03.11.2024 
Before you start your website developing process, it’s important to answer a few key questions. This will help you better understand which tools are right for your project:
- What tasks should the website perform?
Define the main goal of the website: sales, information support, lead generation, etc. - What functions are needed at each stage of the sales funnel?
Think about how the website will help at different stages of customer interaction – from interest to purchase. - What websites do you like and dislike?
Give examples of websites with design and functionality that appeal to you or, conversely, do not suit you and why. - Website flexibility and budgeting:
Estimate the cost of creating and maintaining the website. Will it be easy to expand the functionality in the future, and do you need it? These points directly affect the cost of website development and further administration.
Creating a website is an important stage in the development of any business, so choosing the right platform plays a key role. There are three main approaches to website development: using website builders, CMS (content management systems), or developing a custom solution. In this article, we’ll look at each of them, their features, advantages, and disadvantages to help you make the right choice for your project.
1. Website builders
Website builders are platforms that allow you to create websites without programming knowledge. Popular website builders include Weblium, WIX, Shopify and others. They offer a quick and easy solution for small businesses or startups that saves time and budget.
Advantages of website builders:
– Speed of launch: Thanks to ready-made templates and a simple interface, a website can be launched in a few days.
– Low cost: Website builders are suitable for small businesses that have a limited budget. The cost of creating a website is lower compared to other options.
– Easy administration: Even a beginner without technical knowledge can manage the website. No need to know coding or other complex technical details.
Disadvantages of website builders:
– Limited features: If you need more complex solutions or plan to significantly expand the functionality, the builder’s capabilities may not be enough.
– Features for SEO: Limited SEO settings can negatively affect the visibility of a website in Search Engines. For effective SEO promotion and achievement of strategic goals, the functionality of the builders is not suitable.
– Migration: If you want to transfer your website to another platform, it can be problematic.
When should you choose a website builder?
If you need a quick start and are ready for certain limitations in functionality, a website builder will be a great solution. But if you plan to scale or need customized solutions, it is better to pay attention to CMS or custom development.
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2. CMS (Content Management Systems)
CMS systems (Content Management Systems) provide more flexibility and scalability than builders. The most popular CMSs are WordPress, OpenCart, PrestaShop, Magento, and Drupal. They are suitable for creating online stores, blogs, corporate websites, business cards, etc.
Advantages of CMS:
– Flexibility and extensibility: CMSs allow you to easily add new pages, functionality, and some out-of-the-box solutions. They are ideal for projects that will need to expand functionality over time.
– SEO potential: CMS systems, such as WordPress, offer a wide range of tools for optimizing a website for Search Engines and promoting it effectively.
– Customization: The ability to adapt the design and functionality of the website to your needs through the use of plugins and templates.
Disadvantages of CMS:
– All the advantages of CMS directly depend on the qualifications of the developer. For complex websites, you will need a team with the appropriate experience.
– Cost of support: Creating a website on a CMS may require additional costs for support and updates.
When to choose a CMS?
CMS is ideal for those who want a flexible solution that can be easily updated and scaled. It’s a great choice for online stores or websites that need to update content regularly.
3. Custom websites
Custom development is the creation of a unique website from scratch, fully adapted to the needs of the business. This solution is suitable for large companies or those who have specific tasks and business processes that cannot be implemented using designers or CMS.
Advantages of custom websites:
– Full customization: You get a website that perfectly meets your needs and is not limited to templates or standard features.
– Uniqueness: The ability to create absolutely unique functionality and design that will set your business apart from the competition.
– Security and scalability: A custom website allows you to develop a product with a high level of security and flexibility for future development.
Disadvantages of custom websites:
– High cost: Creating a custom website requires significant financial investments, especially when it comes to complex functionality.
– Development time: The process of creating a custom website can take a lot of time because all elements are developed individually.
– If the initial development team does not leave detailed instructions, it may be difficult to change the team for further website maintenance.
When to choose a custom solution?
If you have unique requirements or are planning a large, long-term project, a custom website is the best choice. This is a serious investment that will provide you with maximum flexibility and the ability to implement any ideas.
Conclusion:
Choosing a platform for creating a website depends on many factors: your business goals, budget, functional requirements, and future plans. If you are looking for a quick start, website builders will provide simplicity and low costs. For flexibility and scalability, choose a CMS, and if your project requires unique solutions, a custom website will be the best option.
Choose a platform that will help you achieve your business goals!
