Reading time: 6 minutes
Published: April 4th 2024
Chari Harper
6 Red Flags to Consider When Selecting a Website Builder for Web Designers in Australia
Choosing the right website builder can be a game-changer for any web agency.
It's not just about getting your projects off the ground; it's about delivering them efficiently, cost-effectively, and to the satisfaction of your clients. On the flip side, selecting an ill-fitting platform can lead to endless headaches, wasted resources, and, worst of all, unhappy clients. It's a high-stakes decision that goes beyond mere preference and into strategic necessity.
Admittedly, diving into the potential pitfalls and red flags associated with website builders isn't the most uplifting conversation. It can feel somewhat negative to focus on what could go wrong. Yet, in the complex and varied landscape of agency needs from small projects to vast, multi-site operations—caution is not just advisable; it's essential. The consequences of a poor choice can ripple through your business, damaging your bottom line and, perhaps more importantly, your reputation and relationships with clients.
Imagine if you could foresee these pitfalls, sidestep the common traps, and proceed confidently, knowing you're making an informed choice. That foresight is precisely what we aim to provide with this article. Consider it your beacon through the murky waters of website builders, directing you towards choices that are not just good but great for agency use.
So, let's cut to the chase and address the critical warning signs every agency should watch for when selecting a website builder. This isn't about scaremongering; it's about equipping you with the knowledge to make choices that will keep your projects running smoothly and your clients smiling.
Red Flag One: Complex Site Maintenance
The journey with your client doesn't end once their website goes live; that's merely the beginning. Site maintenance, an aspect often overshadowed by the allure of design and functionality in selecting a website builder, plays a pivotal role in the sustained success of your agency and your client's online presence. Especially when managing a portfolio of client websites, the ease or difficulty of maintaining these sites can drastically influence your efficiency and, ultimately, your bottom line.
Some common issues that need to be considered include:
Plugin Overload
A common scenario is grappling with many plugins, each requiring regular updates to ensure the site runs smoothly. Neglecting these can lead to functionality issues or, worse, website breakdowns.
Downtime Dilemmas
Site downtimes are not only a technical headache but also a potential crisis in client trust and satisfaction. Frequent downtimes can severely strain client relationships.
Security Vulnerabilities
The ever-present risk of security breaches requires constant vigilance and updates to safeguard against hacks, a non-negotiable aspect of maintaining a professional website.
Manual Content Updates
Certain website builders lack global content update features, compelling you to update the same information manually across numerous pages. This becomes particularly cumbersome for changes as simple as adjusting business hours.
Given its critical impact on agency operations and client satisfaction, the complexity of site maintenance is a red flag that deserves your foremost attention when selecting a website builder. This early consideration can save you from future operational nightmares and secure a smoother, more reliable service offering for your clients.
Red Flag Two: Lack of Integrated Hosting
When a website builder doesn't offer integrated hosting solutions, it introduces unnecessary hurdles for agencies. The need to find and manage separate hosting services adds layers of complexity and expense to your operations.
Hosting is crucial for ensuring a website's performance, reliability, and security. Without it being part of the website builder package, agencies must juggle additional vendor relationships, integrate disparate services, and deal with the logistical challenges of ensuring their clients' sites are fast, accessible, and secure.
Moreover, hosting services can significantly impact your bottom line due to their costs.
When you choose a fully hosted solution like WebWave, you're signing up for simplicity and peace of mind. WebWave isn't just about giving you the tools to build; it hosts your creations on its own servers. What's cooler is that your websites aren't just sitting in one place - they're mirrored across the globe using KeyCDN's content delivery network. This means that no matter where your website visitors are, they get speedy access thanks to GEO DNS, which automatically connects them to the nearest WebWave CDN server. Imagine having fast, secure hosting for your website around the clock.
This integrated approach takes a load off your shoulders. Your team can put their energy into crafting impactful websites and delivering great results for your clients. No more juggling different hosting services, no more dealing with separate accounts. With WebWave, you streamline your project management and eliminate the hassle and extra costs of external hosting. It's all about letting you do what you do best, without the extra stress.
Red Flag Three: Inadequate Client Management Features
Efficient management of multiple client projects is non-negotiable in agency work. A website builder that doubles as a client management system can significantly streamline your operations. Here's what that entails:
Customisable Access Levels
Controlling what your clients can do within the editor, from viewing site data to making edits.
Integrated Communication Tools: Facilitating direct feedback and revisions on the site, bypassing convoluted email threads.
Comprehensive Analytics
Offering insights directly within the platform to guide client decisions and underscore your agency's value.
White Label Capability
Allowing the platform to carry your branding, reinforcing your relationship with clients.
Provision of Website Hosting Services
The ability to host as well as design client websites not only generates recurring revenue but also provides you with future design opportunities when clients decide to refresh their business brand.
WebWave stands out by encompassing all these features within its client management toolkit, a rarity in the website builder landscape. The absence of such integrated client management functionalities signals a potentially significant drain on your resources, emphasising the importance of viewing your website builder not merely as a tool but as a vital partner in your business.
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Red Flag Four: No Advanced AI Capabilities
As we venture deeper into the AI era, the significance of AI in our digital tools cannot be overstated. Just a few years ago, this might not have been a critical concern, but today, the lack of advanced AI features in a website builder is a glaring oversight.
AI's influence in website building goes far beyond just churning out content. With WebWave's innovative AI features, you can craft a custom website in a mere three minutes. But that's not all - its AI writer is on hand to refine your text, ensuring your message is clear and engaging. Additionally, the AI-powered builder doesn't stop at structure; it also designs personalised colour palettes that resonate with your brand's aesthetic. WebWave harnesses AI to streamline the design process, making it quicker and more intuitive to bring your vision to life.
Ignoring a website builder without these advanced AI features means missing out on a crucial opportunity to leverage technology for efficiency, creativity, and competitiveness.
Red Flag Five: Poor Performance and Speed
The underlying performance and speed of a website builder have direct implications for the user experience on the sites you create for clients. It's well acknowledged in the industry that builders vary widely in their technical foundations and, consequently, in their performance metrics.
High-performance standards are paramount, as they impact not just the aesthetic quality of the sites but also their functionality, search engine ranking, and user satisfaction. While there are many optimisation strategies agencies can employ, the baseline speed and efficiency offered by the chosen website builder set the limits of what's possible.
Opting for a builder with a reputation for sluggishness or inefficiency can handicap your projects from the outset, underscoring the necessity of prioritising performance in your selection criteria.
Red Flag Six: Lack of Comprehensive Support
WebWave recognises the critical nature of support, providing an Australian-based team ready to assist through Live Chat, Phone and Email. This local availability is a significant advantage, offering timely and culturally relevant assistance. Moreover, WebWave's commitment to enhancing its support services, with plans to extend availability to 24/7, reflects an understanding of the global nature of digital business and the need for round-the-clock assistance.
However, not all website builders prioritise this level of support. A lack of available, responsive, and knowledgeable support is a significant red flag, signalling potential future frustrations. When evaluating website builders, consider the following aspects of their support services:
Availability
Support should be accessible when you need it, ideally 24/7, to accommodate the global market and different time zones.
Channels of Communication
Multiple avenues for support (e.g., Live Chat, email, phone) ensure you can reach out in the way that best suits your situation.
Expertise
The support team should be responsive and knowledgeable, capable of resolving complex issues efficiently.
Language and Localisation
Having support staff who understand your language and context can significantly streamline the resolution process.
Resource Library
Access to a comprehensive knowledge base, FAQs, and tutorials can empower you to solve some problems independently without waiting for assistance.
WebWave: Empowering Your Website Agency's Future and Long Term Success
It’s clear that the journey to selecting the perfect website builder for your agency is fraught with potential pitfalls, but armed with the right knowledge, these obstacles become navigable. From ensuring robust site maintenance capabilities to demanding comprehensive client management tools, and from insisting on integrated hosting solutions to leveraging the latest in AI technology, each red flag discussed is a stepping stone towards making an informed decision.
WebWave emerges as a standout option, addressing these concerns with its user-friendly platform, integrated hosting, and advanced AI features, making it an excellent choice for agencies focused on efficiency, performance, and client satisfaction. Remember, choosing a website builder isn’t just about the immediate benefits. It's about setting your agency up for long-term success and growth. So, take these insights, apply them to your selection process, and build a foundation that supports your agency's ambitions now and in the future.
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