What are Proprietary Website Builders?
When exploring options for building a website, many customers come across platforms like Wix, Squarespace, Weebly, and Shopify. These are examples of proprietary website builders—tools developed and maintained by specific companies that offer a bundled solution for website creation and hosting.
What Makes a Website Builder Proprietary
A proprietary website builder typically includes:
- Website creation software
- Hosting services
- Pre-designed templates
- Additional features such as e-commerce tools or marketing integrations
These platforms are designed to be user-friendly, making them a popular choice for individuals and small businesses that want to launch a website quickly without needing technical skills.
Key Features of Proprietary Website Builders
Closed Ecosystem
Proprietary website builders operate within a tightly controlled environment. This means the design tools, hosting services, templates, and even content management systems are all managed by the same provider. While this setup simplifies the process for users, it also limits flexibility when trying to customize or move the site elsewhere.
Custom Technology
These platforms use their own unique coding structures and technologies. Unlike open-source systems, the code used in proprietary builders isn't standardized, which makes it difficult to transfer or reuse the site on another platform. This can be a challenge for users who want more control or plan to scale their website later.
Limited Export Options
Most proprietary builders don't offer a way to fully export your website. You might be able to download some content, like images or blog posts, but the overall design and functionality often can't be transferred. This makes switching to another provider more complicated and time-consuming.
Managed Hosting
Hosting is included as part of the package and is specifically optimized for the builder's platform. While this can improve performance and security, it also means you can't choose your own hosting provider or move your site independently. You're essentially locked into their hosting environment.
Why Migrating Away Can Be Challenging
- Non-Standard Code
- No Full Export Functionality
- Platform Dependency
- Bundled Hosting
- Backend Limitations
Non-Standard Code
Websites built on proprietary platforms often use custom widgets and features that only work within that system. So if you try to move your site elsewhere, those elements might break or stop working altogether—meaning you’ll likely need to rebuild them from scratch.
No Full Export Functionality
Unlike open-source platforms, proprietary builders rarely allow users to export their entire site in standard formats like HTML, CSS, or JavaScript. This limits your ability to migrate the site to another provider or platform.
Platform Dependency
Many features—such as drag-and-drop editors, integrated apps, and custom plugins—are deeply tied to the builder's backend. These tools won't function outside the original platform, which can be frustrating for users looking to switch.
Bundled Hosting
Because hosting is part of the package, you can't separate your website from the builder's hosting service. This makes it difficult to move your site to a different hosting provider without starting from scratch.
Backend Limitations
Even if you’re able to export some of the front-end files, things like contact forms, shopping carts, or content management features usually won’t work properly outside the original platform. That’s because those tools rely heavily on the platform’s backend services and infrastructure to function.
What Are the Alternatives
Rebuild the Website
One of the most practical and reliable ways to move forward is by rebuilding your site using an open-source platform like WordPress. It gives you full control over everything—from design and hosting to functionality—and makes future migrations a lot smoother.
Export What's Available
Some proprietary platforms allow you to export basic content—such as blog posts, images, or product data. While this won't preserve your full site layout, it can save time when rebuilding on a new platform.
Use Website Downloader Tools
There are tools that can scrape your site and convert it into static HTML files. This method captures the visual layout but removes dynamic features like forms or shopping carts. It's a temporary solution, not a long-term fix.
Reach Out to Support
Some providers do offer limited tools or support to help you migrate your content. It’s a good idea to reach out to their support team first—you might find they have options that can make the process a bit easier before you commit to anything.
Summary
Proprietary website builders are ideal for quick setup and ease of use, especially for those new to web development. However, they come with limitations—particularly when it comes to migrating the site or customizing beyond the platform's capabilities. Customers who anticipate needing more flexibility in the future may benefit from starting with an open-source solution that allows greater control over hosting, design, and functionality.
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