11/04/2024

Posted By: Corina Serdiuc

As a business owner, building a fully-featured website that's cost-effective, easy to update, and scalable as your business grows is crucial. Several options are available, from using WordPress with a consultant to working with a SaaS-based digital experience platform. In this blog, we'll explore four options, weighing their pros and cons to help you make the best decision for your business.

WordPress + Consultant

Pros:

• Customization: WordPress offers a vast range of plugins and themes, allowing you to customize the website to your needs.
• Open-source platform: Flexibility to add third-party integrations or custom development.

Cons:

• High Maintenance Costs: Every time you need to make changes or updates, you'll need to hire a consultant, which can become expensive.
• No Hosting Included: You'll need to find your own hosting, adding an extra cost and potential complexity.
• Challenging Plugin Management: Many plugins require manual updates and may conflict with each other, resulting in technical issues that often require a developer to resolve.
• UX Designer Required: Without in-house design talent, you'll need to hire a designer to ensure the site has a user-friendly interface and layout.

Best For: Businesses that want full control over their website but are prepared to invest heavily in maintenance and customization.

Website Builders (like Wix and SquareSpace)

Pros:

• Ease of Use: These platforms are beginner-friendly with drag-and-drop functionality, making it easy for non-technical users to set up a basic website.
• Low Initial Costs: Affordable pricing for simple websites with limited functionality.

Cons:

• Lacks Flexibility: You're limited in how much you can customize the site's structure and design. This could hinder your ability to scale as your business grows.
• Integration Challenges: Integrating third-party tools, CRM systems, or custom functionalities takes time and effort.
• Hosting Limitations: You don't get to choose your hosting provider, meaning you're locked into their hosting services, which may not meet your business needs.
• Limited Design and UX Options: While templates are available, they offer limited design flexibility and customization options, which may affect the user experience.

Best For: Small businesses or startups that need an essential online presence and don't expect to scale or need custom features in the near future.

Web Design Firm

Pros:

• Professional Design: You get a high-quality, custom design that reflects your brand's personality.
• Hands-Off Setup: The firm handles all the initial design and development, so you don't need to worry about the technical details.

Cons:

• No Email Hosting: You'll need to arrange for email hosting separately, adding complexity and cost.
• No Backend Integration: Most web design firms won't provide back-end integration, meaning you'll miss out on connecting key systems like CRM, order management, or accounting.
• Not an End-to-End Solution: After the initial build, you'll need to manage ongoing maintenance and updates yourself, or hire the firm again.
• Ongoing Support Costs: Any future changes, updates, or fixes will require you to hire the firm for support, which can become expensive over time.

Best For: Businesses seeking a high-end, custom-designed website but willing to manage or outsource ongoing updates and support.

SaaS-Based Digital Experience Platform

Pros:

• Robust Platform with Ongoing Updates: A SaaS-based platform like Dreaming Code continuously updates your website with the latest features, security patches, and optimizations without extra cost or effort on your part.
• Third-Party App Integration: Seamlessly integrate backend systems like CRM, accounting, and order management for streamlined operations.
• Hosting and Security Included: Hosting and security are part of the package, removing the need for third-party services and ensuring top-tier performance and protection.
• E-commerce Ready: Built-in e-commerce capabilities allow for easy scaling and management of online stores.
• Access to Designers and Developers: Get professional help from in-house designers and developers for custom features or design tweaks.
• Back-End Integration: Fully integrates with your back-end systems, including CRMs and ERP tools, for efficient operations.
• 24/7 Support: A dedicated support team is available around the clock to handle any issues or updates, reducing downtime and keeping your website running smoothly.

Cons:

• Upfront Cost: It may have a higher initial cost compared to DIY solutions, but it's a cost-effective long-term solution with lower maintenance expenses.

Best For: Businesses looking for a flexible, scalable, and low-maintenance solution that includes everything—hosting, security, support, and integration—all in one platform.

Dreaming Code is an ideal solution for many businesses, including medical and dental practices, manufacturing companies, and salons, where maintaining a professional, user-friendly online presence is essential. Dreaming Code's robust platform benefits these industries with support scheduling, e-commerce, and back-end integrations.

Additionally, service-based retail businesses, such as spas, fitness centers, and consulting firms, can leverage Dreaming Code's capabilities to streamline operations, enhance customer engagement, and scale effortlessly as they grow.

Businesses like law firms, real estate agencies, and professional services can also benefit from Dreaming Code's all-in-one solution, ensuring a seamless digital experience with minimal maintenance.

Conclusion

When it comes to building a fully-featured, scalable, and cost-effective website, Dreaming Code's SaaS-based digital experience platform stands out as the best option. With ongoing updates, seamless third-party app integrations, and 24/7 support, Dreaming Code offers the lowest cost of total ownership, ensuring your website remains up-to-date and requires zero maintenance from your side. It provides the flexibility to grow with your business, making it the ultimate long-term solution for serious businesses.

Dreaming Code is a partner who can drive your digital success. We provide an industry-leading platform to enable agile and flexible digital experiences. We have solutions tailored to your needs if you seek advice on driving website traffic and user experience. Our solution consultants are eager to support you in planning, building, and scaling your digital transformation. Schedule to meet us today!