DIY website design has become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to the proliferation of user-friendly website builders and templates.
However, while there are certainly advantages to going the DIY route, there are also significant drawbacks that business owners should consider before making a decision.
DIY website design may seem like a cost-effective and easy solution, but there are both pros and cons to consider before making a decision.
The Pros of DIY Web Design
So let's start with the pros of DIY web design first, and the one reason many business owners build their own website.
Huge Savings
One of the biggest advantages of DIY website design is cost savings.
This can be a huge benefit to new businesses that want to just get their business out there without going over budget and hiring an expensive web designer.
But keep in mind that there are also potential downsides to DIY website design.
While it may seem cost-effective in the short term, it can be more expensive in the long run if you make mistakes or have to constantly make changes to your website.
As they say - time is money. And if you're not building your website correctly, it may not even be seen by Google.
So make sure you use your time wisely!
Control and flexibility
With DIY website design, business owners have complete control over the design and functionality of their website.
They can make changes and updates as needed, without having to rely on a third-party designer or developer.
You get to decide the overall look and feel, the layout, the colors, the fonts, and the images.
This level of control can be a big advantage for some businesses, especially those that have a very specific vision for their website.
But if you're not a designer and don't know the flow of how websites are built, it can potentially do worse for your website.
Remember, your website will be a reflection of your business. So make sure your website has the proper design and copy.
Faster Turnaround
With a DIY approach, you have full control over your project timeline. You can work on your website whenever you have the time, whether it's during the weekends or late at night.
This flexibility allows you to create a website on your own schedule, without the need to coordinate with others.
Additionally, if you have a tight deadline or need to make changes quickly, you can do so without the need to wait for an agency to make the changes for you.
This can be especially helpful for businesses with time-sensitive promotions or events.
It's important to note that a faster turnaround time can also come with its own set of challenges.
When working on a website project alone, it's important to manage your time effectively and prioritize tasks to ensure that the website is completed on time.
If you don't have the necessary skills or experience, the DIY approach could actually end up taking longer and becoming more challenging than initially anticipated.
I'm sure we've all tried to DIY things to save money but took longer.
So What Are the Cons Now
While the benefits of building your own website are certainly attractive, there are also several drawbacks to consider before deciding to take the DIY route.
I personally feel like there would be more cons than pros.
So let's dive into some of the challenges that I think DIY websites would face.
Lack of Expertise
Expertise can branch down into many more topics.
But we'll stick with some common ones.
So those who opt for DIY website design may not have the technical expertise needed to create a website that is visually appealing, functional, and optimized for search engines.
This can result in a website that looks unprofessional and fails to attract and retain visitors, or even be seen by any search engines.
Remember, building a website that accurately represents your brand and effectively communicates your message requires a certain level of technical know-how and design skills.
A poorly designed website can turn off potential customers and hurt your business's credibility.
So if your website is difficult to navigate or has technical issues, visitors may quickly leave and never return.
If you're picky with designs and are a perfectionist, then I guarantee that you may spend much more time on your website than needed.
So that brings us to time commitment.
How Much Is Your Time Worth?
I know what you're thinking.
"I thought one of the pros is the faster turnaround time?"
Yes, but it can go both ways.
This depends on how much you know about putting together a website, working on different platforms, and the design you want.
Some can get too involved in building their website (that's the perfectionist).
And others just want something up really quick.
So how much is your time worth?
Learning how to use a website builder or template, designing the website, and creating content can take up a considerable amount of time, which can be a challenge for business owners who are already stretched thin.
Where Do I Build My Website?
With so many platforms out there to build websites, which do you choose?
Popular options are:
So what do you use?
Trying to research each one can be incredibly time-consuming and waste your time as a business owner.
At Hungry Ram, We don't rely on any of those platforms.
The main reason is that our focus is to move away from easy-to-use platforms and build websites from the ground up using JAMstack.
This helped our journey on standing out from other agencies that rely on website builders.
Curious about what JAMstack is? Take a read at our recent article.
Limited Customization
I was debating whether to put this one in this article, but why not.
The reason is some platforms are limited in what you can do to your website.
Whether it be designing, changing code, updating technical SEO, or even controlling how your website renders images.
Business owners who want a truly unique website may find that a DIY approach falls short.
By finding a designer and developer who builds your website with pure code, they'll have access to unlimited resources for your website.
So What's The Best Option?
Ultimately, the decision of whether to design your website yourself or hire a professional designer depends on your own needs and goals.
If you have a very clear idea of what you want your website to look like and have the technical skills to make it happen, designing it yourself may be a good option.
However, if you want to ensure that your website looks and functions its best, and want the flexibility to make changes and adjustments as your business grows, working with a professional web designer is likely the better choice.
This will ensure that you have the proper website built for search engines, user experience, and delivering a safe and secure website for your customers.
Want Us To Build Your Website?
By hiring a professional web designer like Hungry Ram, you can benefit from our expertise, experience, and skills, resulting in a website that accurately represents your brand and effectively communicates your message.
You get to also create new connections, which is what we do at Hungry Ram. All our clients are our friends!
Reach out to our team if you need help on your project.
