Professional Website Developer or Con Artist? Why New Zealand Business Owners Must Be Cautious

Introduction

New Zealand business owners are often falling victim to an ongoing website development scam! Thinking about hiring a professional to build your new website? Before you make a decision, there are a few things you need to watch out for. Almost all so-called professional web developers in New Zealand are now using website builders. They can whip up a decent-looking site in minutes and then charge you as if they've hand-coded every line from scratch. So, before you make that hire, let's talk about what to look for to ensure you're getting the real deal—and avoiding the pitfalls of drag-and-drop builders.

When I first got into the web development space, I was shocked to see how many "professionals" were charging top dollar for what's essentially a cut-and-paste job. These sites might look polished on the surface, but under the hood, they're filled with errors and inefficient code that drags down your site's performance. It's a practice that's become all too common in New Zealand. Let's talk about why website builders are bad and why you should insist on a custom-coded website built from scratch.

1. Performance: Slow and Clunky

Website builders might get you a site quickly, but they often come with a hefty price in terms of performance.

Bloated Code: Drag-and-drop builders generate a lot of unnecessary code, which can significantly slow down your site. This not only impacts user experience but can also affect your SEO rankings.
Slow Loading Times: Sites built with these tools can be sluggish, especially as they grow. Fast-loading sites are crucial for keeping visitors engaged and reducing bounce rates.

Here's the kicker—most of those so-called professional web developers charge the same amount as website developers who develop custom-coded. Why? Because they're betting on the fact that their clients don't understand the ins and outs of the web development space. It is a straight up scam.

2. Security: One-Size-Fits-All Won't Cut It

Security is often an afterthought with website builders.

Generic Security Measures: These platforms offer basic, one-size-fits-all security, which may not be sufficient to protect your site from more sophisticated threats.
Custom Security: A custom-coded website can include tailored security features to address specific vulnerabilities, providing much stronger protection for your data and your users.

3. Functionality: Limited and Restrictive

When it comes to functionality, website builders can leave you high and dry.

Limited Customization: You're stuck with the features and limitations of the platform. Want something unique? Good luck with that.
Scalability Issues: As your business grows, website builders can become a bottleneck, making it difficult to add new features or scale your site effectively.

4. Design: Template Trouble

Now, let's talk about the look of your site.

Cookie-Cutter Templates: With website builders, you're essentially choosing from a menu of templates that thousands of other businesses use. Want to stand out? Good luck with that.
Design Consistency: Custom coding allows for a design that is truly unique to your brand, ensuring your website isn't just another face in the crowd.

5. The Value of Custom-Coded Websites

Choosing a custom-coded website means investing in a solution that's crafted specifically for your needs.

Tailored Design: A custom-built website ensures that your design is as unique as your business, standing out from the crowd and aligning perfectly with your brand.
Optimized SEO: Custom-coded websites can be optimized from the ground up for search engines, helping you achieve better rankings and increased visibility.
Future-Proofing: A website designed with your specific needs in mind is better equipped to grow with your business, adapting to new requirements and technologies.

Conclusion

So, there you have it. While website builders might seem like a quick fix, they're more like a Band-Aid on a broken bone. If you want a website that truly represents your brand and can grow with your business, insist on a custom-coded solution. Skip the shortcuts and build something awesome—right here in New Zealand.