If you want to start a website for your business, you have two main options. The first is to create the site from scratch, while the second is to rely on clone scripts and themes. Usually, website cloning is the better solution out of the two.
As its name suggests, the cloning method involves creating a replica of an existing site. So, compared to most other website building options, clone scripts are more affordable. Plus, they allow startups to add unique features to the site and to get their business off the ground quickly.
Still, don’t confuse clone scripts and themes for regular website themes. With cloning, your site will have the features and design of some popular platform in your business niche. For example, if you are launching a video-on-demand streaming service, you can use a Netflix clone.
In contrast, ready-made scripts each have different functionalities and design. As a result, all of them won’t work for the site concept you have in mind. What’s worse, regular themes are not always SEO friendly, and they may not work on all browsers and devices. Fortunately, you can avoid such problems by going for the clone website option.
Key Benefits of Using Clone Scripts for Your Website
Today, many business owners prefer to use clone scripts because they have many advantages. Let’s look at some of the top benefits they can offer you and your business.
1. Fast Website Launch
Most entrepreneurs try to get their business ventures off the ground as soon as possible. Otherwise, they risk wasting money and precious time.
Unfortunately, building a website from scratch can take months. Also, even when the site is ready, developers need to check for bugs in the script. Then they need to fix them, and that can further delay the debut of the business.
Luckily, a clone script or theme is pre-coded, and it tends to have fewer errors. That means it can be set up quickly, which will speed up the launch of the site.
2. Great Affordability
Building a website from scratch takes not only time but also money. As a start, you must hire an entire team of developers. Also, you will need to pay for everything from user interface design to feature development. For a small business, that can prove to be a financial stretch.
In comparison, clone themes and scripts are affordable because the developer simply borrows an effective concept to make your site. As such, they don’t need to plan and design every little detail about the project. Therefore, aside from being fast to launch, clone websites also involve fewer costs.
3. No Need for Technical Skills or Knowledge
A clone script or theme is ideal for entrepreneurs with little or no technical knowledge. It is very easy to use for people who don’t have coding skills.
What’s more, you won’t need to plan the site’s design or discuss its functionalities with your dev team. Someone else has done that for you. You only need to buy the theme, upload it to your website and install it. The set-up process takes minutes and it involves no technicalities.
4. A Shortcut to a High-Demand Website
Even if you thoroughly research the market, you still may fail to create a website that attracts visitors. So, to play it safe, many online businesses prefer to opt for a clone of a platform that is successful. By doing so, they end up with a high-demand site that can swiftly increase their brand awareness and visibility. Also, entrepreneurs enjoy all the benefits that the original site offers without having to spend a fortune to get them.
For instance, if you want to start a video-sharing website, use a YouTube clone. After all, this is one of the best and most popular platforms in its category. Any site cloned from it is technically destined to succeed.
5. A Mobile-Friendly Solution
Nowadays, many people use mobile devices to search the web. According to the latest surveys, 52.5% of all the Internet traffic now comes from mobile. As a result, the number of online mobile users is constantly increasing. So, if you want your business to have a competitive edge, you must ensure that your website is mobile-friendly.
Usually, mobile optimization is pricey, and it can quickly burn a hole in the budget of a small business. Luckily, you don’t have to worry about extra costs if you use a clone script. Still, do make sure you clone a site that has a mobile-responsive design.
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Clone Script
Clearly, website cloning can provide business owners with various advantages. However, bear in mind that there are all types of script vendors out there. It would be best if you consider several key points before you invest in any clone theme.
User Experience Quality
Avoid buying clone scripts and themes that have a complex or cluttered design. The site must be easy to browse and to understand. Also, users need to be able to find the information they are looking for quickly. Otherwise, they won’t bother coming back.
Customization Cost
Sometimes, developers can charge you extra if you decide to customize your clone. Therefore, it’s best if you check in advance if they have customization costs. You will usually find this information on the vendor’s terms-and-conditions page.
Responsiveness of the Website Design
As we mentioned, your clone website needs to be mobile-friendly. Most users prefer sites that have a responsive design. What’s more, search engines rank platforms that are optimized for mobile devices high in their results. So, don’t spend your money on a clone that is not mobile-ready.
Loading Speed
When buying a clone script, make sure it has fast loading speeds. You can use Pingdom’s website speed test, for example. If your site doesn’t meet this requirement, it will suffer from low search engine ranking and low bounce rates. Also, it will fail to encourage user engagement.
You might wonder how fast a site should be. Ideally, your visitors must not spend more than three seconds opening the website. This rule applies to all devices, mobile phones and computers included.
Maintenance Process
Before you commit to any clone theme or script, check if it is easy to maintain. Otherwise, you may need to expand your tech skills. Even worse, you may have to hire an expert to maintain the site for you.
SEO
Finally, your clone script must have a user-friendly SEO interface. Without it, it can be difficult and time-consuming to optimize your site for search engines, especially if you are not tech-savvy.
When the interface for SEO is easy to use, you will have no problem implementing your SEO strategies. Also, you will be able to quickly add keywords and edit metadata and URLs. Best of all, by completing all these tasks yourself you won’t need to outsource your SEO which will reduce your marketing costs in the long run.
To Conclude
As you can see, clone scripts and themes are the best website building option available nowadays. They not only have a functional design, but they also save startups money and time. So, if you are a business owner, it’s worth considering using the cloning method yourself. Still, if you want to make the most of it, do take into account the factors above.