Why would somebody choose another product or service over yours? What is it about the product or service you provide that someone doesn't like? If you have ever run a business or had to service customers in any capacity, these are questions that you have had to face before. WebStarts is certainly no exception. We are constantly analyzing the feedback we get from our users and if something needs to change in what we provide, we see to it that it does. Within reason of course. We realize that we can't be everything to everyone, and we're OK with that. Based on some of that feedback, below are 5 reasons why WebStarts may not be for you...

1. WebStarts isn't free

Typing that out feels a bit disingenuous, but I'm just trying to remain on task and address the feedback we've received. To truly qualify that statement, it is completely free to sign up for and use WebStarts. And at the time of this article being written, your free account will never expire and will never require you to pay to keep it active. The free version is limited in some ways, but ultimately is intended to provide a commitment-free way to test out what WebStarts is all about before committing to the platform. 

Here's where it gets a little confusing for some... In addition to the free accounts we provide, we also offer a number of different products and services that do require payment. Things like domain names, web hosting, premium support, etc. These things do have a cost and as a business, we have to charge for such things in order to remain in business. If you're looking to build and manage a website for your own business, and have no intention of paying for such a service, then you should definitely look elsewhere. 

2. No 24-hour support

Providing quality support to our customers is something we take very seriously. For that reason, we will never outsource that support to someone that is hardly more than a warm body on the other end of the phone. Most are all too familiar with this type of support. Instead, when you call or email the WebStarts support team during the hours of 10 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday, you're going to get someone who is intimately familiar with all things related to your website and will be sure to help out in the event you need it. 

Now, that's not to say we don't monitor our support box after hours. We most definitely do keep an eye out for emergencies should there be any, so shoot us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can. Or, check out our help docs or the hundreds of videos we have on our YouTube channel. The answer is out there to be sure. However, got a question at 10 pm on a Wednesday evening and insist on talking to someone on the phone? I'm afraid WebStarts can't help you there. Need an email immediately responded to at 4 am on a Saturday? That might have to wait until Monday unfortunately.

 3. WebStarts is geared toward creators

When we built the WebStarts editor, we did so with Freedom being the ultimate goal. Freedom to create anything you want with your website, without the restrictions that come from a template-based website builder. Your website should be an extension of who you are and what you provide and it should be undeniably yours. If you don't want to be bothered having to be involved in the creative process of building your website, or you're not concerned about creating a truly unique web presence, then WebStarts may not be your best option.

4. We don't provide FTP access to your site files

FTP, or File Transfer Protocol, was created back in 1971 by some guy named Abhay Bhushan. It's primary purpose being the transfer of files from your computer to your web server. However, with the advent of web-based tools like we provide, FTP has been made all but completely obsolete. There are more secure, and more efficient ways to skin that cat to be sure. That being said, if you have your heart set on firing up your favorite FTP client to make changes to your site, you'll have to find another website provider.

5. WebStarts will send you emails

I hate SPAM. Be it in the form of a meat-food substance, or that of an unsolicited email message in my inbox, I never want to see it. It's intrusive and does nothing but ruin an otherwise critical service I rely on daily. However, imagine for a moment I get an email from a company whose services I willingly signed up for. Maybe this email contains information about an additional product this new service I signed up for offers. That would not be considered unsolicited and its definitely not SPAM. This is nothing more than a marketing email and marketing through email is the #1 way to stay engaged with your customers. Period. This is just good business and is something everyone should be doing. WebStarts even provides our own Email Marketing platform to our customers and we encourage everyone to use it.

- Will you receive emails from WebStarts after you sign up? Yes.
- Can you unsubscribe from those emails? Also yes.
- Will you lose your cool if you get an email from WebStarts? I hope not. If so, don't sign up :)

I'm sure there are more reasons why someone chooses another provider over WebStarts. This article was written as more of an exercise in thought than it was as an actual data-driven record. The ways someone uses a computer can vary wildly, and what works for one person may not work for another. There are lots of options out there when it comes to building a website and I would encourage you to try them all. See what fits and works best for what you are wanting to do. Don't just go by what someone else says you should use or what you've heard is 'best' or the most 'popular'. See for yourself. Build your own free website with WebStarts without any commitment what-so-ever.