The audience has spoken, and 73% of businesses agree: to compete in today’s digital landscape, you need to have a robust online presence, and that begins with a great website. But with so many different ways to get yourself online, how do you make sure you're picking the best option?

Three Ways to Build a Website

If you're looking to build a website, there are three routes you can take: use a DIY website builder, opt for a content management system (CMS), or hire a professional developer. Each of these options comes with its pros and cons, and deciding which is best for you depends on a variety of factors, including what you need from your site, how involved you want to be in the process, and your budget.

Coming up, we’ll outline some of the pros and cons of each option to help you make the right choice on how to best grow your digital presence.

Website Builders

Drag-and-drop website builders like Squarespace, Wix, and Shopify (if you're into e-commerce) have surged in popularity. These easy-to-use platforms give just about anyone the tools they need to create a simple, functional site. When using one of these builders, half the work (the back-end stuff you don't see) is done; all that's left is customizing the design and adding your content. However, despite having hundreds of free and paid templates to choose from, the inability to get under the hood and tweak the code can leave these sites feeling a little cookie-cutter.

Affordability and an anyone-can-do structure might be the biggest advantages of using a website builder. While other website development options require at least basic coding skills to get the most out of them, literally anyone can create a basic yet highly functional website using a builder. If all you need is a landing page for your blog or small business, and you are not overly concerned with advanced customization, then a website builder offers unmatched value.

Pros:

• Affordable monthly pricing
• Easy to use, no coding required
• Fast setup time

Cons:

• Limited customization options
• Can feel generic
• Less scalability for future growth

Content Management System

If you're looking for a bit more creative freedom and customization but don't have the budget for a fully custom-built website, a CMS like WordPress is the perfect middle ground. While WordPress is designed to be extremely user-friendly with its no-code, drag-and-drop building, its open-source code and extensive plugin library offer deeper customization and more flexibility than your typical website builder. Unlike ready-built templates, which you can modify to a limited degree, there are no rules with WordPress: if you can think it, it can be done.

With so many websites competing for attention, giving users a memorable experience when they visit is becoming increasingly important. That is one of the main benefits of a CMS like WordPress. Whether you're taking advantage of custom themes or simply leveraging the extensive plugin library to pick and choose the custom features you want, WordPress can give you an extremely custom-feeling website without the custom cost. Its scalability also means that your website is designed to grow with your business, making it a future-proof option.

However, while the average person can build a beautiful website using WordPress (with enough time and patience), to truly get the most out of the platform, you may want to explore custom WordPress developers. This route is still less expensive than building a website from scratch and gives you a completely made-to-order website that looks and feels one of a kind.

Pros:

• More customization options
• Access to thousands of plugins and themes
• Better scalability for future needs

Cons:

• Higher learning curve
• Requires more ongoing maintenance
• Security risks if not regularly updated

Custom Website Developer

If your plans for your new website include complex functionalities and unique design elements (and you're not a coder), then hiring a professional developer might be the way to go. This option offers the most design flexibility and endless personalization so you can fine-tune every page to be exactly what you want. You also get to be as involved or hands-off as you want, which is perfect for busy business owners. However, all the customization comes at a cost.

Unlike a CMS or website builder, which utilizes pre-existing frameworks as the foundation of the website, custom-developed websites are built from scratch, line by line. This approach provides complete creative control over every aspect of your site, allowing you to tailor everything from the layout and colour scheme to the navigation and functionality with your brand and audience in mind.

Budget and timeline are important considerations when opting for a custom website. The price tag attached to developing a custom website will vary significantly depending on the complexity and features you would like included. It will also take longer to build and launch. However, at the end of the process, you’ll be left with a highly personalized, unique website that will delight users and can grow alongside your business.

Pros:

• Fully customized design
• Unique functionality tailored to your business
• Ongoing technical support

Cons:

• Higher upfront cost
• Longer development time
• Requires ongoing collaboration

Which Option Is Right for You?

Choosing between a website builder, CMS, or custom development comes down to your budget, technical skills, and business needs. If you're a small business owner who just needs a simple website, a website builder might be the best fit. If you're looking for a more customizable option that can grow with your business, a CMS like WordPress could be the way to go. But if you're planning on launching a large-scale website with custom features, investing in a professional developer might be worth the cost.

Whichever method you choose, establishing your footprint online is a crucial step towards building your brand and connecting with your audience.