Website Builder vs. Web Designer / Developer

In this article I am going to attempt to break down the differences between using an online website builder like Wix, GoDaddy, and the like vs. hiring a Web Developer, Web Designer, or Consultant.

For most people looking to get a website going, they will either find themselves at a GoDaddy or Wix from all the ads you find on the internet, radio, or TV. Lots of people from your everyday neighbour, to famous celebrities, telling you how easy and quick it is to get up and going, and they are right.

These tools are used to get a basic website up and going quick. You can sign up for a service with one of these companies, drag and drop content on top of pre-made themes and your good to go. The ease of these tools makes it so just about anyone can get up and go in minutes.

Web Developer

A web developer is a programmer who specializes in, or is specifically engaged in, the development of World Wide Web applications, or distributed network applications that are run over HTTP from a web server to a web browser.

-Wikipedia

Web Designer

A web designer is someone who is both creative and technically inclined, and uses both these attributes to build or redesign websites. The web designer has the ability to understand what is needed to make a website functional and easy to use, but at the same time make it aesthetically appealing to the user.

Website Builder

With website builders there is a fixed rate, $4.99, $9.99, $19.99 + / mo. charge 

Web Developer / Designer

I combine the two here because the pricing is very similar for both. You will find that they charge one of two ways. Either by the hour or by value.

With an hourly rate, you can get a quick idea of how much your site/app will cost, although the price varies greatly depending on the developer. Their skills and knowledge of different technologies, for designers their creativity all play major factors into their rate. Prices for most developers from my research on the googles ranges from $50–$120+ / hour.

A value-based price (fixed price) for a complete site/app / or feature, will be something the developer/designer will work up depending on what you need and/or want. I cannot give any numbers here because again this all depends on what you’re looking for.

Meeting your Developer / Designer / Consultant

If you meet a developer, designer or consultant for the first time, and you say something like:

“I’m thinking about having a website made for {insert purpose here}, how much does something like go for?” Then stare blankly at him/her waiting for an answer.

The question of, “How much?”, should NEVER be an awkward one, but expecting a number within minutes of the meeting and not going over anything will almost never end well. You will put the developer, designer or consultant in an “awkward” position of trying to keep you interested in hiring him/her, but at the same time not wanting to price too high or low based off of almost no information.

If you have not done so yet, make an appointment, sit down with him/her, most will not charge for this initial meeting. Go over what you’re looking for, then ask the question. A good web specialist will do some quick calculations in their head to get a very “ballpark” range. They may have template sites up and say, “is this what you’re looking for?”. If the latter, then they may have a “starting” price for you right there.

The most important thing.

Website Builder, Scour all of the templates, play with EVERY feature. Learn what ALL the limitations are, with the builder there are always limitations. If you have trouble, use the contact support feature, there is always someone there to help explain what you’re capable of and not capable of doing.

If you have taken the step towards a custom site, and you made your appointment to meet with your web specialist. Listen to what they have to say.

The Developer, explain everything to them, then listen to what they are able to actually accomplish for you.

The Designer, you have an idea of what you want, you bring them some drawing on a napkin, explain your vision, then sit back and listen to what they can do for you and your vision.

With all of these meetings if your developer is good there will be a lot of back and forth. This is what you want. If the conversation is one way, either way, your most likely not going to get what you are looking for. If you’re doing all the talking and telling, the developer is going to give you EXACTLY what you’re asking for with none of his/her insights which may lead to a bad online presence. If the specialist is doing all the talking after looking at the napkin sketch, you most likely won’t get what you’re looking for (this may work out for you if they are really good and deliver something you like, but it’s too big of a gamble).