Used a website builder—no shame in the drag-and-drop game. Speed was the name of the game, and I wanted to launch yesterday, not wait on dev cycles. Builders like Webflow or Squarespace let you look slick without needing to code a thing. Plus, easy updates = no tech headaches. If it gets you live and selling fast, it's a win.

I built a website builder because I wanted fast experimentation. For me, flexibility was more important than control. I wanted to test multiple coaching offers, change landing page copy weekly, and update my funnel frequently. A no-code builder lets me iterate in real-time without relying on a dev team, which kept me agile in my early stages. You see, there are limitations to using a website builder. The design options may be limited compared to coding from scratch or using a professional web designer. This means that your website may not have a unique or custom look and feel. I would point out that most website builders offer plugins or extensions that can help bridge these limitations. These plugins can add new features and capabilities to your website without needing to code from scratch.

I started with a pre-built LMS when setting up my coaching website. I wanted something that would be ready to go without waiting months for development. Time was tight. My goal was to train both internal staff and clients on cybersecurity practices. Using a pre-made platform meant I could launch right away and focus on content, not coding. Later, I realized we needed more flexibility—things like progress tracking for compliance audits and integrations with our ticketing system. That's when we started exploring custom add-ons. Instead of switching platforms or building from scratch, we kept our original LMS and added a few custom plugins. It gave us the control we needed without giving up the support and scalability that came with the existing system. If you're just starting out, I'd say use a pre-built LMS. It's affordable, fast, and usually comes with support. But keep a close eye on what features you're missing. If your team or clients need more than what's offered, consider adding custom components or, if needed, plan for a gradual transition to a tailored system. Start simple, then adapt.

I used a website builder because it offered the speed and flexibility I needed to get started without the complexity of custom development. With drag-and-drop tools and built-in integrations for scheduling, payments, and email, I could focus on what mattered most, communicating value and booking clients. It also allowed me to easily update content myself without relying on a developer. For our training and education content at CARE Homecare, we've adopted the same philosophy. We use tools that combine website functionality with basic LMS features to host caregiver training modules and family resources. It saves time, keeps things accessible, and makes it easier to scale educational support across our team and client base.

I started with a website builder to validate demand without tech delays. I launched a website builder to get bookings and feedback within days to avoid the trap of overbuilding too early. Once I validated the demand and better understood what my clients actually needed, I moved to a more custom LMS setup that supported scaling without tech debt. According to research, 60% of consumers prefer using a website to find information about businesses. This highlights the importance of having a strong online presence for your coaching business. When starting out, it may be tempting to spend time and resources on building a custom website from scratch. I have found that using a website builder is a more efficient and cost-effective option.

Good Day, I chose bespoke development for my coaching website. As a professional who develops an online presence for healthcare brands, I needed complete control over the pace of the site, its SEO structure, and design. Builders or LMS platforms simply lacked that flexibility. If you decide to use this quote, I'd love to stay connected! Feel free to reach me at spencergarret_fernandez@seoechelon.com

We went with custom development. Website builders and LMS platforms are fine, until they aren't. You hit a wall. Templates start to look the same. Plugins clash. Speed tanks. That wasn't going to cut it. We wanted flexibility. Full control over structure, speed, and how we show up in search. A one-size-fits-all site wouldn't give us that. So, we skipped the shortcuts. Sure, it took more time. And yes, it wasn't the cheapest route. But the result? A site that actually works for us, not against us. We can tweak features on the fly, optimize exactly how we want, and scale without worrying about limits. No waiting for third-party updates or crossing fingers after an LMS "upgrade." Think of it like this: we didn't want to rent a house. We wanted to build one. Brick by brick. For what we do, it made more sense.

I have had the opportunity to build my own coaching website from scratch. When it came to choosing between using a website builder, learning management system (LMS), or custom development, I ultimately went with custom development for several reasons. I wanted my website to reflect my brand and personality. With a website builder or LMS, there are often limitations in terms of design and customization options. By opting for custom development, I was able to work closely with a web developer to create a unique and visually appealing website that truly represented me and my coaching services.

When developing a coaching website, choosing the right approach—website builders, Learning Management Systems (LMS), or custom development—is crucial for usability and audience engagement. Website builders like Wix and Squarespace are user-friendly and ideal for those lacking technical skills, allowing for quick, visually appealing site creation with low initial investment, making them suitable for coaches who want to establish an online presence.

At SVZ, we use Webflow for nearly all our client projects, including our own agency site. As the founder of the first-ever Webflow agency, I've seen it consistently outperform both template builders and traditional custom development approaches for marketing and coaching sites. Webflow gives us the perfect middle ground - the design freedom of custom code with the speed of a visual builder. For Visit Arizona's tourism site, we delivered enterprise-level performance while enabling their marketing team to manage content without developer dependency. Their site became a case study for government web design. The real advantage is post-launch autonomy. We train clients to manage their own sites, which dramatically reduces ongoing costs. For a luxury yacht charter client, their team was able to quickly publish new destination content that drove $250K+ in bookings within 60 days of launch. If you're building a coaching site specifically, focus on conversion optimization. When we redesigned XR Extreme Reach's site, A/B testing their headline and CTA language improved conversion by 17%. Webflow makes these kinds of iterative improvements much easier to implement compared to traditional development.

I would consider the stage of business and/or personal brand you are in. We preach bootstrapping and utilizing Kajabi or something similar if you are just starting out. But personally, for me and my team, I prefer something not too complex that we can grow into. For example, how many clients do I have now? Do we run courses, live training, or even group training? Depending on the number, transaction fees and automation could add up pretty fast. We work solo on custom-built frameworks that can be systematized for future hires, and I pay attention to growth projects. Utilizing our own framework with integrations into payment processors may seem complicated, but over time, with volume, it can save you thousands on expenses a month

I went with a website builder to create my coaching website, mainly because it was fast and budget-friendly. As someone starting out, diving deep into custom development wasn't feasible in terms of time and money. Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify have loads of templates that are almost tailor-made for coaching services, making it super easy to find one that matched my vibe. The other cool thing about using a website builder was how simple it was to tweak things. I could add a blog or set up an appointment booking feature without having to constantly bug a developer. Trust me, if you’re just kicking off and need to get online without much fuss, go for a website builder. It lets you focus more on your coaching content and less on the tech headaches.