Website Builder vs. WordPress: What’s the Difference?

Even if you don’t know exactly what WordPress is, you’ve definitely heard of it.

Now, maybe you’ve not come across many website builders but just from the name ‘website builder’, you already know exactly what one is.

In a nutshell, that’s the difference: A website builder assists you in the creation process to build a website while WordPress is a little more complex because it’s actually a Content Management System.

Let’s dig a little deeper, shall we?

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What is a website builder?

Website builders come in all shapes and sizes but they all exist for one reason, you guessed it, building websites.

You’ve got the drag-and-drop HTML5 website builder (the most intuitive kind), free form website builders (a little trickier), and eCommerce specific website building platforms.

All website builders will let you build a basic website in minutes, most website builders will offer eCommerce functionality with an eCommerce plan.

But, there’s one other website builder that offers all of the above, plus free web hosting, and a free domain.

Zyro is a drag and drop website builder, a powerful online store solution, a blogging platform, and the best way to build a website with no coding or technical skills needed.

The drag-and-drop interface is probably the epitome of the appeal of the website builder. A drag and drop interface essentially flattens the learning curve when it comes to site builders. 

Just one click and everything is in it’s right place. 

So, that’s website builders, but what about WordPress?

What is WordPress?

You can make a WordPress website, so WordPress must be a website builder too, right?

Well, not quite.

WordPress is a Content Management System (CMS). According to the most recent statistics, 40% of all websites are WordPress websites.

Going back to that phrase ‘CMS’ for a moment, CMSs are useful because they are incredibly versatile.  

If you can beat the learning curve, you can build almost any kind of website on WordPress and make it look exactly how you want. 

When it comes to hosting you’ve got two options on WordPress. WordPress.com (WordPress is the free web host) and WordPress.org (open-source and self hosted WordPress) where you need your own hosting and domain name. 

You’re also going to need a tight grip on that learning curve because despite the huge community of dedicated WordPress pros, you’re going to be on your own.

With all that said and done, let’s look at which one is right for you.

WordPress site vs website builders

Comparing WordPress vs website builders could fill a book.

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But, this is a blog, so we’re going to focus on four key points that we know every user actually cares about.

Flexibility

Here’s the bottom line:

WordPress is open source, let’s you do your own code, has a vast library of WordPress plugins and themes made by both WordPress themselves and others that come from a third party service.

The options aren’t literally endless, but the permutations, the possibilities, absolutely are.

Website builders offer a different service. They streamline the options to help you get online with a modern, stylish website and take away the problem of you worrying about every single possible option.

Less, flexible. More impactful.

Now, going back to the immense world of WordPress plugins and themes, unless you’re an experienced user that infinite sea of customization options may as well be a blank page. 

Because how do you know where to start?

We like to think of it as the Netflix effect, there’s so much on offer that you find yourself forever scrolling and scrolling and never making your mind up until hours later you pick the first option that you saw at the top of the page, just like everyone else.

With website builders, it’s clear from the get go. You’ve got what you want, and you’ve got what you need, and you’ve got the flexibility to adapt those elements the way you want them, nothing more, nothing less.

Remember, flexibility isn’t the possibility to make changes but the ability to make changes, and with a website builder, it couldn’t be easier.

SEO

While there are many WordPress plugins developed to help with SEO. The process of optimizing your WordPress site for SEO is a little different to with a site builder.

On WordPress, you’re going to need to know the difference between an SEO-friendly theme and one that’s not. With tens of thousands of themes available, that’s not something you should underestimate.

Then, you’re going to need to check the visibility settings of your site, optimize all your images, enable SEO friendly permalinks and get your site verified on Google Search Console and submit your XML sitemap.

Got it?

With a website builder, the SEO tools are built into the product, and with Zyro, every single template is already optimized for SEO. 

Your website is indexed on Google in one click, and that XML sitemap? With Zyro, you don’t need to worry about implementing a sitemap.

It’s done for you by default.

Ease of Use

By now, you should be seeing a trend, it’s easier to use a site builder, especially one with a simple drag and drop editor like Zyro, than it is to really make the most out of WordPress.

Check out this tutorial on how to make a Zyro blog in just five minutes.

While WordPress is the undisputed king of the blogs, it is more difficult to set up and if you want to be successful you will most likely have to pay a good amount of money for premium themes, premium blogging plugins and more.

Once you get to grips with WordPress, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem if you want to operate a simple website (like a blog) but as soon as you want to scale, things get more complex.

Want to try eCommerce? Do it in a click.  With WordPress, you’re going to need to install and configure a whole lot of premium plugins before you go anywhere.

Speed

While most of the comparisons above come down to personal needs and preferences, speed is a clear win for the website builder.

With website builders it is not just that you can literally create a working website in a single day, it is that these websites load faster too.

Page load speed is a huge concern for anyone that is serious about their website’s success. 

If your site doesn’t load in under 2 seconds, your visitors will bounce. It’s a fact. 

While WordPress sites can be fast, all those plugins and themes that looked so attractive before and helped with your SEO could be the exact things that are weighing down your site and driving visitors away.

A good website should be lightweight and feature-rich, and that’s something that only web developers know how to do. 

Sure, they know how to do it on a WordPress website, but with a website builder, every single site has been “made” by developers to be optimized for speed. 

You just assemble it to look the way you like it.

We also know now that page load speed plays a big role in SEO, so if you want your page to rank, it might be worth considering a website builder.

WordPress vs Website Builder Which Is Best for You?

If you’ve read through the above information and you’re still not sure which option is best for you, let’s break it down once and for all.

Website builder

• Create a fast website, fast.
• No hidden fees or added extras.
• Simple eCommerce integration.
• No learning curve and perfect for beginners and experienced users.
• Free web hosting and free domain.
• SEO optimized out of the box.
• Customer support.

WordPress

• Flexible, free, and open-source.
• Own hosting and domain name needed.
• Massive library of plugins and themes.
• More powerful eCommerce capabilities come at a premium price.
• Requires technical knowledge or outside help
• Customer support only with annual Premium, Business, or eCommerce plans.

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