A QUICK GUIDE TO PROVIDER-MANAGED PLATFORMS VS OWNER-HOSTED / CONTROLLED WEBSITES
WHAT WE THINK:
Given a limited budget and straightforward requirements, a provider-managed platform can often be the right choice. If however you have more complex functionality and interactivity requirements a more bespoke, owner-hosted website will almost always be more appropriate.
PROVIDER-MANAGED PLATFORMS
eg Squarespace, Shopify, Wix and others
Managed platforms have a number of advantages for small businesses and are appealing as a result. However there are some disadvantages we need to make you aware of as well.
1. With a managed platform, their developers constantly update the platform behind the scenes to keep the platform running smoothly and securely.
2. They charge monthly fees for using the platform but these fees cover all updates (security, browser compatibility, devices, plugin updates etc) as well as allowing you to use the platform and the systems they’ve put in place.
3. They usually have a good range of standardised templatesa degree of adaptation and personalisation is possible but it is always limited by the underlying design. Despite these limitations it is possible to create a very professional (and individual) web presence.
4. The systems and their template designs may impose some restrictions on what can be done but they are still the best option to achieve most of what is normally required.
5. Compared to a custom-coded site, managed platforms can actually be pretty cost-competitive. This is because with a custom-coded site you are responsible not only for building the site but also for arranging all your own updates on a regular basis. The managed platforms have done some of the build work for you and the monthly fees are usually equivalent to or less than the costs of hosting and occasional maintenance on a custom-coded site.
6. The downside is that your site is built using their proprietary software so must be hosted by that platform and the design/ content cannot be moved to another platform. If you wished to move to an alternative platform at a later date that would mean building a new site.
OWNER-HOSTED / CONTROLLED WEBSITES
eg Wordpress, Laravel and others
With an owner-hosted website the owner is responsible for:
• Identifying the right hosting platform.
• Developing the website (whether bespoke or using a template created by someone else).
• Keeping the elements that run the site updated (content management system, plugins etc).
• Ensuring the continued security of the site.
1. Advantages:
• You are not beholden to one developer or hosting provider. A site can be hosted on any appropriate hosting provider and, provided the same CMS is always retained, moved relatively easily from one hosting provider to another (eg Digital Ocean, Siteground etc).
• You will have far greater options for bespoke design, functionality and interactivity.
• Your hosting fees may be less on a monthly basis than with a provider-managed site.
2. Disadvantages:
• Design costs for this type of site will always be higher due to the underlying complexities of the system.
• You / your developer will need to run regular system updates to keep your site running smoothly and securely. To do this properly takes 4 - 8 hours each time (depending on the complexity of the site and the amount of testing required before updates are made live). This should be done at least once a year (absolute bare minimum) - preferably at least once every three to four months.
HOOLI.
Our clients range from charitable organisations and local government departments through to local businesses who want to get bigger and larger businesses with a profile to maintain. No matter the size of the project, we always aim to deliver the same things: great graphic and web design, engaging and effective social media, clear, thoughtful, copy-writing and a no-nonsense, straightforward, approach to marketing strategy and branding.