Building a professional website may appear daunting, but using a website builder like WordPress simplifies the process by providing a variety of features, such as third-party plug-ins, themes, and widgets. Although WordPress is the most popular choice, if you are a small business owner, it might not be the best option for you.
In this article, we will focus on a few benefits that come from using a different and less-known website builder.
Let’s start:
Benefits of alternative website builders
Traditional website builders, such as WordPress, have many advantages, but they also have limitations. One issue is that many of WordPress’ most popular features are provided by third-party plug-ins, which can be difficult to manage and may cause update conflicts.
Furthermore, WordPress websites may have a slower loading speed, which can have a negative impact on the user experience, particularly on tablets and smartphones where attention spans are limited. Because of their widespread use, popular website builders such as WordPress may be more vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
It can be beneficial for small businesses to consider alternative options that may address some of these issues. These less popular alternatives may offer the following advantages:
1. Low-Cost Options
WordPress charges $50 per month for its e-commerce package, which can be prohibitively expensive for small businesses, especially when combined with other marketing costs. Lesser-known website builders, on the other hand, may offer discounts, free trials, and other price promotions to entice new users. These alternatives can help you save money while maintaining quality.
While these alternative builders may not be as well-known as WordPress or Wix, they can still offer premium design templates, customer support, e-commerce packages, and cybersecurity solutions on par with these larger companies. It’s important to note that paying more for a website does not always imply a higher level of quality.
2. Convenience
While WordPress and other well-known website builders provide a wealth of features, they can be difficult to navigate for small business owners. Even with tutorials and online courses available, there may not be enough time to fully learn how to use these platforms effectively.
Alternative website builders, on the other hand, focus on specific niches and provide user-friendly, targeted services that are easier to use. Some website builders prioritise the speed and responsiveness of their design templates, allowing business owners to create visually appealing websites on their own. Others prioritise user privacy and offer integrated tools for managing cookies and sensitive data. These alternative builders provide a more efficient solution for small businesses that need to move quickly by streamlining their services and focusing on specific needs.
3. Reliability and security
WordPress, as a popular platform, has previously been targeted by hackers and other malicious parties, posing a potential threat to the success of small businesses. This can be a problem if you are unfamiliar with advanced security and data backup solutions. Furthermore, WordPress does not provide integrated hosting options, forcing users to select from a list of hosting partners, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. This process can be time-consuming, particularly for those unfamiliar with website hosting.
Alternative website builders, on the other hand, frequently provide embedded solutions that address both of these issues. These options may provide a more streamlined and secure method of building and hosting a website, lowering the risk of cyber-attacks and simplifying the hosting process.
4. Compliance tools
It can be difficult to keep up with the latest regulations and ensure compliance as a small business owner. This is especially important when it comes to consumer data protection, as mandated by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or the Data Protection Act of 2018. Even though these regulations have been in place for some time, understanding what needs to be done to avoid fines and legal action can be difficult.
Alternative website builders frequently include integrated compliance tools to assist small businesses in staying up-to-date and compliant. These may include legal text generators that generate GDPR-compliant documents automatically, as well as regulatory change alerts to keep you informed of the changes. By utilising these tools, you can concentrate on growing your business without having to worry about compliance issues.
Conclusion
Although WordPress is the most popular option in terms of website builders, it is worth considering alternative builders that may cater better to small businesses in comparison to WordPress.