We have moved away from relying on WordPress and HighLevel for most website builds, and there is a simple reason why. We want sites that are cleaner, faster to manage, and easier to use for local SEO work.
Right now, we are using an HTML website builder called SiteSwarm. It is not publicly available yet, so that limits who can use it today. But the bigger point is not just the tool itself. The real point is why we wanted this kind of builder in the first place.
For the kind of work we do, plain HTML sites make a lot of sense. We are not trying to turn every root domain into a full content machine with a blog built into the same setup. We are usually building business sites that need to be solid, simple, and easy to rank.
Table of Contents
Why We Stopped Leaning on HighLevel for Websites
HighLevel websites worked for a while. At one point, they were good enough to get the job done. But over time, they became something we did not want to keep using as our main site platform.
The short version is this: the websites just are not good enough for how we want to build now.
That does not mean HighLevel has no use. It just means that for website building, we no longer want it as the core option. If a tool creates friction, slows us down, or gives us sites we do not like working with, then we look for a better way.
That is exactly what happened here.
Why We Prefer HTML Sites
We asked for a website builder that creates HTML sites on purpose. That was not random. We wanted to get away from WordPress and build sites in a cleaner format.
There are a few reasons for that.
- HTML sites are simple. There is less going on in the background.
- They are easier to manage for this use case. We do not need a full content management system for every project.
- They help us avoid bloat. Many traditional builders pile on extra stuff we do not need.
- They fit local SEO sites well. A local business site often needs strong core pages, not a huge publishing system.
When we say we prefer HTML, we are talking about practical use. We are not saying every site on the internet should be built this way. We are saying it works well for the types of sites we build most often.
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Why We Are Trying to Get Out of WordPress
We will be blunt about it. We do not like working in WordPress anymore.
WordPress still powers a lot of websites, and we still manage some client sites that use it. So this is not a claim that WordPress is dead or useless. It is still everywhere. But for our own workflow, we prefer to avoid it whenever we can.
Here is the issue. WordPress is a CMS, which means content management system. That is great if you need ongoing publishing, lots of posts, multiple users, categories, and all the things that come with a full blog setup.
But if we are not blogging on the root domain, then all of that starts to feel like extra weight.
In other words, if the website mainly needs service pages, location pages, contact info, and a clean structure, then WordPress can be more system than we need.
That is why we are moving clients to HTML sites when it makes sense.
When a CMS Makes Sense and When It Does Not
This is where a lot of people get mixed up. They assume every website should use a CMS because that is what most people have used for years.
We look at it differently.
If we are not doing blog publishing on the main site, we do not need a CMS there. That is the key idea.
Instead, we can keep the main business website lean and use a subdomain for content publishing when needed. That gives us a cleaner split:
- Root domain: the main business website
- Subdomain: the place for blog content and publishing if we need it
That structure removes the need to force WordPress onto the root domain just because it is the default habit.
For us, that is a smarter setup.
The Builder We Are Using Right Now
The current builder we are using is called SiteSwarm. It was built by Jeremy from Press Advantage, and it was designed with HTML websites in mind.
That is important because this was not about chasing the latest AI tool or swapping one bloated system for another. The goal was to have a site builder that supports the kind of website structure we actually want.
At the moment, it is not open to the public. So if you are trying to use it right now, that is the main limitation. There is not a public launch date we can point to with confidence.
Still, the reason it stands out is not just the name of the software. It is that it reflects a bigger shift in how we think about building websites for local SEO and agency work.
What This Means for Local SEO Sites
For local SEO, we usually do not need a fancy stack just to launch and manage a business website. We need pages that support rankings, conversion, and clean site architecture.
That often means:
- Home pages that clearly explain the business
- Service pages built around search intent
- Location pages for target areas
- Contact and trust pages
- A simple setup that is easy to maintain
When the site structure is straightforward, an HTML build can be a strong fit. It keeps us focused on what matters instead of spending time dealing with themes, plugin problems, and CMS maintenance tasks.
That is a big reason we have changed direction.
Are AI HTML Builders the Answer?
The question often comes up as a three-way choice: GHL, WordPress, or some AI HTML app.
Our answer is a little different. We are not choosing based on hype. We are choosing based on whether the tool helps us build the kind of sites we want.
If a builder creates clean HTML sites and makes the process easier, then great. If it adds junk, gets clunky, or locks us into a setup we do not like, then we move on.
So yes, HTML builders are where our interest is right now. But the bigger issue is fit, not buzzwords.
Our Practical Platform Strategy Right Now
If we boil it down, our current strategy looks like this:
- Use HTML sites for the main business website whenever possible.
- Avoid HighLevel as the primary website platform.
- Move away from WordPress for root domain builds when blogging is not needed there.
- Keep using WordPress only where it still exists or where it truly makes sense.
- Separate the main site from publishing functions by using a subdomain for blog content if needed.
This gives us a cleaner workflow and a website setup that better matches our goals.
Why Simpler Usually Wins
There is a pattern we see again and again. People pick tools because they look powerful, not because they fit the job.
Then a few months later, they are stuck with:
- too many plugins
- site maintenance headaches
- page builder problems
- slow workflows
- sites they do not enjoy editing
We would rather keep it simple.
If a plain HTML site gives us what we need, that is the better choice for us. Less clutter often means fewer problems and faster production.
That is not flashy, but it is practical.
Helpful Resources
If you are working on local SEO systems and agency processes, these resources may help:
FAQ
What website platform are we using now?
We are currently using an HTML website builder called SiteSwarm. It is not publicly available yet.
Are we still using HighLevel for websites?
Not as our main website solution. We used it before, but we do not like it for website building now.
Do we still use WordPress?
Yes, in some cases. We still manage WordPress sites for existing clients, but we prefer not to build new root domain sites with WordPress unless there is a strong reason.
Why move away from WordPress?
Because we do not like working in it anymore, and many of the sites we build do not need a full CMS. If there is no blog on the root domain, WordPress can be more than we need.
Why use HTML websites for local SEO?
HTML websites can be simpler, cleaner, and better suited to business sites that mainly need core pages instead of a full publishing system.
Do we need a CMS if we publish blog content?
Not always on the root domain. We often keep the main website as HTML and use a subdomain for blog content, which means the root domain does not need a CMS.
If there is one takeaway here, it is this: pick the platform that fits the work. For us, that means simpler HTML builds for many local business sites, less WordPress, and no more leaning on HighLevel websites as the default.