower upfront costs and ongoing subscription fees. Online website builder sites are meant for start-ups, small businesses, and other affairs that are not massive in nature. With a website builder, you do not need to invest heavily in site development, designs, and templates, as they are all ready for you!

• Design

As far as the designs and sets of templates are concerned, a custom website wins the show. As they are investing heavily to get their hands on a unique footprint, they lead the clan with their over-the-top, custom-made designs. You get unlimited flexibility to create designs and templates that go perfectly with your needs and specifications, serving as one of the best benefits of custom websites. 74% of businesses that use custom web development say it provides a better user experience and more tailored functionality compared to website builders.

If your ideology revolves around a simple professional design and you can make good with pre-designed templates, AI website builder options are the one for you. You can search for an already-existing design that best matches your brand value and go for it without thinking too much. While you can make adjustments in colours and fonts, you are majorly limited from making any other changes to your website. 

• Features

An astounding feature of custom website is that it allows for the creation of specialized functionalities and features that are unique to your business. This makes room for built-in features, advanced integrations, eCommerce setups, and a wide range of interfaces to choose from. Also, one holds the liberty of getting hold of the services most beneficial to them, which is always a plus in a custom website. 

Suppose your sole aim is to make do with whatever is provided, like specific SEO tools, some eCommerce setups, and a limited range of integrations. In that case, you can reap the advantages of website builders. This is not always a limitation, as you can leverage the digital tools provided to you, even with zero expertise. But, if you need specific functionalities beyond the scope of the website builder, you might have to rely on third-party apps or plugins, which can sometimes be limited.

• Maintenance & Updates

With customized websites comes the extra responsibility of maintenance. It needs to undergo manual maintenance, along with frequent updates and security patches, to be up-to-date. So, this opens up a whole new set of extra costs and also requires levelling up your expertise. On the contrary, if you hold enough expertise to customize your website, this is an added feature as you can get control of management in your own hands!

The case is the opposite for a builder, with the benefits of website builders empowering custom-made solutions. This is because now, the users who have availed the services of the builder are not involved with maintaining or updating the website frequently. They are generally handled by the website builder platform itself. Also website loading times are optimized to meet the user’s needs, making sure that they are provided with plenty to not leave your website quickly. 

Also read: Why Responsive Design is Critical for Your Website’s Success?

Custom Web Development vs Website Builder: Match Your Needs & Preferences

Choosing the best option for yourself requires aligning the benefits provided with your needs and exact specifications. If your motto is to build a budget-friendly website and you are comfortable not controlling every setup of the same, opt for a website builder. On the contrary, if you have to have a top-of-the-art website and manage every single aspect of it, custom web development is your go-to choice. Whatever your choice is, Noortaj Marketing is your one-stop solution for all your website management needs. So, instead of delaying it further, avail our premium website development services in Dubai.