In an age where DIY solutions and budget-friendly options are easily accessible, the allure of free website builders may seem hard to resist. After all, who wouldn’t want to save a few quid when you’re just getting started?
However, before you embark on the journey of building your website using a free builder, it’s crucial to consider the hidden costs and limitations that may come with such platforms. In this post, we discuss why you shouldn’t use a free website builder and instead invest in a professionally developed website.
1. Lack of Customisation
One of the primary arguments as to why you shouldn’t use a free website builder is the limited customisation and design tools. While these platforms offer a quick and easy way to set up a basic site, the downside lies in the cookie-cutter templates that often fail to capture your brand’s identity.
Professionalism and credibility are paramount in the online world, and a generic website may not leave a lasting impression on your visitors.
2. Unprofessional Domain Names
Free website builders typically provide subdomains, incorporating the builder’s name into your URL (e.g., yourbusiness.weebly.com).
Not only does this appear unprofessional, but it can also harm your brand image. Investing in a custom domain is essential for establishing credibility and ensuring that your website is taken seriously by both visitors and search engines.
3. Advertisements and Branding
To sustain their free services, many website builders display their own ads or branding on your site. This practice can be distracting for visitors and may even drive them away.
A professional website should prioritise promoting your brand, not the builder’s. Opting for a paid service allows you to retain full control over the content and branding of your website.
4. Limited Features and Functionality
Free website builders often come with restricted features and functionality. As your business grows, you may find yourself outgrowing the capabilities of these platforms. This could lead to migrating your entire website to a more robust platform, causing downtime and potential data loss.
Investing in a professional website from the start ensures scalability and the ability to adapt to your evolving business needs.
5. SEO Challenges
Effective Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is vital for driving organic traffic to your website. Free website builders may impose limitations that hinder your ability to optimise your site for search engines effectively. This limitation can significantly impact your website’s visibility and ranking, making it harder for potential customers to find you online. One of the largest reasons why you shouldn’t use a free website builder is the limited SEO features which can severely impact your Google rankings.
6. Slow site speeds
Free website builders tend to be extremely slow, as they are running hundreds of free websites on the same server. This can negatively affect the experience of users on your site and cause them to leave quickly, as well as hurt your SEO efforts.
7. Responsive design difficulties
A lot of free website builders make it simply impossible for your site to look good on mobile devices. Responsive design is essential for websites today and your website should look good and function correctly on all devices.
8. Analytics integration
To monitor the activity and numbers of users on your site, you need some analytics software. The best analytics tool is Google Analytics, which can be linked up via a small piece of code within your website.
Many free website builders do not allow you to connect to analytics tools, or they might provide a very limited analytics tool built into the site.
Summary
While free website builders may seem like a cost-effective solution initially, the hidden costs and limitations can far outweigh the benefits. Investing in a professional website design not only guarantees a unique and customised online presence but also provides the necessary tools and features to help your business thrive in the competitive digital landscape.
Here is why you shouldn’t use a free website builder:
- Lack of Customisation
- Unprofessional Domain Names
- Advertisements and Branding
- Limited Features and Functionality
- SEO Challenges
- Slow site speeds
- Responsive design difficulties
- Analytics integration
Don’t compromise on the quality of your website – choose Ocean Pixel Studios to build a site that truly represents your brand and sets you apart from the competition. Your online success is worth the investment.
