It can be overwhelming to tackle maintenance and technical problems on your own. And free websites provide minimal, if any, customer support. But when you hire a web developer to build your site, technical support is usually included – so you can talk to a real person who can help you immediately.
2. You Don’t Own It
Another major reason to stay away from free website builders like Wix, GoDaddy, and Squarespace is because the website is owned by them, not you. You lose ownership of all your content if you choose to leave, and you’ll have to start again at ground zero.
3. Lack of Customer Support
Sometimes you need to talk to a real, live person! Most “free” website builder companies only provide email support. But what happens when you need immediate assistance? If you manage to get someone on the phone using their support systems, it will be an overseas office that cannot provide immediate help.
4. Not Really “Free”
Most “free” websites aren’t free at all. Companies hook chinese overseas america database customers by initially offering their service for free. But once your site is up and running, they begin charging you to continue service. Or you’ll need to upgrade your account and need to pay for a new tool, more storage, an app integrator, and on and on. What started as a “free” website ends up costing you more than if you’d hired a professional web designer in the first place.
5. Lack of Customization
DIY web builders and free website templates can’t be breaking a topic into several smaller subtopics customized, and they’re not interactive. Limited templates, tools, fonts, and a lack of custom code produce unoriginal and bland websites. Most people can identify free websites – and it’s usually not a great first impression of your company.
If you want to make a positive impression on potential customers – invest in a quality website. The CEO of Impact Group Marketing, Kevin Crenshaw, explains, “A professional developer can go all the way to the code level to ensure that your website is the best representation of your high-quality brand. When building a free website, you might not have access to all of the features and formatting that make your website look and function the way you want it to.”
6. Not Mobile-Friendly
Now that most people use their phones to browse the web, it’s essential for your website to be mobile-friendly. Most free website builders are not mobile-friendly, so you’re at risk of losing potential customers. Websites that aren’t mobile-friendly are also demoted in Google search results.
7. Lack of Security
Your website will be on a shared server with hundreds of other sites. A shared server not only makes your website load slowly, but it also leads to security issues. If one of the sites on your server gets hacked, all other sites can also be easily hacked. Security isn’t a top priority for most free website providers.
8. Poor Analytics
It’s crucial to analyze data on your website visitors to grow your business. DIY site builders usually use older scripting technologies that have inaccurate or nonexistent site analytics. Site analytics measure your website’s traffic and performance so you can see how well your site is performing.
Most free website builders are unable to collect this data. And if they can, they certainly won’t analyze the data like a professional website developer will.
9. Unwanted Advertisements
Your “free” website is hosted by a company that is doing so to make money. One way they do this is by placing unwanted advertising banners on your site. You have no control chine directory over the ads they run – and you could even end up advertising for your competitors. These ads also make your website (and your business) look unprofessional and cheap. Using a free website could make potential customers wonder why you aren’t willing to invest in your company – and they may even doubt your credibility.
10. Experience
A professional website developer like Impact Group Marketing has a vested interest in the success of your business. When your business grows – we grow! The key to business success is long-term mutually beneficial relationships.
Our digital team has over 20 years of combined experience in website development, mobile application development, custom software development, and social media management, so we are ready to help you with all your online marketing needs. You won’t receive the kind of caring support we provide from a free website builder.
