Website Builder vs Manual Coding: The Ultimate Showdown for Your Web Development Needs!

Should you build your website using code or opt for a website builder? This is a crucial decision for many aspiring web developers.

At CanadaCreate, we’ve explored numerous methods for creating websites to assist our audience. Since many of our readers are beginners, we feel well-equipped to share our insights.

It’s important to understand that while coding offers complete control, website builders allow beginners to create impressive sites quickly. The best choice depends on your specific needs, skills, and objectives.

In this article, we will provide a straightforward and honest comparison between website builders and manual coding, highlighting their respective advantages and disadvantages, along with guidance on selecting the right option for you.

Website Builder vs Manual Coding: An Overview

Understanding Manual Coding and Website Builders

Let’s clarify the concepts of manual coding and website builders. These represent two distinct methods for website creation, each with unique benefits and drawbacks.

Manual coding, often referred to as hand coding, is akin to constructing a house from the ground up. You create your website using specific programming languages that web browsers can interpret to properly display your content.

The most commonly used languages for this purpose are HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. HTML organizes your content, CSS enhances its appearance, and JavaScript introduces interactive elements.

In contrast, a website builder functions like using pre-made components to assemble your house. These tools offer an intuitive interface that allows you to design your site without needing to write any code.

Well-known examples include WordPress, Wix, and the Hostinger Website Builder. These platforms provide templates and drag-and-drop functionality, simplifying the process for beginners to create visually appealing websites.

Is WordPress considered a website builder?

WordPress is a widely-used open-source content management system (CMS) that you can download for free. It has developed to offer robust website building features.

For instance, it includes page builder tools such as SeedProd and Thrive Architect, which simplify the process of creating your website.

The primary distinction between WordPress and typical website builders is that you must purchase and configure your own web hosting. In contrast, other platforms come with hosting already set up, allowing you to start building your site immediately.

A significant difference between WordPress and standard website builders is the requirement to buy and configure your own web hosting.

Given its popularity, we will also incorporate WordPress in our comparison of website builders versus manual coding.

Website Builders vs Coding: A Statistical Overview

Many individuals debate whether to use a website builder or manual coding, as both methods remain prevalent. To clarify this, let’s examine some key statistics.

According to W3Techs, which monitors website development trends, 43.4% of all websites are created using WordPress. In comparison, other well-known website builders like Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace account for 4.5%, 2.8%, and 2.1% of websites, respectively.

In summary, more than half of all websites are built using website builders or content management systems like WordPress.

Interestingly, 30.7% of websites do not utilize any of the website-building tools monitored by W3Techs. This doesn’t necessarily mean that all these sites are custom-coded, but it’s likely that many are. Therefore, despite the popularity of website builders, there remains a significant number of custom-coded websites.

These statistics highlight an important trend: while website builders are increasingly popular, manual coding continues to be widely practiced.

Let’s explore the pros and cons of using a website builder or WordPress compared to manual coding. This will help you determine the best option for your needs. You can use the quick links below to navigate this article:

First, let’s begin with a comprehensive overview of website builders.

Advantages of Website Builders: User-Friendly and Accessible

User-Friendly

One of the primary benefits of website builders is their ease of use. You don’t need to be a tech expert or have any coding knowledge to start creating your website. It’s similar to assembling with digital Lego blocks; you simply select the components you want and arrange them as you wish.

This low entry barrier allows anyone to build a website, whether you’re a small business owner, a blogger, or someone looking to showcase a personal hobby online.

For instance, if you choose the Hostinger Website Builder, getting started is straightforward: sign up for a plan, follow the onboarding wizard to set up your site, and you’ll be taken to the website-building interface.

Using the drag-and-drop editor, you can easily add and rearrange all the elements on your site while viewing them in real time. Whenever you want to make changes, simply click on an element, and you can customize it to suit your preferences.

Using a page builder like SeedProd on WordPress offers a straightforward setup process. While it may take a bit longer to configure hosting and the website compared to platforms like Hostinger, you won’t need to write any code.

Once you have the page builder plugin installed, you can select a theme template kit for your website and begin customizing it using an intuitive drag-and-drop interface. The process is simple: click on a block to modify it with the available tools.

Pre-Made Templates

One of the advantages of website builders is their customizable templates. You don’t need to be a design professional to create a polished and attractive website.

For example, Thrive Architect offers over 300 templates tailored to various industries, including online retail, SaaS, and home services. These templates serve as beautifully designed starting points, allowing you to pick one you like and make it your own.

You can personalize your website further by adjusting colors, fonts, and layouts to reflect your unique style or brand identity.

This ensures that your website stands out and doesn’t resemble others that use the same templates.

Quick Setup

If you need to launch a website quickly, website builders are an ideal solution. They allow you to create a basic site in just a few hours, making them perfect for landing page campaigns or establishing a quick online presence for events.

Interesting fact: When the OptinMonster team required a landing page for their advertising campaign, they utilized SeedProd to create one in under 30 minutes. This rapid launch not only expedited their campaign but also boosted their conversions by an impressive 340%.

Extensive Range of Built-in Features

Website builders typically come equipped with a comprehensive set of features. Essential tools like contact forms, photo galleries, and opt-in forms are readily available, eliminating the need to search for additional tools or plugins since everything you require is conveniently included in the builder.

Some builders, such as SeedProd, may even incorporate an AI feature. This functionality simplifies the content generation process, allowing you to create text without the need for a copywriter or a graphic web designer.

SeedProd also offers a fully integrated AI website builder that can create a functional site from a simple description. This method, known as vibe coding, enables you to launch a basic website almost instantly while still allowing for further customization.

Platforms such as Hostinger Website Builder, Wix, and Squarespace often include eCommerce features to help you sell online.

This means you can manage your business and create an online store all in one place without needing an additional platform.

If you choose WordPress along with a page builder, you can easily install WooCommerce to launch your online store while utilizing the page builder’s templates for your website design.

Continuous Support and Updates

Using a website builder means you have support at your fingertips. Most platforms provide customer service and regularly update their features, so you won’t have to handle technical issues or keep your site’s technology current by yourself.

For instance, SeedProd offers a wealth of resources, including comprehensive documentation and a collection of blog tutorials to guide you through the process. You can also submit a support ticket for direct help from their team.

If you opt for a hosted platform like Wix or Squarespace, your web hosting is managed for you. This allows you to concentrate on designing the front end of your site without worrying about backend hosting configurations.

Drawbacks of Website Builders: Limited Customization and Potential Costs

Reliance on the Platform

One major drawback of website builders is their platform dependency. This means your website is reliant on the builder’s system, which can create issues if the company makes significant changes or, worse, goes out of business.

Additionally, the features you can access are often restricted to what the platform provides. While some builders like Wix or Squarespace may offer an addon library, the available features depend on what addons are offered. You might also need to pay extra for certain extensions.

This is why we often recommend using WordPress with a page builder as a superior website building solution. It provides greater flexibility and customization options because it is an open-source platform with a vast array of WordPress plugins and themes.

Rather than being confined to a single provider, you have the freedom to enhance your site’s functionality. Furthermore, if you ever decide to relocate your site or completely change your theme, WordPress simplifies the process, allowing you to do so without starting over.

Limited Customization Options

Website builders frequently come with pre-designed templates, which can result in similar designs across many sites. This lack of customization can be disappointing for users seeking a truly unique website.

It’s essential to evaluate whether having a completely unique design is always advantageous. As Kate Shokurova from UX Collective highlights:

While 99% of websites are functional, excessive creativity may lead to designs that, while visually appealing, are less effective as business tools. Many innovative attempts to create engaging emotional experiences can distract users from their primary goals, such as making a purchase, reading content, watching videos, or finding information. Therefore, criticizing today’s websites for being uninteresting may be misguided.

Kate Shokurova from UX Collective

These templates are intentionally designed in similar ways for good reason. They adhere to best practices and provide a familiar experience for users, which helps minimize the time needed for them to navigate and comprehend your site.

This sense of familiarity can actually be advantageous, particularly for business owners aiming to encourage users to take specific actions.

Risk of Excessive Code

Our research into why many developers prefer hand-coding websites revealed that speed is a primary factor. Websites created with builders can often contain bloated code, including unnecessary elements that may hinder their overall performance.

After years of experimenting with different website builders, we’ve found that this isn’t always true. Some website builders offer fast hosting and an integrated content delivery network (CDN) to enhance your site’s performance.

This is another reason we suggest using WordPress along with a page builder. There are numerous speed optimization and caching plugins available, allowing you to avoid relying on a website builder’s hosting service to ensure your site operates efficiently.

Additionally, certain page builders have demonstrated the ability to create impressively fast websites. In our comparison of Elementor, Divi, and SeedProd, all demo sites we evaluated achieved scores of 90 or higher on PageSpeed Insights, with SeedProd achieving a score of 93.

Recurring Expenses

Many website builders follow a subscription-based pricing model, which means you’ll incur ongoing expenses to maintain your site.

The pricing varies significantly as well. Hostinger Website Builder plans start at $2.69 per month when billed annually (totaling $32.28 per year). In contrast, SeedProd’s plans begin at $39.50 per year. If you choose Wix, expect to pay between $17 and $159 monthly.

Although the costs can be significant, it’s essential to evaluate the value you receive. Subscription services typically offer regular updates, security enhancements, and customer support, which can ultimately save you time and reduce stress.

Most importantly, you won’t have to spend time and money learning to code from the ground up.

When to Opt for a Website Builder Instead of Manual Coding

You might prefer a website builder over manual coding if:

• You are a beginner with minimal or no coding experience.
• You need to launch a website quickly for a time-sensitive project, event, or campaign.
• You want to set up a straightforward blog or portfolio site.
• You wish to experiment with a website idea before committing to a custom-built solution.
• You are a small business owner or entrepreneur who wants to concentrate on your primary business activities rather than web development.
• You are part of a nonprofit or community organization with limited technical capabilities.

Certainly, there are many specific scenarios where a website builder may be more suitable. These are just a few of the most common situations.

Guidelines for Selecting a Website Builder

Before selecting a website builder, it’s essential to conduct thorough research. This will help you choose the most suitable option for your requirements. Here are some helpful tips:

1. Assess your budget.Many website builders provide free plans to get started, but premium features typically require a subscription. Compare pricing and features to discover the best value.
2. Analyze the available features.Make sure the builder includes the functionalities you need, such as specific WordPress design elements like rotating testimonials or a custom scrollbar.
3. Investigate the builder’s track record.Opt for well-established platforms that have been in the market for a while and support numerous websites. This minimizes the risk of using a service that might discontinue operations soon.
4. Consider scalability.Evaluate whether the builder’s features can adapt to your growing needs over time. Look for examples of established businesses that utilize those builders to gain better insights.

We highly recommend using WordPress in conjunction with a page builder. This combination provides the perfect balance: the user-friendliness of a website builder along with the flexibility and extensibility of WordPress. It’s perfect for beginners and also robust enough for advanced users.

While WordPress requires web hosting, many providers now offer one-click installations, simplifying the setup process. For instance, Bluehost is officially endorsed by WordPress.org and provides an easy installation experience.

Additionally, WordPress boasts a vast and dedicated community, making it easy to find resources and support for using the platform. Here are some examples created by our team at CanadaCreate:

• How to Edit Your WordPress Website
• Tips for Creating a Mobile-Friendly WordPress Site
• How to Build a High-Converting Squeeze Page in WordPress

If you’re interested in trying WordPress before making a commitment, consider using WordPress Playground. It allows you to experience WordPress directly in your browser, giving you a taste of the platform.

Advantages of Manual Coding: Enhanced Control and Customization

Next, let’s evaluate the benefits of using manual coding to develop a website.

Complete Control

When you manually code your website, you have the ability to define every element of your site’s design, functionality, and performance. This degree of control is especially attractive to those with coding skills who wish to meticulously craft every aspect of their online presence.

For instance, you can enhance your website’s loading speed by writing clean, efficient code that avoids the unnecessary bloat often associated with website builders. This level of control applies to every aspect of your page, enabling you to craft a truly distinctive user experience.

Complete Customization

The freedom to design unique, custom layouts without restrictions is a major advantage of coding from the ground up. While website builders typically limit you to their templates and design options, manual coding empowers you to realize any design concept you envision.

This degree of customization is particularly beneficial for businesses or individuals aiming to differentiate themselves in a competitive online environment. With manual coding expertise, you can develop interactive features, distinctive layouts, and tailored functionalities that are often unattainable with standard website builders.

Enhanced Performance

When you hand-code a website, there is a greater opportunity for creating optimized, lightweight code. This can lead to quicker loading times and improved overall performance, which are essential for user satisfaction and effective search engine optimization.

Skilled developers can create streamlined, effective code that fulfills its purpose without unnecessary components. Achieving this level of precision is more challenging with website builders, which often add extraneous code for features that may not be utilized.

It’s worth noting that contemporary website builders and WordPress plugins have made significant advancements. They now offer excellent performance and SEO benefits without the need for coding knowledge.

No Platform Limitations

The ability to customize and modify code without the constraints of a fixed interface is a significant benefit of manual coding. As your website expands and changes, you can seamlessly introduce new features or adjust existing ones without being hindered by the limitations of a website builder.

This adaptability is especially crucial for complex or enterprise-level websites, or those with specific needs that standard website builders may not adequately address.

Additionally, a custom-coded website is not reliant on third-party software updates. This grants you greater control over when and how your site evolves, minimizing the chances of unforeseen problems resulting from automatic updates.

Educational Experience

Although not the best choice for beginners, building a website from the ground up offers a valuable learning experience. It enhances your knowledge of web technologies, which can be beneficial for future projects or career advancement.

You may even aspire to become a professional web developer in the future.

This path allows you to work as a freelancer, earning income by creating websites for clients.

Cost-Effective in the Long Run

One advantage of hand-coding is its potential for long-term cost savings, as you won’t face recurring subscription fees.

However, it’s essential to acknowledge that your time is valuable.

For small business owners, the time invested in learning to code and developing the site could be better spent on other aspects of the business.

While you may save on monthly expenses, it’s important to factor in the cost of your time investment.

Drawbacks of Manual Coding: Time Commitment and Learning Curve

Steep Learning Curve

It may be evident, but the steep learning curve is one of the primary drawbacks of coding websites from scratch.

Mastering front-end development involves more than just HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. To build fully functional and dynamic websites, you also need to learn server-side languages like PHP, Python, or Ruby, along with database management systems such as MySQL.

This learning process can be daunting, especially for newcomers. It’s not a skill that can be acquired overnight; it demands ongoing practice and commitment to truly excel.

Significant Time Commitment

Creating a website through hand coding requires a considerable time commitment, from acquiring the necessary skills to honing them through practice.

In contrast to website builders, which allow you to launch a basic site in just minutes, coding a site from scratch can take weeks or even months, depending on the site’s complexity and your proficiency.

Ultimately, the advantages of coding from the ground up may not justify the additional time investment, particularly if you need to launch your site quickly.

Challenges in Content Updates

When coding a website, updating content can be more complicated, especially if your team includes non-coders. Unlike website builders that provide intuitive interfaces for content management, hand-coded websites typically require direct modifications to the code.

This can create delays in updating content, as all modifications must be approved by someone with coding expertise.

Difficulties in Introducing New Features

Many website builders provide plugins or applications that can be seamlessly integrated with just a few clicks. In contrast, when coding from scratch, you’ll need to either develop these features yourself or locate, assess, and incorporate third-party libraries or APIs.

This approach can be time-consuming and may necessitate additional learning, particularly if you’re dealing with unfamiliar technologies or APIs.

Ongoing Maintenance and Security Issues

Websites built with manual coding require continuous maintenance to ensure they remain secure and compatible with the latest web standards and browser updates.

This responsibility rests solely on you or your development team, highlighting a crucial difference in security management:

• Complete User Responsibility (Manual Coding):You are fully accountable for everything, including implementing security patches, updates, and safeguarding against attacks.
• Provider Responsibility (Hosted Builders):With platforms like Wix or Squarespace, the company manages all technical security aspects for you. You only need to create a strong password.
• Shared Responsibility (WordPress):Building a website is a collaborative effort. Your hosting provider ensures server security, while the WordPress core team maintains the software’s integrity. Nonetheless, you are responsible for regularly updating your themes and plugins, using strong passwords, and implementing additional security measures.

When to Opt for Manual Coding Instead of Website Builders

Consider manual coding if you meet the following criteria:

• You have a passion for coding and wish to improve your skills.
• You require a highly customized website with specific features.
• Your project demands optimal performance and fast load times.
• You desire full control over your website’s code and functionality.
• You want to eliminate the recurring subscription fees that come with some website builders.
• You aspire to build a career in web development.

Keep in mind that if you are a complete beginner, manually coding a website can be a lengthy and challenging endeavor.

Essential Tips for Getting Started with Manual Coding

If you’re eager to learn how to code websites from the ground up, here are some helpful tips to begin your journey:

1. Start by learning HTML and CSS, as these are the fundamental building blocks of web development.
2. Once you’re comfortable with HTML and CSS, progress to JavaScript to add interactivity to your websites.
3. Next, dive into a back-end programming language. Popular choices include PHP, Python, and Ruby, which enable you to build dynamic websites.
4. Make coding a regular habit. It’s a skill that improves with practice, so consider creating small projects to reinforce your learning.
5. Utilize online learning resources. Numerous free coding tutorials and courses are available on the internet.
6. Engage with coding communities. Platforms like Stack Overflow are excellent for seeking assistance and gaining insights.
7. Investigate frameworks and libraries. Once you grasp the basics, explore tools such as React or Vue.js for front-end development.

Keep in mind that learning to code requires time and dedication. While it may not be the quickest option for beginners needing a website, the skills you acquire will be immensely beneficial over time.

If you’re interested in learning the fundamentals, check out our beginner’s guide on how to create a website.

Why We Favor the Combination of Website Builders and Coding

Honestly, you don’t need to pick between a website builder or WordPress and manual coding. There’s a third option that combines the strengths of both, which we refer to as the hybrid approach.

A hybrid approach combines an easy-to-use website builder with the option for custom coding when necessary. This strategy merges the simplicity of website builders with the versatility of manual coding, providing greater control without the steep learning curve.

This is one of the reasons WordPress has gained immense popularity. Although it may take longer to set up compared to standard website builders and may not offer the full customization of manual coding, WordPress provides a great balance between ease of use and flexibility.

WordPress enables you to create your site using user-friendly page builders like SeedProd or Thrive Architect. Additionally, many features that would require extensive coding are readily accessible through plugins in WordPress.

If you require specific custom functionality, you can easily add your own code by modifying the theme or plugin files directly.

If you’re not comfortable editing core files, you can utilize a plugin like WPCode, which allows you to safely and conveniently insert custom code snippets.

Unlike many website builders that restrict you to their hosting services, WordPress gives you the freedom to select your own web hosting provider. This flexibility allows you to closely monitor your website resources and switch hosting providers whenever necessary.

Website builders often require you to upgrade to a more expensive plan to access additional features, even if you don’t need all of them.

One drawback of WordPress is the absence of direct support. However, its extensive community of developers and users compensates for this limitation.

You can quickly find solutions to most issues through official documentation, community groups like CanadaCreate’s Facebook Group, or tutorials provided by CanadaCreate.

For more assistance, check out our guide on how to reach WordPress support.

Website Builder vs. Manual Coding: Common Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the choice between a website builder and manual coding.

What distinguishes a website builder from manual coding?

The primary distinction lies in the approach. Website builders provide a visual, drag-and-drop interface with ready-made templates, enabling you to create a website without any coding.

Manual coding involves constructing the website from scratch using programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. This method offers complete control but requires technical knowledge.

Which option is more cost-effective: a website builder or manually coding a website?

Website builders offer a cost-effective way to launch your site, typically requiring a monthly or annual subscription that covers hosting, security, and customer support.

While coding can save money in the long run by eliminating subscription fees, it demands a significant initial investment in learning or hiring a developer.

Which option is superior for SEO: a website builder or a custom-coded site?

Both website builders and custom-coded sites can excel in SEO. Custom-coded websites provide the flexibility for detailed performance enhancements that search engines prioritize.

However, leading website builders like WordPress are designed with SEO optimization in mind. When used with plugins like All in One SEO, they equip you with the necessary tools to achieve high rankings.

Do professional developers utilize website builders?

Absolutely, many professional developers prefer website builders, particularly WordPress, as it enables them to create high-quality websites for clients more efficiently than starting from scratch.

This blended strategy allows them to leverage pre-built components for faster development while still incorporating custom code for specialized features.

This article aims to provide insights into the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing website builders compared to manual coding for website creation. Additionally, explore our expert recommendations for the top WordPress theme builders and our detailed comparison of free versus premium WordPress themes.

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