I saw these online ads for these really cool “Drag and Drop” website builders! I think the name was PageCloud or CloudPage, or WebPageCloud, or CloudPageWeb, or PageWebCloud, or something like that. The ad had some really nifty looking nerdy-type guy who was building websites in seconds using an iPad. It seemed so easy, I don’t see why everyone doesn’t use these platforms instead of hiring web designers!
Websites that offer “website builders” sound like a great alternative, right?
Wrong. Think again.
Online ‘website builders’ can actually destroy your business in a multitude of ways that you probably won’t even realize, until a real web developer or SEO expert takes a look at your site. Some effects of these sites can be reversible, and some of them can be permanent. Yes, you heard me.
These ‘website builder’ companies are selling you the ability to use a software that manipulates pre-made code. So in essence, they created one website that can be used as a template that can be manipulated by “drag and drop”, they offer you a free design, and then charge you a very small monthly fee to keep it running. From that point, they just sit back and wait for all of the unknowing critters to step into their trap. A trap that usually destroys multiple facets of their website permanently.
But, how exactly do these ‘drag and drop’ website builders destroy my online business? Here’s how:
7.Their Websites are Very Slow
It is 2016, people don’t have patience, especially for a slow website. If your website is slow, you’re going to go down the drain with your customers and with your search rankings. Many of these “website builders” use horrible servers, or they are farming their hosting out to another company. To save costs, these companies decide not to upgrade their hosting. Why is that? Because they know if someone was serious about website performance, they wouldn’t be using a “drag and drop” website builder.
6.Say “Bye Bye” to Search Engine Rankings!
Are you trying to get your website ranked in the search engines? Well, of course you are! Who isn’t? If you’re planning on using a “drag and drop” website software, be prepared to flush your search engine rankings right down the toilet and to the poo factory. These websites are designed for one purpose, to be able to be duplicated and easily changed by a user (you). This is their function, everything else comes next. They don’t optimize for SEO, they don’t optimize for speed, they don’t have the best mobile compatibility, they aren’t keen to updates, they don’t use schema, and the worst part….they are essentially tricking you into a site that will be of no use to you! You will not be found on search engines, you will not grow your business through organic search results, and if you sell products online….you’re about to get smacked upside the head with a dose of reality once you see your sales figures.
5.You’re Using the Same Template as Thousands of People
Do you really want to represent the brand you’ve put so much hard work, money, sweat, and blood into with the same website as 800,000 other people? I don’t think so. The reason 50% of new business fail is because of the lack of differentiation with the market. I don’t think representing your brand to the world using the same website design as 800,000 other people is a great first step. You can’t have the same exact image as everyone else, and wonder why your business is flopping around on the pier like a fish out of water. Be different. Be unique. Be YOU.
4.Your Domain Name Could Be Permanently Damaged!
Remember the part I mentioned about the bad SEO that is involved with using these website builders? As I’m about to inform you, SEO is no laughing matter. How you work your SEO is the difference between life and death to a business. What people don’t realize is that bad SEO practices can not just destroy your search engine rankings, but can get you blacklisted from search results altogether! This means that your domain name is now useless. There is no webdesigner, SEO expert, or amount of money in the world that is going to be able to get your domain name ranking again. So that cool new domain name you came up and spent all of this time on is going to have to be tossed in the garbage for good. Pray to god that once you do toss it, that some unfortunate soul doesn’t buy it down the road. :/
3.Having An Issue With Your Website? LOL!
Are you having an issue with your website and need support? Advice? Guidance? Well that’s just too damn bad! You can use our customer service help menu, that basically only tells you how to use the site, but that’s about all we have to help you. Why don’t these people offer great support? Because it only took a handful of developers to create this one website template that is used by thousands! They don’t need web developers…they need sales people! Chances are that if you do get someone on the line, they will likely try to sell you their higher-level service as a way to “solve your problems”. This is a sales tactic, this is not customer support. So if you’re looking for support, make sure you LOL, because the team of developers who built this platform are definitely LOLing from their high-rise vacation penthouses in Bora Bora.
2.Do You Need Custom Features? LMFAO!
Do you need custom features on your website, for example: a custom photo gallery, or a form to automatically schedule appointments? Well you’d better start laughing because I am! These systems aren’t designed for custom features, they are designed for standard features. You are now a part of a massive community of “model homes”, in which everyone home is the same inside and out. Welcome to the jungle baby.
1.High Traffic = Crashed Website
Let’s say you get a moderately high boost in traffic because maybe someone with some push shared your page on their social media profile. Well, after enough consistent views, your website goes down. Why is that? Because these systems are designed without your best interests in mind, they are designed as cheap alternatives. They don’t have the hosting power to handle high volumes of traffic, and in turn, they shut your site down because of the overflow of traffic. So now you have 10,000 people trying to view your website, but the website is going…it’s just a white screen because your host shut you down for traffic overages. Great marketing, brother! LMAO!
All in all… if you’re just looking for a cheap alternative to a real website, then these are fine. However, you have to understand that as a business you are endangering your online potential by using these automated web design softwares. To compare a developed website to an automated website is comparing a scooter to a Lexus. The comparison is beyond night and day. Be very careful when contemplating your decisions, as many of these damages are permanent. If you’re looking to go the cheap route because you don’t care about your online presence, then use these alternatives! If you’re looking for an amazing design that is built for performance and growth, then hire a website designer.
