You have probably seen the cheeky ads for free website builders like Wix and Weebly. The creators of these tools claim that they make building a good website fast, easy and free of the substantial fee some agencies charge.
While free website builders do offer some advantages, the age-old adage applies in this situation: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
No Advanced Technical Expertise Required
One of the biggest benefits of website builders is that most of the coding and other technical work is done for you. All you need to do is upload your content into the pre-existing templates.
Bear in mind that, because these templates have already been created, the final result will look generic, old and outdated. The inherent risk of a generic design is that your audience may perceive your business to be inferior and behind-the-times.
Lower SEO Costs
Getting a professional website agency to manage your search engine optimization (SEO) is pricey. There is no denying it. Website builders give you a low-cost option for SEO that sounds very tempting.
However, there is a reason why SEO specialists charge a pretty penny for their services. Creating and executing successful SEO campaigns is an art that requires an advanced level of skill. And when SEO is done well, it can pay enormous dividends for your business.
On Your Own
Perhaps the biggest risk of using a free website builder is losing everything. If your website goes down for any reason, you lack the services of an agency that can salvage it. The same is true for any technical issues you may encounter. These tools do not offer a dedicated support team. Their support resources are minimal at best.
When it comes to creating your own website, you really do get what you pay for. Using the services of a professional agency may cost more upfront, but the payoff you will get from their expertise and support is well worth the investment.
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