WordPress vs. HTML Websites vs. Wix – Which Makes Sense for Your Business?

When we work with clients, one of the first questions that come up is what platform they should use for their website. It can be quite confusing and overwhelming at first and we’re here to clear up any frequently asked questions that we receive and break it down in a simple description.

1. WordPress

Background:

According to a March 2018 study, approximately 30% of the entire internet was created with WordPress and this platform became extremely popular for its ease of use for the average person who isn’t familiar with the ins and outs of website design.

The burning question is how do I know if WordPress is right for my business website?

Pros:

• Easy to learn and understand how to make minor edits to the website (if the business owner wants to be involved in edits after the fact).
• Great for dynamic content that needs to be constantly updated (updated videos, updated blog posts, different sales that a business may offer, etc).
• Due to the large community, excellent support in online groups to easily identify and fix a problem.

Cons:

• Maintenance – different components of your WordPress website will need to be constantly updated or else functionality on the website can break. For a business owner that wants more of a hands-off approach, this can be a pain.
• Limits on customization (compared to an HTML website) – websites with WordPress may have a feel of more stock templated websites unless the design firm has an in-depth knowledge of the WordPress platform.

Real Examples:

• A Comedy Central comedian that we worked with needed to constantly update his tour schedule, videos, and other dynamic content.
• A pressure-washing contracting company with a website that needed to be constantly updated with new pictures to show the great work that they completed for happy clients.

Simple Conclusion:

If you don’t mind learning how to maintain your WordPress website and if you have content on your website that you need to switch up regularly, WordPress would be a great fit for your business website.

2. HTML Websites

Background:

A custom-coded website is built using various coding languages (HTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP, etc). When done by a professional design firm, it allows for a great deal of customization that can have your website really stand out among the competition. Additionally, it gives more freedom because it isn’t limited by a website builder.

Pros:

• Little to no maintenance at all – once set up, as long as you continue to pay your website hosting bill, the website will work with no issues at all and there will be no maintenance required of the business owner or his team.
• Easier customization – knowledgeable designers can create an authentic look for your business website that will impress prospective clients and your competitors who may have a less inspiring website.
• The website loading time is known to be much quicker with these sites vs. WordPress (website loading time is a key factor for SEO purposes).

Cons:

• Your business will need to rely on the website design firm to make even minor updates to the website. This is why it’s key to go with a trusted firm as you need to place your trust that they will be timely and responsible in updating the website for your business.
• Due to the high level of customization, it’s much easier for a design firm to create a website with issues if they are not experienced creating these sites for clients.

Real Examples:

• Retirement Planning Firm that did not need any changing or dynamic content and the owner did not have time to make any updates himself.
• A Title Insurance Firm that needed a simple website and didn’t want to be bothered with doing maintenance updates.

Simple Conclusion:

If your business needs a website that doesn’t require maintenance headaches and you have a trusted website design firm, this is definitely the right type of website for you.

3. Website Builders (Wix/Squarespace/Weebly) 

Background:

In recent years, companies like Wix and Squarespace have been extremely successful at growing rapidly. The reason for that is the ease of use and how the average person can pick up their building system to make a website for their business. The extremely low cost compared to getting a professional design firm allows the average small business owner to make a website on a budget.

However, challenges do arise, as explained in the cons section below, as although it may be cheaper, it may not make sense for some more successful/larger businesses.

Pros:

• Cost – simply, this will be the cheapest option that you will find out there for business websites.
• Intuitive drag and drop builder that can be picked up quite easily to put together your business site.

Cons:

• The appearance of these websites can often be generic looking and uninspiring to your prospective clients because these builders have limited capacities.
• The websites will not convert prospects into customers as effectively as a professionally-designed website would by a design firm. Although you can use templates and make a website look okay, unless you do extensive research into website design structures that work and have a background in writing persuasive copywriting, it’s going to be difficult to get the results your business deserves.

Real Examples:

• A small local coffee shop that doesn’t have a large budget but just needs a simple site.
• A local jewelry shop that wants a simple feature to purchase their jewelry online.

Simple Conclusion:

Our firm, Norba Design, will often recommend these types of builders for prospective clients where it may not make sense for them to invest a large amount into a website project (if they don’t have the budget, if each client isn’t worth that much to them, etc).

For a large construction company where one contract could easily be 6 to 7 figures of revenue, it makes sense for that business to invest in their online presence to get a website that inspires potential clients. However, for the coffee shop where a new client means a purchase of a $3 cup of coffee, it’s hard to justify the cost of getting a professional website designer.

If you have any questions at all, give us a call or send us an email and we would be more than happy to have one of our professionals speak to you about what your best option would be with your unique situation.

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (973) 922-0049

Website: NorbaDesign.com