Website builders make it easier than ever to create a professional-looking website. However, many businesses still run into problems — not because of the builder itself, but because of common mistakes made during setup and planning.
This article highlights the most frequent website builder mistakes and explains how to avoid them before they limit your site’s performance or growth.
Choosing a Builder Before Defining Your Needs
One of the biggest mistakes is choosing a website builder too quickly. Many people select a platform based on popularity or price without thinking about what their website actually needs to do.
Before choosing a builder, you should clearly understand:
- The purpose of your website
- Whether you need bookings, payments, or forms
- How often the site will be updated
Starting with a clear goal prevents costly rebuilds later.
Relying Too Heavily on Templates
Templates are helpful, but relying on them without customisation can make your website look generic. Many businesses end up with sites that look almost identical to competitors using the same builder.
To avoid this:
- Adjust colours and fonts to match your brand
- Change layouts instead of keeping defaults
- Replace placeholder text with meaningful content
A builder should support flexibility, not limit it.
Ignoring Mobile Layouts
Many users design their website on a desktop and forget to check how it looks on mobile devices. This often results in oversized text, awkward spacing, or hard-to-use navigation.
Always:
- Preview the site on mobile and tablet views
- Adjust spacing for smaller screens
- Keep buttons and menus easy to tap
Mobile usability directly affects visitor experience and engagement.
Overloading Pages With Too Much Content
Another common mistake is trying to fit everything onto one page. Long blocks of text, too many images, and multiple calls to action can overwhelm visitors.
A better approach is to:
- Keep pages focused on one main goal
- Break content into smaller sections
- Create separate pages where necessary
Clear structure improves readability and navigation.
Neglecting SEO Basics
Many website builders include SEO tools, but they only help if they are used correctly. Ignoring basic SEO settings can make your site difficult to find online.
Common SEO oversights include:
- Missing page titles and descriptions
- Using unclear page URLs
- Uploading images without alt text
Even simple SEO adjustments can significantly improve visibility.
Not Planning for Growth
Some builders work well for small websites but struggle when more features are needed. Choosing a platform that cannot scale often leads to limitations later.
Think ahead and ask:
- Will I need more pages or features later?
- Can this builder support blogging or ecommerce?
- Does it integrate with other tools?
Planning for growth avoids future migration headaches.
Overlooking Hosting and Performance
Performance issues are often blamed on the builder, when in reality they are caused by poor hosting or heavy design choices.
Make sure your setup includes:
- Reliable hosting
- Fast page loading times
- Secure infrastructure
A well-optimised website builder should load quickly and reliably.
Skipping Proper Testing Before Launch
Launching a website without testing is a risky move. Broken links, missing pages, or non-working forms can damage credibility immediately.
Before going live, always test:
- Contact forms
- Navigation menus
- Links and buttons
- Mobile layouts
Making Smarter Builder Decisions
Most website builder problems are avoidable with proper planning and realistic expectations.
If you want a clearer overview of which builders suit different website types, this Website Builders Guide for South Africa explains the options and helps you choose correctly from the start.
A well-chosen builder, used correctly, saves time and delivers better long-term results.
Website Builder vs Web Designer: Which Is Better for Your Business?
When you are ready to get your business online, you quickly face one big question: Should I use a website builder, or should I hire a web designer? Both options can work. The best choice depends on your budget, time, skills, and how complex your website needs to be.
In our first article, Why Choosing the Right Website Builder Matters for Your Business, we looked at why the tool you pick is so important. In this article, we go one step back and help you decide whether a website builder or a web designer is the right starting point.
If you want a quick overview of our recommended tools, you can also visit our main guide: Website Builders for South Africa.
What Is a Website Builder?
A website builder is an online tool that lets you build a website yourself using a visual editor. You normally choose a template, drag and drop sections, edit text and images, and publish when you are ready. You do not need to know how to code.
Most website builders include:
- Ready-made templates for different types of businesses.
- Simple tools to add text, images, galleries, and contact forms.
- Basic SEO settings like page titles and descriptions.
- Hosting and SSL built into the package.
This “all-in-one” approach is why many small businesses in South Africa choose a website builder as their first step online.
What Does a Web Designer or Developer Do?
A web designer or web developer is a person or agency that builds a site for you. They may use a content management system like WordPress, or they may design and code the site from scratch.
A professional can:
- Create a custom design that matches your brand exactly.
- Build special features, like bookings, memberships, or custom forms.
- Optimise performance, speed, and user experience.
- Help with ongoing changes, updates, and support.
This route usually gives you more flexibility, but it also takes more time and costs more than using a website builder on your own.
Website Builder: Pros and Cons
Benefits of Using a Website Builder
- Lower cost: You normally pay a small monthly or yearly fee instead of a big once-off project fee.
- Fast to launch: You can publish a simple site in a day or two once you have your text and images ready.
- No coding skills needed: The editor is visual and beginner-friendly.
- Easy to change: You can log in any time and update text, photos, or prices yourself.
- Built-in tools: Things like SSL, basic SEO settings, and mobile-friendly layouts are usually included.
Limitations of Website Builders
- Less flexibility: You work within templates and blocks. Very unusual layouts or special functions might not be possible.
- Feature limits: Some advanced features may need an upgrade or may not be supported at all.
- Can look “template-like”: If you do not customise colours, fonts, and images, your site can look similar to others using the same builder.
Web Designer: Pros and Cons
Benefits of Hiring a Web Designer
- Custom design: Your site can be built around your brand, content, and goals from the ground up.
- Advanced functionality: Good for complex sites like booking systems, online courses, or member areas.
- Expert guidance: A designer can advise you on layout, user journey, and content structure.
- Less DIY pressure: You do not have to learn a new tool. You provide the content, and the designer builds the site.
Drawbacks of Hiring a Web Designer
- Higher upfront cost: A custom build is usually more expensive than a DIY website builder subscription.
- Longer timelines: There is planning, design, feedback, and development. It can take weeks or months.
- Ongoing changes may cost extra: Small updates might need a support agreement or hourly billing.
How to Decide Which Option Is Right for You
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Instead, ask yourself a few simple questions.
1. What Is My Budget?
If you are just starting out, cash flow is often tight. A website builder gives you a professional-looking site for a lower monthly cost. A custom site is an investment, but it might make sense if your website is central to how you earn money, like an online booking system or large e-commerce shop.
2. How Quickly Do I Need to Go Live?
If you want something online this week, a website builder is the fastest route. If you have time to plan a full project, a web designer might be the better long-term choice.
3. How Complex Are My Requirements?
Simple brochure websites, basic portfolios, or small business sites usually work very well on a website builder. If you need custom logic, complex integrations, or very unique design, you will quickly run into the limits of most builders and may be better off with a professional build.
4. Do I Want to Edit the Site Myself?
Many business owners like the control of logging in and making quick changes. Website builders are designed for this. Some custom WordPress sites also make editing easy, but it depends how the site is set up. If DIY control matters a lot, keep that in mind when you choose.
A Simple Hybrid Approach
One option many South African businesses choose is a hybrid approach:
- Start with a website builder to get online quickly and affordably.
- Later, when your business grows, move to a custom-designed site with more advanced features.
At IDS Hosting, our aim is to make that first step as simple as possible. Our Website Builders for South Africa page explains the tools we support and how they fit into a long-term growth plan.
How IDS Hosting Fits Into Your Decision
Whether you choose a website builder or a web designer, your site still needs fast, reliable hosting and solid support. That is where we focus. We provide:
- Hosting that works smoothly with leading website builders.
- Guidance on picking the right builder for your needs.
- Support when you are ready to upgrade to something more advanced.
If you are unsure where to start, read our first article, Why Choosing the Right Website Builder Matters for Your Business, and then compare your options on Website Builders for South Africa. These two resources, together with this article, will help you decide the best path for your business.
In our next articles, we will cover topics like the essential features to look for in a website builder and the common mistakes to avoid when building your own site, so you can move forward with confidence and a clear plan.
Website Builder Guide: Choose the Best Website Builder for Your South African Business
If you run a small business in South Africa, you already know a simple truth: you need a website that looks professional, loads fast and is easy to update. The challenge is choosing the right website builder without wasting weeks testing every platform under the sun.
This guide walks you through the key things to look at when choosing a website builder, with a focus on South African businesses – our connectivity, our customers and our local support needs. If you want a quick overview of the main options available, you can also visit our detailed comparison page: website builders for South Africa .
What Exactly Is a Website Builder?
A website builder is a tool that lets you create a website without needing to write code. Most of them work in a “drag-and-drop” way – you choose a layout, drag in images, text, buttons and forms, and then publish your site when you are happy.
In simple terms, a website builder should help you:
- Get online quickly without waiting for a developer.
- Edit your own content – change text, images and prices yourself.
- Keep things tidy and modern with pre-designed templates.
- Handle the technical bits like mobile-friendly layouts and basic SEO behind the scenes.
Why Your Choice of Website Builder Matters
Picking the wrong website builder can cost you time, money and customers. You might end up with:
- A site that looks bad on mobile, so visitors leave quickly.
- Slow loading pages that frustrate people on slower connections.
- Complicated editors that you never feel comfortable using.
- Hidden extra costs for features you thought were included from the start.
The right platform, on the other hand, should support your business for years: easy to update, fast to load, and flexible enough to grow with you.
Key Things to Consider Before You Decide
Before you sign up for anything, take a few minutes to think about what you actually need. Here are the most important questions to ask.
1. What Type of Website Are You Building?
Your needs will shape the best website builder for you. For example:
- Basic business site – You mostly need pages like Home, About, Services and Contact.
- Online store – You need product pages, a shopping cart and secure payment options.
- Booking or appointment site – You need a calendar, booking form and confirmations.
- Portfolio or gallery – You need neat ways to show images, projects or case studies.
Be honest about what you need now, but also think about where you want to be in 12–24 months. It’s easier to start on a platform that can grow with you than to rebuild everything later.
2. How Comfortable Are You With Technology?
Some website builders are extremely simple and almost impossible to break. Others are powerful, but need a bit more patience. Ask yourself:
- Do you want something as simple as possible, even if it’s less flexible?
- Are you happy to watch a few short tutorials if it means more control?
- Do you want someone else to set up the basics so you only maintain text and images?
There is no right or wrong answer – the “best” website builder is the one you will actually use.
3. Is the Website Builder Optimised for South African Visitors?
This is where many international platforms fall short for local businesses. For South Africa, you want:
- Fast local hosting – the closer your server is to your visitors, the better.
- Good performance on mobile – many visitors browse on prepaid data and slower networks.
- Local payment options if you sell online – for example, support for South African gateways.
- Local support in our time zone, from people who understand our environment.
This is one of the reasons we created our own website builders for South Africa overview – to highlight options that make sense for local businesses, not just global trends.
4. What Are the Real Costs – Now and Later?
Price pages can be confusing. When comparing website builders, pay attention to:
- Monthly or yearly subscription fees – sometimes billed in foreign currency.
- Domain costs – is your
.co.za included or separate?
- Email hosting – does the website builder include email, or do you need proper email hosting elsewhere?
- Add-on costs – extra charges for online store features, backups, security or extra pages.
A slightly higher monthly fee can still be cheaper in the long run if it includes the features you need and solid support when things go wrong.
Must-Have Features in a Modern Website Builder
Whichever platform you choose, make sure it covers these basics at a minimum:
- Mobile-friendly design – your site should look good on phones and tablets, not only on big screens.
- Easy editing – you should be able to change text and images without breaking the layout.
- Built-in SEO tools – page titles, descriptions and basic on-page SEO options.
- Contact forms – so people can reach you without copying your email address.
- Reliable hosting and backups – so your site stays online and can be restored if needed.
If you are planning to sell online, add these to the list:
- Secure checkout – an SSL certificate and trusted payment gateways.
- Stock management – so you don’t oversell items you don’t have.
- Order notifications – so you know immediately when a customer checks out.
Website Builder vs. Traditional Web Designer
A question that comes up a lot is whether you should use a website builder at all, or pay a designer or developer to build a custom site from scratch.
A website builder is usually the better choice if:
- You need to get online quickly.
- Your budget is limited.
- You are happy with a template-based design that still looks professional.
A custom-built site may be better if:
- You have very specific functionality that builders cannot easily handle.
- You want a completely unique design and brand experience.
- You have the budget to pay for ongoing maintenance or a support retainer.
Many South African businesses start on a website builder, get comfortable with running a website, and only later move to a fully custom setup when the business needs it.
How IDS Hosting Can Help You Decide
If you feel a bit overwhelmed by the choice of platforms, you are not alone. That is exactly why we created our website builders for South Africa guide .
We look at:
- Which builders make sense for South African small businesses.
- What works best for service-based businesses versus online shops.
- How hosting, email and DNS fit together in a clean, stable setup.
If you are unsure which option to pick, you don’t have to guess. Share a quick summary of your business, your budget and what you want the website to do, and we can point you towards the most suitable website builder and hosting combination.
Next Steps
To wrap up, here’s a simple action list:
- Decide what type of site you need – basic info, online store, bookings, or portfolio.
- Be honest about how “techy” you are and how much time you can spend learning a new tool.
- Check that the platform works well for South African visitors, especially on mobile.
- Compare real costs – hosting, domain, email and any paid add-ons.
- Shortlist one or two options and then ask for guidance if you are still unsure.
When you’re ready, visit our website builders for South Africa page for a clearer comparison, or contact us for help choosing the right platform for your next website.
