When you want to build a website, there are 2 methods that you can choose from. You can code the whole website from start to finish or you can choose a website builder where you can drag and drop parts to build your site. Website builders, especially the top ones, allow you to complete the task faster. But if you choose to code the website from scratch, you have the freedom to customize every single part according to your style. Although some website builders can offer more levels of customization, coding by hand provides you with more possibilities.

However, there’s a catch. You do need experience with website development if you want to build a beautiful and functional website. If you’re not an expert, you need to read up or watch tutorials before you can bring your vision to life. And even with guides and walkthroughs, it can still be a difficult task.

If you do have the time and development experience, there are two alternative paths that you can follow. In this article, we will try to determine which one is better.

Advantages of Website Builders

Let’s start comparing the two options by talking about the benefits that you can get from website builders.

1. Available Templates

The most common features that beginners would use a website builder for are the hundreds of template options.

These provide you with an already existing design that can be customized to fit your needs. When you decide to code by hand, you’ll start with a blank slate.

2. Lower Costs and Time

If you have a reliable website builder such as Web.com or Wix, you can get build your website even without coding experience. Website builders get rid of the need to start a coding crash course or look for third-party assistance. You can get the task done faster and at a lower cost.

3. Drag and Drop Feature

The major advantage of website builders is the drag and drop feature. Most services will have a user-friendly feature that allows you to select a website feature or part in the style that you want and drag it to your canvas. You don’t have to worry about writing any code.

4. Easy to customize

In addition to the drag and drop feature, you can also quickly customize these parts without writing the code yourself. Most website builders will allow you to change the size of the block, the text size and color, background color, and the location of the part you’re customizing. If you do have some experience with coding and website development, website builders also allow you to edit the code directly.

5. Ease of use

Website builders were designed to make creating your website a less daunting task. The interface is inherently user-friendly and intuitive. You can find a range of options from a menu that’s easy to access. Since you don’t have to write the code from scratch, there are also fewer chances of making errors and experiencing dysfunctional parts of a website.

Benefits of Hand Coding

Now that you know what website builders can offer, let’s talk about what benefits you can get out of hand coding.

1. No limits to customization

When you code your website by hand, you decide how to customize everything. Although website builders also offer some level of customization, their tools are limited in terms of what you can manipulate to make a unique website.

2. Understand your own code

People with experience in website development will tell you that it’s easier to understand and therefore manipulate your own code versus having to go around another developer’s existing code. When you code a website from start to finish, you have a better understanding of the elements which gives you more chances to optimize it if required.

3. Hand coding provides better efficiency

If you can code your website by hand, then you have the ability to write code that fits your needs and requirements better instead of a general code from website builders. But then again, you also need a certain level of experience to achieve this.

Which businesses use hand coding?

Although website builders like Wix offer users plenty of customizing options, certain types of businesses do like to create their websites by writing their own code. Most of these businesses can be categorized as IT. This means that they have a lot of resources and expertise to put up a website without the help of a website builder.

Which businesses use a website builder?

Today’s technology has become more advanced and many businesses want to find a quick, efficient, and cost-effective way to launch a website. Startups and even conglomerate chains find benefits in using a website builder. Decision-makers who may not have the expertise in website development can have a say in how their website is created.

Top Website Builder Recommendations

The truth is that you can’t claim that one website builder is the best among all. The best website builder for you will depend on your needs and goals. However, we do have a list of website builders that we can always recommend to anyone looking to create their website. You can decide which builder best suits your goals.

HostGator

HostGator is known for its reliable and affordable shared hosting. They launched the Gator Website to provide businesses and individuals the essential tools to create a professional business website or a personal one.

Site23

Site23 offers a wide range of tools that are easy to use to eliminate any need for coding or design experience. All you have to do is provide the content and the builder will complete the site for you.

Wix

Wix is a popular name when it comes to website builders, and there’s a reason for that. Wix offers a plan that provides total access to a vast collection of templates that you can customize. The drag and drop feature is also incredibly simple to use.

Bottomline

In this digital era, your online presence is a huge component of growing your business. More visitors, more traffic, and eventually more customers search for company websites instead of a physical store. Handheld devices like smartphones and tablets provide increased accessibility and ease of use. A responsive, user-friendly, and equally beautiful website is a necessity and you’ll need to proper tools to create one.
For many business owners who are not in the IT industry or have no coding experience, website builders allow them to get the website they need faster and sometimes more cost-efficient. As technology develops, it is safe to say that these types of services will be even more sophisticated than they already are.