Page Builders Vs Bespoke Websites

If you don’t live in a digital world, the term page builder may not mean anything to you. Even if you’ve dealt with redeveloping a company website before, the differences between a bespoke website build and a page builder option might not have been discussed. That’s because most agencies only work with one of those options and so the pros and cons are rarely brought up.

What Is A Page Builder?

A page builder theme or visual composer offers a simplified way to build a WordPress website, using pre-built modules and shortcodes to create buttons, sliders, forms, sidebars and other components without having to design page elements or write code.

Examples:

• Elementor

• Divi

• WPBakery

• Beaver Builder

• Avada

What Is A Bespoke Website?

Custom builds involve the skills of both a web designer and a web developer to create a unique website from scratch with the look and functionality exactly as you need it.

What’s The Difference Between A Bespoke Build And A Page Builder?

Since page builders essentially offer pre-built features, they need little to no manual coding which can often be faster and comes at a cheaper cost. With a bespoke build, web developers will write and control the code themselves, meaning the freedom to create everything on the page bespoke and exactly how you need it rather than having to stick to a pre-defined template.

Think of it like buying an off-the-shelf product vs a tailor-made bespoke product. While the first one certainly has its advantages, it also comes pre-installed with features you don’t need that may not quite meet your requirements.

Cost

The main reason page builders remain a popular option is that the initial cost is much cheaper when compared to a bespoke build. For companies with smaller budgets, it makes sense to find the cheapest solution but it’s a good idea to make sure you have all the information and know what you’re getting for your money.

Ultimately, this comes down to the value you place on your website. We all want to get something as cheap as possible but there’s a reason custom builds are more expensive and it’s unlikely the cheaper quote is going to offer the same kind of value in the long run.

Most agencies aren’t out to rip you off but we have heard horror stories of cheap site builds that come with extortionate amendment costs or added extras that you didn’t need.

Site Changes

For marketing and website professionals who know their way around WordPress and have knowledge of best practice and user experience data, a page builder product gives you the flexibility to make changes to page layouts, such as adding in buttons, images and text boxes without needing a web developer. This can be an attractive option if you know what you’re doing but it’s not without its downsides, especially if you’re not an expert in web design.

Design

Page builders come loaded with options to control the look of your site, which can be a good thing but it also means you end up with a bulky site containing features and options you’ll never need. Since you can choose from a range of pre-built modules, it also means your website could end up looking very similar to thousands of other sites. Depending on your product or service, this can put you at a significant disadvantage for attracting customers.

While they usually provide a lot of flexibility, there are still limitations and it’s easy to miss the finer details a professional web designer would focus on such as brand fonts and colours. We’ve also had clients consult us about design improvements after the build who don’t realise the limits.

SEO

While a bespoke build doesn’t mean you’ll instantly get better SEO results, bloated code added by page builders means slow loading speeds, which can negatively impact the user experience of a website and result in missed leads or sales.

The fundamentals of SEO such as page content, headings and internal links are largely the same whichever option you choose, but custom site builds tend to have a better technical foundation. Cleaner code, better load speeds, optimised mobile experience and fewer junk URLs from plugins will all contribute to a more efficient search engine crawl, meaning a higher chance of appearing in Google’s index.

Usability

Whether it’s yourself or your marketing agency looking after the backend tasks such as adding and removing pages, updating text and publishing blog posts, page builders may not be that easy to use after all.

Even simple things like getting the size of an image to look right or choosing the right colour for a button can be a frustrating experience with so many options and clunky editing features.

What if your website is controlled by multiple people such as a marketing team? Getting brand consistency right in these cases is often challenging.

Security

Sadly, page builders are often the target of hacking and security exploits. Combine that with the amount of plugins they often rely on and all it takes is a few missed updates to end up with a security issue on your hands.

This is particularly important to consider if you’re planning to maintain the site yourself as the impact of data breaches or lost sales can be huge for any business.

Future-Proofing

If you want a website that supports business growth and allows you to adapt to new design trends and best practices, a bespoke build is going to be the best investment for you. With the limitations of sites built using page builders, any future expansion or changes you might need can be difficult and may result in you needing to rebuild anyway.

What Are The Benefits Of A Bespoke Website?

A bespoke WordPress site is tailored specifically to meet the unique needs and goals of a business, offering numerous benefits that can significantly impact your online success.

Unique Design Tailored To Our Brand

One of the most significant advantages of a bespoke WordPress site is the ability to create a unique design that perfectly reflects your brand identity. Unlike pre-designed themes, which may be used by hundreds or thousands of other websites, a custom-built site ensures that your website stands out from the competition. A bespoke design allows you to incorporate your brand’s colours, typography, and visual elements in a way that resonates with your target audience and reinforces your brand’s image.

Optimised Performance And Speed

A bespoke WordPress site is built with only the features and functionalities you need, avoiding the bloat that often comes with pre-built themes. This streamlined approach results in faster load times and improved performance. Site speed is a critical factor in user experience and SEO rankings; a faster site not only keeps visitors engaged but also helps you rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs).

Enhanced Security

Security is a major concern for any website owner, especially in an era where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated. Pre-built themes and plugins are often targeted by hackers due to their widespread use. A bespoke WordPress site, on the other hand, is less vulnerable because it is built with custom code that is less likely to be exploited. Additionally, a custom site allows for better integration of security measures tailored to your specific needs, further reducing the risk of breaches.

Scalability And Flexibility

As your business grows, your website needs to evolve to accommodate new products, services, or content. A bespoke WordPress site is inherently more scalable and flexible than a pre-built option. Custom development ensures that your site can easily be expanded or modified to include new features or sections without compromising the overall design and functionality. This flexibility allows your website to grow alongside your business, ensuring it remains relevant and effective.

Better SEO Integration

Search engine optimisation (SEO) is crucial for driving organic traffic to your website. A bespoke WordPress site can be built with SEO best practices in mind from the ground up. Custom development allows for better control over on-page SEO elements such as meta tags, header structures, and URL formatting. Additionally, a bespoke site can be optimised for faster load times and mobile responsiveness, both of which are important factors in Google’s ranking algorithm.

Tailored User Experience

User experience (UX) plays a pivotal role in the success of a website. A bespoke WordPress site allows for the creation of a user journey that is specifically tailored to your target audience. By understanding your users’ needs and behaviours, you can design intuitive navigation, relevant content, and effective calls to action that guide visitors towards your desired outcomes, whether that’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or contacting your business.

Long Term Cost Efficiency

While the initial investment in a bespoke WordPress site may be higher than purchasing a pre-built theme, the long-term benefits often outweigh the costs. A custom-built site reduces the need for ongoing expenses related to theme updates, plugin compatibility issues, and security vulnerabilities. Moreover, as your site is built to be scalable and flexible, you are less likely to encounter costly redesigns or overhauls in the future.

Full Control Over Functionality

With a bespoke WordPress site, you have complete control over the functionality of your website. You can integrate custom plugins, APIs, and third-party services that are specifically relevant to your business. This level of control ensures that your website functions exactly as you need it to, without being weighed down by unnecessary features that are often bundled with pre-built themes.

Is A Page Builder Right For Me?

As an agency that designs and builds custom websites, we’re going to be a little biased but we do acknowledge that page builders have a place in the web market. If you need a website knocking up quickly and aren’t planning to add new features at a later date, options like Elementor will be fine but it’s not right for every business.

If you’re looking for a new website and want to discuss your options, we’re always here for a chat!

Contact us or call 01924 367 105