Is it better to make your own website or use Shopify?
Here are pro's & con's to building your own site & using Shopify.
Is It Better to Create Your Own Website or Use Shopify?
When deciding to take your business online, one of the biggest questions is whether to create your own website from scratch or use an e-commerce platform like Shopify. Both options have their pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your business goals, technical skills, and budget. In this post, we’ll break down the advantages and drawbacks of each to help you decide which option is right for you.
Creating Your Own Website: Pros and Cons
Building your own website offers you complete control over the design, layout, and functionality, but it also comes with its own challenges.
Pros:
Full Customisation: When you create your own website, you can design it exactly how you want, from the layout and color scheme to the user experience and functionality. This is especially important if you want a unique online presence.
No Platform Restrictions: Unlike Shopify or other hosted platforms, you’re not limited by specific design templates or features. You have the flexibility to add any feature or plugin that suits your business needs.
Better Control Over SEO: Building your own website allows you to optimize it fully for SEO, which helps you rank higher in search engine results and attract more organic traffic.
Cons:
Technical Skills Required: Unless you have experience in web development or can hire a web designer, creating a good website can be challenging and time-consuming.
Time-Consuming: Designing a website from scratch can take weeks or even months, depending on the complexity of the site. This can delay the launch of your business.
Ongoing Maintenance: A custom-built website requires regular updates and maintenance, which can become time-consuming and costly in the long run.
Learning SEO: Unfortunately, getting your newly built website in front of your desired customers takes a lot of learning & understanding on how Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) works. If you don't take time to learn it thoroughly, you can make mistakes that will cost your business in the long term.
Shopify is a popular choice
Using Shopify: Pros and Cons
Shopify is one of the most popular e-commerce platforms available, and it offers a user-friendly way to set up and manage an online store.
Pros:
Quick Setup: Shopify provides pre-designed templates and an intuitive interface, allowing you to set up your store quickly with minimal technical knowledge.
E-commerce Focused: Shopify is designed specifically for e-commerce businesses, so it comes with built-in tools for inventory management, payment processing, and shipping.
24/7 Support: Shopify offers customer support to help you troubleshoot any issues, making it a great option for business owners without technical expertise.
Cons:
Limited Customisation: While Shopify provides a range of templates, your ability to customise the design and functionality is somewhat limited compared to building your own website.
Platform Fees: Shopify charges monthly fees, and transaction fees may apply depending on your payment processor. These costs can add up over time.
SEO Limitations: Although Shopify offers basic SEO tools, it’s not as flexible as a custom-built website when it comes to advanced SEO strategies.
Template costs: While there are free options available, these template choices can be limited in both functionality and appearance. While better designed and better optimised templates can be costly, sometimes in the hundreds of dollars/pounds.
Things are confusing, right?
Which Is Better for Your Business?
If you’re looking for complete control over your website and want to create something entirely unique, building your own website is the way to go. However, if your primary goal is to get an online store up and running quickly with minimal hassle, Shopify is an excellent option. Ultimately, the choice depends on your budget, technical skills, and how much customisation you need.
Sometimes the best option is both. Getting in touch with a web design service can ultimately be the best of both worlds. On one hand, you can get an affordable fully custom website that looks and feels compatible with your brand. On the other hand, you can save time & money letting a professional take care of the optimising & design, meaning you can focus on what matters most.
Most web design services can cost a lot of money. While this may be an investment in the long term, not all businesses have capital ready to burn, especially in the early stages.
That is where we come in.
Thats where we come in
The Divergent Network Advantage
At Divergent Network, we offer the best of both worlds. If you choose to create your own custom website, we can provide a fully customizsd and responsive design that includes up to 7 pages and plugins for just £149 deposit and £149 a month. This service is perfect for businesses that want a unique online presence and full control over their website’s design and functionality.
We offer:
Fully customised website designed and built by professionals
Free logo re-design with every website purchased
Integrated plugins & extensions
24/7 support
Free guides and advice on how to grow your businesses online presence
Affordable monthly costs to maintain your website
Our team also ensures that your website is SEO-optimised, so you can attract more organic traffic to grow your business. Contact Divergent Network today to get started on your professional, fully customised website!
