A Bird’s-Eye View of Website Building: What’s Out There and How to Choose the Right Fit
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So, you need a website. Maybe you’ve been Googling “cheap web design,” scrolling TikTok for “how to make a site in 5 minutes,” or you’ve had a cousin’s friend’s nephew offer to “help you out” for R500 and a six-pack.
We get it. The online world is full of big promises and shiny packages that sound like magic — but most of them are held together with duct tape and Canva templates.
Let’s cut through the noise and break down the actual ways you can build a website — the good, the bad, and the “girl, don’t do it.”
🧩 Option 1: The DIY Drag-and-Drop Dream
Platforms: Wix | Squarespace | GoDaddy | Shopify Starter
These guys make it sound so easy. “Build your own professional website in minutes!” Sure, Jan.
If your goal is to get something online right now — a simple portfolio, a “contact me” page, or a quick test for an idea — this can work. But don’t expect it to look like Chanel’s website when you’re paying corner-shop prices.
Pros
- ✅ Cheap and fast
- ✅ No tech skills required
- ✅ Templates look decent (from a distance)
Cons
- ❌ Everyone’s site looks the same
- ❌ Limited growth options
- ❌ Migrating later = emotional damage
This is for you if: You just need to exist online. You’re testing the waters, not ready to invest in building a brand yet. Totally fine — just don’t unpack here forever.
🛠 Option 2: The CMS Club (Where the Grown-Ups Hang Out)
Platforms: WordPress | Shopify | Webflow
This is where the real websites live. You can actually customize, integrate, and scale without wanting to throw your laptop across the room. Think of this as moving from your learner’s licence to a sports car — still dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing, but oh, the freedom.
Pros
- ✅ You actually own your site and your data
- ✅ Limitless potential with apps and plugins
- ✅ Scales with your business like a champ
Cons
- ❌ Takes some setup and maintenance
- ❌ There’s a learning curve
- ❌ “Free plugin” can quickly turn into “surprise invoice”
This is for you if: You’re ready to build something real. You either want to learn it properly or hire people who’ll do it right (hi 👋).
🧑💻 Option 3: The Full Custom Code Warriors
Platforms: None of the drag-and-drop stuff — this is pure developer territory.
This is the elite squad: developers who build your site line by line, often using React, Laravel, or custom-coded Shopify themes. These are the digital architects — the ones who make the impossible happen.
Full transparency: this isn’t what we do at Those Ecomm Chicks. We’ve got mad respect for these folks. If this is what you think you need — go for it. (Actually, Vicky’s boyfriend does exactly this... so hit us up anyway, we’ll hook you up 😉).
Pros
- ✅ Fully tailored to your brand and business goals
- ✅ Built for speed, power, and “damn, that’s fancy” functionality
- ✅ Endless integrations and possibilities
Cons
- ❌ You’ll pay for that magic — and rightly so
- ❌ Requires ongoing dev support
- ❌ One wrong dev, and you’re locked out of your own castle
This is for you if: You’ve got an established brand, a clear strategy, and the budget to match. You’re going all in — custom, complex, and fully scalable.
💞 Option 4: The Polycule
Because we know that one solution ain’t always enough. This is where we shine.
The best of all worlds — a pro site customized for YOU, using proven frameworks without the 10k+ price tag. We know what works, what converts, and how to make your brand look like the main character and the love interest.
And let’s be real — the fact that you’re reading this means we know who we’re talking to and where to find you. 😉
Pros
- ✅ Pro results without the price hangover
- ✅ Strategic layouts, refined branding, and your personality baked in
- ✅ You own it all (no tech hostage situations here)
- ✅ Real humans guiding you every step of the way
Cons
- ❌ You still need to bring your content — but we will finesse it for you!
- ❌ If you ghost us, your site won’t finish itself (we will lovingly stalk your DMs)
This is for you if: You want the real deal — a site that’s sexy, strategic, and actually sells. You’re done with DIY disasters and ready to play in the big leagues (with people who speak fluent “plain English,” not tech gibberish).
🚫 The “$99 Custom Site” Scam Alert
Let’s call this what it is: catfishing for entrepreneurs. If you see “Custom Website for $99!” or “Guaranteed sales in 30 days!” — run, bestie, RUN.
They’ll copy-paste a generic template, slap your logo on it, and vanish faster than your ex after payday. No SEO. No ownership. No support. Just bad vibes and broken links.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably came from a Facebook ad with stock photos.