Resources

There are so many different options out there for websites, picking which one will work best for you may seem like an incredibly daunting task. Luckily for you, we have broken down the pros and cons of both, to help you determine the best path for you and your organization.

Keep in mind, these lists might not have all the answers you're looking for - here at 42 milligrams, we're happy to discuss your specific needs to help you succeed in your website goals.

Fully Custom Websites

• Functionality tailored specifically to you and your business.
• Created with your customers’ needs in mind, which will deliver an excellent user experience.
• Designed exclusively for your brand, it will look and feel like an extension of all your other client-facing assets.
• Literally any modification imaginable (design or functional) can be made.
• You dream it, and it can happen with a fully custom site.

• Any updates and/or maintenance will likely need to be made through your developer.
• Higher up-front cost.

CMS-Based Sites

• Plugins allow for specific services, which can be chosen based on how you need your website to function and increase user experience.
• Designed exclusively for your brand, it will look and feel like an extension of all your other client-facing assets.
• Traditional features, such as forms, maps and blogs are easily integrated.
• Significant design flexibility.
• Quick turnaround time. Basic WordPress sites can be built quickly, however as more functionality is built in through plugins, the turnaround time may be extended.
• Plugins allow for great Search Engine Optimization.
• Easily add blog posts or other dynamic content yourself.

• Need to purchase domain, domain email, email marketing through a separate service.
• Depending on plugins needed, costs and website speed could shift rapidly.
• If you're not comfortable with making updates, a designer or developer should make them for you.
• The back-end interface needs to be continuously monitored to ensure all plugins and themes remain up-to-date.

• Very user-friendly editor allows users to make updates themselves.
• Included apps allow you to add specific functionality to your site, though they are not as customizable as other platforms.
• Designed exclusively for your brand, it will look and feel like an extension of all your other client-facing assets.
• Quick turnaround time. Basic Wix sites can be built quickly, however as more functionality is built in through third party apps, the turnaround time may be extended.
• Add blog posts, products, booking/scheduling tools or other dynamic content yourself.
• Significant design flexibility.
• Offers hosting, domain, domain email, email marketing all in one platform.
• You can easily make your own updates (or have a designer do them for you).

• Limited to Wix's app library for additional functionality.
• Though there is significant design flexibility, design can easily be changed (messed up) if you're not sure what you're doing.

• Very user-friendly editor allows users to make updates themselves.
• Regardless of what type of content or section you're adding, it will strictly follow the global design preferences for consistency. Once a designer has set it up for you, it will be tough to mess anything up or change the functionality.
• Add blog posts, products or other booking/scheduling tools.
• Offers hosting, domain, domain email, email marketing all in one platform.

• Limited design and functionality options. Brand colors, logos and images can be used but fonts can only be matched as closely as possible.
• The strict global designs are great for consistency, but GoDaddy does not allow other ways to change individual sections.
• No additional plugins or apps are available.

• Very user-friendly editor allows users to make updates themselves.
• Specifically built for online stores and therefore has all the functionality you need in an online store.
• Can be integrated with POD services or fulfilled yourself.
• Offers shipping discounts.
• Back-end software makes it easy for you to upload and customize the content for your own products, without having to ever adjust anything on the homepage (unless you want to).

• Limited design and functionality options. Brand colors, logos and images can be used but fonts can only be matched as closely as possible.
• Great for online stores or stores that want to sell products online, not suitable for other types of sites.

Even knowing the pros and cons of each platform, as developers we can always find a way to make your website function to the best of its ability, regardless of whether it's fully custom or built on a CMS based platform.

We know all this information can be overwhelming so if you're still not sure which approach is best for you, contact us today! We're happy to chat about what you need in a website, and what your goals are for your user experience on your site.

We’re happy to make recommendations on what the best platform would be for your organization!