Time to Ditch the Page Builder?

When to Upgrade to a Custom WordPress Website

There are a lot of options out there for building websites and it can be tempting to opt for the cheap approach or to cut corners.

Page builders and online services have gained popularity for their user-friendly interfaces and drag-and-drop functionality and have their place but it’s no secret we champion building custom WordPress projects, and with good reason; after all, we’ve had nearly 20 years experience building websites but what are the benefits?

While DIY website builders like Wix and Squarespace offer convenience and simplicity, they come with limitations that may hinder your growth in the long run. Similarly, popular page builders like Elementor and WPBakery offer flexibility, but they too have their drawbacks.

We’ll explore the signs that indicate it’s time to upgrade to a custom WordPress website and leave these limitations behind.

1. Lack of Flexibility and Customisation:
   DIY website builders and page builders offer pre-designed templates and limited customisation options. If your business requires unique branding, complex functionality, or specific design requirements, these platforms may fall short. A custom WordPress website allows for complete flexibility and customisation, both at launch and in the future, ensuring your website reflects your brand identity and meets your business needs.
2. Limited SEO Capabilities:
   While DIY website builders claim to offer SEO-friendly templates, they often lack the depth and flexibility needed for effective search engine optimisation. Custom WordPress websites provide greater control over SEO elements such as meta tags, schema markup, and site structure, enabling you to optimise your website for better visibility and ranking in search engine results.
3. Performance and Loading Speed:
   Websites built with DIY platforms can suffer from performance issues and slow loading times, especially as the site grows in size and complexity. Custom WordPress websites are optimised for performance, with clean code, efficient caching mechanisms, and scalable infrastructure, ensuring fast and seamless user experiences.
4. Limited Scalability and Growth Potential:
   As your business evolves and expands, you may outgrow the limitations of DIY website builders and page builders. Custom WordPress websites are built with scalability in mind, allowing for seamless integration of new features, expansion into new markets, and adaptation to changing business needs without constraints.
5. Lack of Ownership and Control:
   With DIY website builders and page builders, you’re often locked into proprietary platforms with limited ownership and control over your website. A custom WordPress website gives you full ownership and control of your website, including the ability to host it on your own server, access and modify the codebase, and integrate with third-party services as needed.

Don’t just layer on plugins to fix problems

Page builders add additional unnecessary code and assets to your website and as you add more elements and features to your pages, the complexity of the code generated can negatively impact your website’s speed and user experience. We have rebuilt multiple sites for clients, some that have been rendered completely unusable due to spaghetti code and layer upon layer of ‘quick fixes’. A well built WordPress site can still offer all the ease, flexibility and drag and drop functionality of a page builder, without the complexities and headache.

Plan your website, build it once

While a DIY website offer convenience, ease of use, and a cheaper entry point, they may not be suitable for businesses with specific needs, ambitions, and growth plans. You may even find yourself spending more in the long run shoehorning content and functionality at the expense of user experience and performance. Even worse, having to start over and paying for a new site in a few months time.

If you find yourself facing the limitations mentioned above, it may be time to consider upgrading to a custom WordPress website. If you are planning a new website, consider your goals and if a custom build is more suited to your needs to lay the foundation for future success. If you’re unsure, get in touch for free advice. With its unparalleled flexibility, customisation options, and scalability, a custom WordPress website empowers you to elevate your online presence and achieve your business goals with confidence.