The short answer
The right website depends on what it has to do. A custom-coded site gives you the most speed and control, WordPress offers flexibility and a huge plugin ecosystem, Shopify is built for online stores, and drag-and-drop builders are the fastest way to get a simple site live. Whatever you choose, make sure you own the domain and content, the site loads quickly on a phone and every page is written to bring in customers.
Four ways to build a business website
| Custom-coded | WordPress | Shopify | Website builders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What drives the cost | Design and development time, number of pages, custom features | Theme or custom build, plugins, hosting, ongoing updates | Monthly plan, theme, apps, payment fees | Monthly plan; your own time |
| Speed | Typically the fastest, with no unused code | Varies widely with theme, plugins and hosting | Generally good; heavy apps can slow it | Varies; limited control over code |
| Ownership | You can own the code outright, depending on the contract | Open source; you own content and can move hosts | Hosted on Shopify; you own content and data, not the platform | Tied to the platform; hard to move |
| Upkeep | Low software maintenance; changes go through a developer | Regular core, theme and plugin updates | Platform handles updates | Platform handles updates |
| Best for | Service businesses that compete in search and want speed and control | Content-heavy sites and teams that want to edit often | Online stores and product catalogs | Brand-new businesses that need a simple site fast |
Custom-coded websites
A custom-coded site is written for your business instead of assembled from a theme. Without a stack of plugins, these sites tend to load quickly, which matters on phones and for search. You get full control over structure, schema and page layout, which helps with SEO and AI answers. The trade-off is that changes usually go through your developer, so ask how edits are handled and what they cost.
WordPress
WordPress powers a large share of the web and is open source, so you can move it between hosts. It's a strong choice if you publish often, need a blog or want a large choice of developers. Performance and security depend on choosing a lean theme, few well-maintained plugins and good hosting, and someone must keep updates current.
Shopify
For a Colorado business selling products online, whether outdoor gear, coffee or local goods, Shopify handles carts, payments, inventory and shipping out of the box. You'll pay a monthly plan plus apps and transaction costs, and you're working within Shopify's platform rules. Service businesses that don't sell online usually don't need it.
Website builders
Drag-and-drop builders get a simple, attractive site online quickly and cheaply. They're a reasonable start for a brand-new business. Most aren't optimized for search unless you do that work, and moving off a builder later usually means rebuilding from scratch.
What every Colorado business website needs
- Loads fast on a phone, including on rural and mountain connections
- Phone number and a clear call to action on every page
- A page for each main service and each area you serve, written in plain language
- Structured data with your name, address, phone, hours and services
- Accessible design: readable contrast, alt text, labeled forms and keyboard navigation
- Name, address and phone that match your Google Business Profile and listings
- Domain, hosting and content registered in your business name
Plan for life after launch
A website isn't finished on launch day. Decide up front who will update hours, prices, photos and staff bios, and how quickly changes can be made. Seasonal businesses, from ski shops to rafting outfitters and landscapers, need a plan for switching offers and hours as the seasons turn. Keep your domain, business email and analytics accounts in your name, set calendar reminders for domain and hosting renewals, and make sure more than one person at the business can log in. Finally, review the site every few months on a phone, as a customer would, and fix anything confusing.
How to hire a web designer
- Look at live sites they've built on your own phone, not screenshots.
- Ask who owns the domain, code, content and hosting when the project ends.
- Ask how search and AI-answer optimization are handled, not just the design.
- Get the price, timeline, revision rounds and ongoing costs in writing.
- Ask what happens if you want to leave: can you take the site with you?
For real price levels, read how much a website costs in Colorado. To compare local firms, see Denver web design companies that meet our published criteria.
A custom-coded website from $99/mo
Eye To Ad Media, which built and runs this directory, offers custom-coded websites starting at $99/mo on a subscribe-to-own plan. Rates depend on size, complexity and optimization. This is our own offer, so it's labeled featured.
Web designers by city
Browse every web designer in Colorado or graphic designers for logos and branding.
Common questions
Is a custom-coded website better than WordPress?
It depends on the job. Custom-coded sites are usually faster and give more control for search, while WordPress is easier for teams that edit content often. Both can work well when built carefully.
Do I need Shopify for my business website?
Only if you sell products online. Service businesses that take calls and book appointments usually do not need an e-commerce platform.
Are website builders good enough for a small business?
For a simple online presence, often yes. If you need to rank in search and bring in leads, a professionally built and optimized site usually does more.
Who should own my website and domain?
You should. Register the domain in your business name and make sure your contract says you own the content and can take the site with you.