Website Builder vs Web Designer: How to Choose

• May 22 2024
• by Ilona K.

Design is a deal breaker when it comes to creating an attractive, user-friendly website. However, businesses often face a dilemma: how much to invest in web design, and whether to trust a professional or rely on website builders as a tool for fast and high-quality website creation. How can you decide which option is right for you?

While web design may seem a complex job worth hiring a professional for, there is always a choice; either find a designer or do it using a website builder. It all depends on your goals, budget, and deadlines. 

Web designer

A web designer is a specialist who creates the “look” of a website. Designers not only provide visuals, but also create a logical structure for websites, devise user-friendly solutions for information presentation, and address other UX design issues.

The average cost on the U.S. market of a designer’s work is currently $30–80 per hour. Creating a simple website with a small number of pages takes 30–60 hours, so a company website can potentially cost between $5,000 and $10,000. However, the cost varies, as, amongst other factors, it depends on the type of website, complexity, responsiveness and functionality required. 

Who can benefit from hiring a web designer?

If a business needs to visualize their corporate identity, wants a complex  interface and customized solutions , they should consider hiring a web designer.

Collaboration with a professional web designer is beneficial for:

• Those seeking custom solutions.
• Businesses requiring specific complex functionality.
• Companies with extensive content and third-party connections that demand additional design solutions.

Web designer pros and cons

Pros:

• Custom design. A unique interface that sets you apart from competitors.
• Flexibility. You can create a bespoke project with the option to include UX design, copywriting and development of brand identity packaging for the website.
• Expertise. A professional designer has knowledge, understands modern trends and can tell you exactly how to ensure better website performance.
• Comprehensive analysis. In-depth analysis of your company, competitors, and target audience by designer, to create a website design that will work specifically for your business and benefit it.
• Resource management. You don’t have to go into the details of creating a website yourself; instead, you can devote more time to your business.

Cons:

• Speed. The process of website creation may take longer with a designer than with website builder, as a designer crafts a unique product.
• Cost. The services of a designer typically come with a higher price tag.
• Specialist selection. The search for a reliable and qualified professional may require a significant investment of time if you have not yet met one or have no one to recommend a designer.

Website Builder

Website builder services allow users to create website designs with little to no expertise. You have access to ready-made templates that offer user-friendly interfaces. You can use off-the-shelf blocks, images and fonts to craft the appearance of the website.

The average cost of using a website builder typically falls below $200, with free options available. The price depends on the service plan selected.

When to use a website builder? 

Website builders are a great option for those looking for a simple, speedy and efficient way to create a website by themselves if it’s needed and without large financial commitments. You don’t need in-depth technical knowledge or design skills to use builders.

Builders are ideal for personal projects, small businesses, or temporary initiatives. Also, builders are well suited for one-page sites, such as business cards or personal pages. For these types of sites, a complex design is not required; you just need to add personal visuals and brand style (if you have it) to stand out from the crowd.

Website builders are advantageous for:

• Businesses which don’t require detailed websites with custom features.
• Those who want to create a website on their own, but don’t have special knowledge in design, programming, etc.
• Time-constrained companies or individuals.
• Companies who need websites for different temporary projects or initiatives such as sales, events, informational pages.

Website builder pros and cons 

Pros:

• Easy to use. Most builders are designed so that people with no experience or minimal skills can independently create websites, landing pages, portfolios, or online stores without the help of a designer. 
• Speed. You can create and immediately launch standard projects in a few days or even hours, depending on the size of the website. The time frame depends mainly on the website’s focus, the number of pages, the content, and the time each day you can devote to it.
• Price. All website builder services have predefined pay plans and work on a subscription basis. Cost plans reflect the number of features received for a certain fee, so you can choose a pricing plan that suits the task. Some builders with free plans are suitable for small, one-page business card websites.

Cons:

• Results might look quite similar to other sites created on builders. Builders have a set of ready-made templates, with few customizable options. Ultimately, sites created with the same builder will inevitably have a similar appearance.
• Limited capabilities. Some builders have page limits or don’t allow extra elements to be added. 
• Providing your own visuals. You will need to select pictures, backgrounds, fonts, and other visual elements by yourself, so the final look will depend on your visual aesthetics.

Builder and designer

Importantly, you can use both options in certain cases, for instance, when you do not need comprehensive design but still want to show their brand personality. You can turn to a specialist to create a website using a builder program. In this case, the designer, relying on their knowledge and experience, will design your website from the templates available on the builder, select colors and create visuals.

With this option, a specialist uses their awareness of modern trends to carefully place template blocks, choose brand colors, arrange visuals and think through the menu. The end result is a distinctive website that reflects your brand’s personality while keeping your budget to a minimum.

The collaboration of man and technology is increasingly gaining momentum in any field, web design is no exception. Indeed, in the hands of a professional designer, even such a seemingly simple tool as a builder gives an opportunity to create high-quality and unique websites with user-friendly interfaces.

Alternatively, you can hire a designer to create a brand identity pack, and then design your website yourself using a builder and the elements from the brand pack.

A builder is a good tool for quickly creating websites for various purposes, and in the hands of a professional designer it allows you to get a high-quality website that will be individual and attract users.

Ultimately, it’s up to you whether to choose a website builder or hire a specialist to create a website design. Rely on your capabilities and needs to determine what kind of site you want and what budget you are willing to allocate.

Want to know more about website solutions for your business? Visit the it.com Domains blog and follow us on social media.

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