Are you considering building a new website or updating an existing one? You’ll have to make an important decision: choosing between making a DIY website vs. finding professional help. It might seem more affordable to build your own website. However, just because you can, does not mean you should.
So, should you build your own website or hire someone? Here are some things to think about when considering a DIY website vs. professional services.
How Much Time Do You Have To Design & Implement?
If you need your website up and running sooner rather than later, time should be a huge consideration for you.
Web design and development is arguably the most complicated and least fun aspect of launching a business website. There are countless books and websites dedicated to web design, but designing and implementing a website takes a lot of skills. If you do not already have experience in coding, typing, and design, it will take you even longer.
Even if you choose to use a site builder, you still have to spend time writing the perfect text, uploading images, choosing a layout, etc.
Running your business and trying to design your website at the same time can get complicated. For instance, you may spend too much time trying to find the perfect color scheme and not enough time running your business.
Professional web designers do this for a living and can have your site finished in a fraction of the time it would take for you to do it yourself.
Do You Need Custom Design?
“Custom design” is a thing of the past when it comes to web design unless you go through a web design professional. Sites like Weebly, Squarespace, and Wix offer “custom” websites, but these are often cookie-cutter templates with minimal customization options. Take a look at Wix websites across the web: Most of them look the same, and several of them are still branded with the Wix logo at the bottom.
There is nothing wrong with a DIY website vs. hiring someone else. DIY website templates can work and cost less than a professional web designer.
However, think of how you want your business to be viewed:
- Do you want Wix or Weebly to advertise their company alongside yours?
- Do you want your website to look like countless websites online that use the same drag and drop templates?
A professional web designer will work with you to create a unique site with a branding solution that fits both you and your business.
How Fast Do You Need Problems Fixed?
Fixing problems as they appear is paramount when you have your own site. For instance, if your “Contact Me” page goes down, potential clients have no way of getting in touch until your fix the issue.
If you created your website, you lose valuable time trying to restore it when it goes down. Even worse, if you cannot solve the problem yourself, you must find someone who can.
Professional web designers have two jobs: Design and implement your website for you and teach you how to manage it once you have taken the reins from them. Web designers will often instruct you on how to manage and mitigate issues with your site.
If you have a close business relationship with your web designer, they may even fix the problem for you! That’s why when it comes to DIY website builders vs. professional website developers, it’s better to hire an expert.
What Kind Of Impression Do You Want To Give Your Site Visitors?
As said before, there is nothing wrong with using a website creation tool for your website. However, when asking yourself if you should build your own website or hire someone, think of the impression you are giving your site visitors. Why would they choose your business, branded “Site Provided by Free-Site-Maker.com,” when they can choose someone that has a well-thought-out design strategy?
Anyone can purchase a domain and put a site up claiming to be a real business. A professionally designed site will solidify your position as a legitimate business. Plus, you may want to implement advanced features such as customer management solutions or membership management to solidify you as a legitimate business. Some of these advanced features are not available with basic website builders like Wix, which is why you should hire a professional.
A well-designed site built by a professional will offer your visitors greater confidence in trusting you, which is often the first step to winning any potential new business.
DIY Website vs. Professional: Which One Is Better For Your Budget?
There are obvious benefits to building your own website, and one of the most significant considerations is budget.
It is understandable not to want to spend more money than you need to on web design, especially for a small business owner. The best web designers will not be cheap, nor should they be. They spend a lot of time and money developing their craft and making themselves the best they can be. However, you’re paying for the highest-quality.
In the end, you must ask yourself: Do I want another cookie-cutter template website for cheap? Or do I want a custom-built, unique website that will capture site visitor attention and make them want to work with me?
Final Thoughts: Should You Build Your Own Website or Hire Someone?
Some niche businesses must rely on outsourcing their web design, like those that use custom apps or cannot operate website builders. However, if you do not need to outsource your web design, you may not know if you should build your own website or hire someone.
Hiring a professional has many benefits. It saves you time on the design process, allows more intricate and unique design options, and gives your site visitors a professional impression. You may be hesitant because a web designer costs more than a site builder like Wix or Weebly, but the benefits far outweigh the risks.
If you need web design services, contact us today! We offer professional web design, branding, and custom web solutions for every business. Let us know your needs, and we will work together to build a beautiful site that resonates with your customers.
