Should you DIY your website? Thoughts from a web designer

So you're thinking of creating a new website. The question is, should you go the DIY route or hire a web designer?

There is definitely a time and place for both - let's break down the differences of when you may want to go DIY vs. work with a professional designer.

I've worked on many custom web design and website redesign projects over the years, and here are my thoughts!

When should you DIY your site?

Building a website on your own may be a good fit for you if:

• You are in a hurry to launch a website
• You have a limited budget
• You just started your new business and want to test out the business idea first before investing
• You have the time to make your own site
• You have some technical know-how or like to learn on your own

Overall, if you need to whip up something quickly, have a limited budget and time to spare, then DIY might be a good fit.

However, as a lot of clients I've worked with have learned the hard way, it's not that easy to make a great website.

The Problem with DIY and website templates

These days, thanks to the many ads you see on the internet, many people think it's easy to make a website. Yes, in reality, you can create a website in a day if you want. But the reality is, is that really the right move for your business?

Having worked on a lot of website redesigns from DIY sites, I've seen quite a few things that a lot of DIY sites have in common:

Lack of Differentiation

One of the biggest problems I see with going the DIY route and using drag and drop website builders is that it lacks differentiation. A template or theme should be seen as a starting point, not the end-all, be-all for the design. I've seen so many DIY sites made on Squarespace that uses the default font settings and layout, simply swapping out the text and photos.

This might be ok with to start, but your business' customers will ultimately know the difference. In today's competitive online landscape, if your website isn't memorable, it could spell big trouble for your business.

Website structure isn't right for SEO

As a designer who also works with businesses for SEO, it can be shocking to see that a lot of DIY websites are structured incorrectly for search engines. From incorrectly sized images to lack of proper webpage structure, a lot of DIY websites can have problems with ranking on search engine results pages.

Limited in Design

Going the DIY route and using a template typically comes with a lot of design limitations. You're typically stuck within the boundaries of the design builder, the template, or your own technical knowledge.

Design Inconsistency

One other problem with many DIY websites is that the design tends to look inconsistent. On one page, you might see five different kinds of fonts and a multitude of font sizes, and different layouts on each page. This inconsistency can be confusing for visitors and make it hard for visitors to navigate your site.

As you can see, using a DIY website builder can be a great way to get something up quickly for your business. But as your business grows, it may be time to hire a professional web designer.

Is custom web design right for your business?

From working with many small business owners over the years, here is when custom web design may be the best option for you:

You're ready to take things up a notch in your business

Think of your website as your digital business card. If you're proud of your business, but cringe at the thought of someone googling you and finding your website that you're not proud of, it may be time to work with a web designer!

You have the budget

For many small businesses, a website can cost anywhere between $3,000-$10,000 or more, depending on your website needs. If you have the budget to work with a designer, then custom web design is a great option.

You want a strategically built website

If you want a website that doesn't just look great, but is built with your business and strategy in mind, then designing a custom site for your business is the right move. As a web designer, I've spent almost a decade honing my craft - every website I design is built with the needs of my clients in mind!

You want a pro to handle all of the details

It can be pretty overhwelming to get your website to the finish line if you're working on your own. If you work with a web designer, you're working with someone who handles this on a day to day basis and can provide expert guidance and a helping hand to get your site launched.  

Uplevel Your Online Presence with a custom website

If you want a website that looks great, and is custom-built with your business and strategy in mind, working with a web designer on your custom site is the best move for your business.

As a web designer, I've spent almost a decade honing my craft - every website I design is built with strategy in mind.

If you're ready to take your online presence to the next level, work with me on your custom web design or book a design consultation if you want a designer's eye to look over your website!