Ah, the journey of learning something new! It’s always an adventure, isn’t it? You encounter a few bumps along the way, some hiccups, and maybe even a bit of confusion. Remember the old saying, ‘It’s like riding a bike’? It suggests that once you grasp something, it sticks forever. But let’s be real, do any of us really recall the process of learning to ride a bike? Probably not. As someone currently coaching a 4-year-old through the art of bike riding, let me offer you a gentle reminder: it’s no walk in the park.

Balance? Tricky. Remembering to brake? A constant challenge. And there’s always the dilemma of focusing on pedaling or steering, but never quite mastering both at once…

Sure, frustration can mount at times, but if you persevere through the struggles and keep trying, it’ll be worth it when you eventually zip off to the park without a backward glance.

Now, let’s talk about your adventure with using a website builder for your new small business, nonprofit, or church website… 

As experienced web designers with years of custom website building under our belts, we could easily tell you how simple it is to use a website builder. But today, let’s rewind to a time when it wasn’t so easy for us and address some of the common roadblocks customers often encounter when learning to navigate a website builder.

By the end of this blog post, we hope to provide you with a more realistic view of what using a website builder entails, along with practical solutions to common pitfalls. Let’s dive in!

1. Limited Customization Options

When diving into the world of website building platforms it’s like stepping into a world of possibilities. These platforms offer user-friendly interfaces that let individuals and businesses craft websites without needing to be coding wizards. But let’s chat about the flip side: customization. While these platforms are fantastic for getting started, they do come with some limitations:

Limited Design Flexibility: While the templates within a website builder offer a quick jumpstart, they can sometimes put a bit of a damper on your creative genius. After all, you’re working within the confines of what the platform offers. Sure, you can tweak colors, fonts, and images to your heart’s content, but what about when you want to shake things up a bit more? Sometimes, the level of customization can feel like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.

Restrictions on Code: The inner workings of the website – the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript that bring it all to life. Except, well, on these platforms, you might find yourself locked out of tinkering with the code directly. It’s like having a shiny new toy but not being allowed to take it apart to see how it works.

Integration Limitations: You’re eyeing that cool new tool or service to add some extra oomph to your website, but alas, it’s not on the platform’s list of approved integrations. Or maybe it is, but getting it to play nice with your site feels like trying to wrangle cats.

Solution to the Problem

While website builders may throw a few roadblocks in your path to customization nirvana, fear not! There are ways to jazz up your templated website and make it stand out from the crowd:

Choose a Flexible Template: Start with a template that speaks to your brand vibe and offers room for customization. Think of it as the foundation for your masterpiece.

Customize Branding Elements: Your brand is your baby, so make it shine! Tweak logos, colors, and fonts until they scream “you.”

Create Unique Content: Content is king, they say. So, let your creativity flow and whip up content that’s as unique as your brand.

Personalize Design Elements: Work your magic within the constraints of the platform by adding personal touches to design elements. Sometimes, it’s the little things that make all the difference.

Add Custom Graphics and Illustrations: Sprinkle a bit of your personality onto your website with custom graphics and illustrations. It’s like adding sprinkles to an already delightful cupcake.

2. Limited Ecommerce Options

You’re a small business with big dreams of conquering the online market. You’ve set your sights on using a website builder to make your e-commerce dreams a reality. But wait – what’s this? Limited options standing in your way? Here’s what you might run into:

Restricted Payment Gateways: You’re ready to rake in those sales, but your chosen platform only offers a handful of payment gateways. Cue the disappointed sighs when your preferred method isn’t on the list.

Limited Product Variation Support: Your product lineup is as diverse as they come, but your website builder isn’t quite equipped to handle the complexity. There’s just not enough wiggle room.

Lack of Scalability: Your business is booming, and you’re ready to take the e-commerce world by storm. But, uh-oh – your website builder isn’t quite up to the challenge. Suddenly, scalability feels like a distant dream.

Inventory Management Limitations: Keeping track of inventory is crucial for any e-commerce business, but your website builder’s inventory management tools leave much to be desired. It’s like trying to navigate a maze blindfolded – frustrating and time-consuming.

Solution to the Problem

But fear not, e-commerce warrior! While limited options may seem like a daunting hurdle, there are website builder platforms out there that can meet your needs head-on. Here’s what we suggest:

Shopify: With its comprehensive suite of features, Shopify is a favorite among e-commerce enthusiasts. It offers everything from customizable templates to robust inventory management tools, making it a one-stop shop for all your e-commerce needs.

WooCommerce (WordPress): If you’re already familiar with WordPress, WooCommerce is the perfect complement. It seamlessly integrates with WordPress websites, offering a wide range of extensions and themes to customize and manage your online store to your heart’s content.

3. Robust Time Investment

The elusive concept of time – always slipping through our fingers like grains of sand. When it comes to designing a business website on a website building platform, time is of the essence. But how much time are we talking about? Let’s break it down:

Planning and Preparation (1-2 weeks): Lay the groundwork for your website by planning its structure, content, and design.

Choosing a Website Builder and Template (1-2 days): Select a website builder and template that align with your vision and goals.

Design and Layout (1-2 weeks): Get creative and bring your design ideas to life.

Content Creation and Integration (1-2 weeks): Craft compelling content and integrate it seamlessly into your website.

E-commerce Setup (if applicable) (1-2 weeks): If you’re diving into the world of e-commerce, set up your online store with all the bells and whistles.

Testing and Quality Assurance (1 week): Dot your i’s and cross your t’s by thoroughly testing your website for any bugs or issues.

Launch and Deployment (1-2 days): Take a deep breath and hit that publish button – your website is officially live!

Post-launch Optimization and Maintenance (ongoing): Keep the momentum going by optimizing your website for performance and making regular updates as needed.

But why would this time investment be a problem for some? Well, for starters, not everyone has the luxury of time on their side. Small businesses or individuals juggling multiple responsibilities may struggle to find the hours needed to devote to website design. Plus, there’s the added pressure of getting it right the first time – after all, you only get one shot at making a first impression.

Solution to the Problem

So, how can you make the most of your time when using a website builder? Here are a few handy tips to speed up the process and work more efficiently:

Plan Before Building: Spend some time upfront planning your website’s structure, content, and design. A little bit of planning goes a long way!

Choose a User-Friendly Platform: Pick a website builder that’s easy to use and intuitive – you’ll thank yourself later.

Use Pre-designed Templates: Take advantage of pre-designed templates to kickstart your design process. It’s like having a head start in a race.

Optimize Content Creation: Streamline content creation by preparing text, images, and other assets in advance. It’s all about working smarter, not harder.

Utilize Built-in Features and plugins: Make the most of built-in features and plugins to add functionality to your website without reinventing the wheel.

Reuse and Recycle Content: Repurpose existing content and assets whenever possible to save time and resources.

By following these tips, you can save time and work more efficiently when using a website builder to create your website.

4. Website Ownership

Who really owns your website when you’re using a website builder? It’s a bit like renting an apartment versus owning a home. Sure, you have control over the decor and layout, but at the end of the day, you’re still beholden to the landlord. Here’s why that can be a problem:

Limited Hosting Options: When you sign up for a website builder, you’re essentially signing up for their hosting services too. While this can be convenient, it also means you’re limited to the hosting options provided by the platform. Not exactly ideal if you have more specialized needs.

Scalability Concerns: As your business grows, so do your website’s needs. But what happens when your website builder can’t keep up? Suddenly, scalability feels like a distant dream.

Vendor Lock-in: Dependency on a website builder can feel like being in a codependent relationship. You’re stuck using their proprietary tools and technologies, making it hard to break free if you ever decide to part ways.

Solution to the Problem

While the road to website ownership may have a few bumps along the way, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. When you decide to part ways with your website builder, you can take several key features of your website with you:

Content: Your words, your images, your videos – they’re all yours to take with you.

Domain Name: If you’ve registered a custom domain through the website builder, you can usually transfer ownership to another registrar.

SEO Elements: Keep those search engine rankings intact by exporting or recreating your SEO settings on a new platform.

Media Library: Download or transfer your media files to a new hosting environment – they’re yours to keep.

User Data: Handle user data with care by exporting, deleting, or transferring it securely to maintain privacy and compliance.

Analytics and Tracking Codes: Keep tabs on your website traffic by transferring your analytics and tracking codes to a new platform.

And there you have it – a smooth transition from website builder to newfound independence. Just remember to plan carefully and execute the migration process with care to ensure a seamless transition.

Is a Website Builder Right For You?

The journey of learning something new – whether it’s mastering the art of bike riding or navigating the world of website building, the process is often filled with twists, turns, and unexpected challenges. 

So now you may be wondering, “is a website builder right for me?”

If we stick with our bike riding analogy, website builders are like training wheels on a bike, they provide a convenient and accessible way for businesses to get rolling online quickly. However, they may not always offer the flexibility and control needed to navigate complex terrain.

On the other hand, a custom website may be your solution– it utilizes the time, effort, and skill of experts in the industry and offers unparalleled freedom and customization. With a custom-built website, businesses can tailor every aspect of their online presence to align with their brand identity, target audience, and growth plans.

At Torrch, we offer web solutions for small businesses, churches, and nonprofits. When you choose our website build plans and custom website services, we believe any problem you may run into can be overcome. In fact, we will be your website gurus running alongside you as you take off, offering advice and making sure there are no roadblocks in your way. (Okay, have we taken the bike riding analogy too far?)

Next Steps For A Successfully Built Website

So, what are your next steps? Consider your business’s unique needs, goals, and resources. Are you looking for a quick and straightforward solution to establish an online presence, or do you require a more tailored approach to meet specific customization, scalability, and integration requirements?

Whichever path you choose, remember that the journey is just as important as the destination. Embrace the challenges, celebrate the victories, and keep pushing forward – whether you’re learning to ride a bike or building a website, the experience is all part of the adventure.

So, hop on and enjoy the ride – your online journey awaits!