Should You Hire Someone to Build Your Website or DIY it?

Having a well-designed website is crucial for anyone looking to establish an online presence. We’ve been singing this tune for a long time now I know, but it’s very important so it’s worth repeating. Whether you’re launching a new website for a small business or updating an existing personal project, one thing I’ll tell you is that it has to a) look really good and b) function really well. The competition and saturation online is so high that with a mediocre or poorly functioning site, you’re only doing more damage than good. That’s the hard truth when it comes to competing online.

One of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to hire a professional web designer or use a DIY website builder. Both options have their pros and cons, and the best choice depends on various factors, such as your business, your needs, time-constraints, budget, technical expertise, and the purpose of your website.

This post will explore the key differences between hiring a professional website developer and going the DIY route, helping you make an informed decision on how to get your website live in the most efficient and effective way – for you. 

And yes, to answer what you’re probably thinking I do offer web design services, so of course I have a vested interest in my clients choosing to invest in web design with me! Having said that though, I only work with clients for whom the work is the right investment and is going to have the best impact. And they need to be ready to continue building their business and putting time into the work that comes after. For many, the DIY route is the better option based on their current needs and business. And often, I do advise some people who I have discovery calls with to DIY their site rather than work with me – because I think it’s right for them at that time. 

Today’s blog post, similar to what a discovery call with me would look like, aims to present you with the information you need to make the right decision for you and your business, because who better than YOU to make that call? Let’s review and give you all the information you need to make the best decision. 

Want to skip to the summary and find out which option is best for you? Click Here!

The DIY Route: A Great Option for Small-er Budgets

For those with a small budget, using a DIY website builder can be an appealing choice. Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Showit offer website templates that make building a website accessible to people with little to no technical skills. These DIY platforms usually provide a free trial, allowing you to experiment with different design elements before making a financial commitment. Once you’ve tried the platform, you’ll have to select a template (or theme) that you’ll use to design the rest of your site. These platforms are almost entirely visual, meaning you’re moving elements around on the screen and selecting from design options instead of writing intensive code. 

Advantages of the DIY Approach

  1. Initial Cost Savings: One of the most significant advantages of the DIY option is that it can be a cost-saving alternative at the beginning. Instead of paying a professional website developer, which will likely cost you more upfront you can use online website builders that come at a fraction of the price at the beginning. However, there is a fee associated with the ease that comes with using these platforms. More on this later though! 
  2. Control Over the Design Process: I write this with caution because it does depend on the web designer you choose. When you build your own site, you have complete control over the design process and have endless variations and freedom to play around and change things. You can make changes any time you like, without needing to go through a third party. 
  3. User-Friendly Platforms: Most DIY website platforms offer intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces that are easy to navigate, even for beginners. This reduces the learning curve involved in building a website. Can’t argue with that one! 
  4. Basic Features at Your Fingertips: If you only need a brochure site or a simple online presence, a DIY builder is a great choice. Most of these platforms have pre-designed page templates that make it easy to plug in your branding, work and custom copy and press publish. These platforms usually also include the ability to add contact forms, image galleries, and blogs fairly quickly and without much customization. Often times, it’s more than enough when you’re just starting out! 

Disadvantages of the DIY Approach

  1. Limited Customization: Yes, I realize we just finished saying that limited customizations can be an advantage. But, it can also be kind of limiting, especially when it comes to implementing unique branding on your site. While DIY builders are great for basic websites, they often lack the ability to truly customize the site. You might find yourself constrained by the website template you choose, installing custom fonts or layouts can also be a bit tricky or even not available. If your site has complex requirements, such as custom e-commerce functionality or advanced SEO, a DIY builder may not be the best option. And you know how big we are on SEO! 
  2. Time-Consuming: Building your own website takes a lot of time, your time. You’ll need to invest hours into learning the platform, selecting the right design elements, and troubleshooting any issues. I’ll say it again…Troubleshooting.  Many small business owners find that the DIY route ends up consuming too much of their time, taking them away from more critical business tasks. While it may then appear as more affordable, the time it’ll take you to build it correctly might be better spent creating products or selling. 
  3. Professionalism and First Impressions: A DIY site may not always look as polished as one built by a professional designer. Since your website is often the first impression you make on potential customers, a lackluster design will probably hurt your credibility. In contrast, a professional website can immediately instill trust and attract more visitors, so be sure to take that into account and how familiar you are with getting your site to that level. 
  4. Ownership: This is the one really worth considering, and it’s a big one. For entrepreneurs who utilize their websites in a big way – monetization, running ads, consistent and bloggin, you want to have complete ownership of your website and the content you’re posting. The biggest limitation to using a platform that is fully-hosted like Wix or Squarespace is that you don’t have ownership of the content. If something changes on those platforms, so will your site. Also, you’re not able to download, save or move your site’s contents over to another platform if you choose to. You’ll have to rebuild it. Now, while that is not necessarily related to hiring a web designer (since a lot of web designers, including The Good Canvas, can help you build your site on these platforms), my recommendation is that if you’re hiring a web designer, do it the self-hosted way and use a platform like WordPress. If you want to understand a bit more about this whole ownership thing, there’s more here. 

Hiring a Professional Web Designer: A Custom Solution

For businesses or individuals who need a custom website or want a truly unique online presence, hiring a professional web designer or web developer can be the better choice. While it may come with an additional cost upfront, the long run benefits often outweigh the upfront investment.

“Working on my website with Donata was such an easy, smooth collaboration.

She understood my needs and my vision very quickly, and I loved seeing her ideas for my content. She’s efficient, responsive, and so pleasant to work with. I’m very excited to see my website come to life!”

CRISTINA ALONSO, WRITER

Advantages of Hiring a Professional Developer

  1. Customization: One of the most significant advantages of hiring a professional is the ability to get a fully custom website designed for your specific needs. Whether you’re building an e-commerce site or a blog, a professional web designer can create a tailored solution that aligns with your goals.
  2. Years of Experience: Professional designers and developers bring years of experience in best practices for design, functionality, and user experience. They know how to create a well-designed website that not only looks beautiful but also functions smoothly for your target audience.
  3. SEO-Optimized Website: A professional website developer will ensure that your site is optimized for search engines. This is critical for driving organic traffic and reaching potential customers. SEO is often overlooked in the DIY process, where site owners focus more on aesthetics than functionality.
  4. Expertise with Complex Requirements: If you need more than just a basic website—like advanced features for an e-commerce site—a professional will be able to handle the complex requirements that a DIY builder may not support. Custom integrations, databases, and enhanced security are just a few features that a pro can implement.
  5. Time Savings: Hiring a professional allows you to focus on running your business while they handle the website project. Professional developers typically work faster and more efficiently than someone building a website for the first time, meaning your own business websites will be live quicker.

Curious about what’s involved in a fully customized, designer website? Take a look here.

Disadvantages of Hiring a Professional Developer

  1. Cost: The average cost of hiring a professional web designer can vary depending on the scope of your project. A custom website can range from a few thousand dollars for a basic brochure site to tens of thousands for an advanced e-commerce platform. Many designers charge by the hourly rate, and this can quickly add up depending on the complexity of your site.
  2. Ongoing Maintenance: A professional website will likely require ongoing maintenance, which could result in an additional cost. Even after the site is live, you may need to hire the designer for updates, security patches, or content changes, adding to the website cost.
  3. Less Immediate Control: When working with a designer, you may have less immediate control over the final result. The design process often requires back-and-forth communication and revisions. You may also need to schedule a discovery call to discuss the project’s details before the work begins.

Self-Hosted or Fully-Hosted? 

Ok, first, what in the crocs-with-socks is the difference? 

The difference between self-hosted and fully-hosted websites lies in how the website is managed. In a self-hosted website, you are responsible for purchasing a hosting plan, managing your own server, and handling tasks like maintenance, security, and backups. Popular platforms like WordPress.org allow for self-hosting. In contrast, a fully-hosted website is where the hosting, management, and technical tasks are handled by the platform itself (such as Wix or Squarespace), offering an all-in-one solution with less control but more convenience for the user.

The main difference in ownership between self-hosted and fully-hosted websites is control. With a self-hosted website, you own everything—domain, content, and data—and have full control over customization, hosting, and site management. You can download your site, save the content and decide what to do with it. In contrast, with a fully-hosted website (like Wix or Squarespace), the platform manages hosting and technical aspects, as well as your content, so you have less control over the site’s features and limitations. If you leave a fully-hosted platform, migrating your content can be difficult or impossible, as you don’t fully own the underlying infrastructure. You might be able to get bits and pieces, but if you’re a blogger and you want to migrate your site and it’s 1000 blog posts over to another server, all in-tact you will struggle my friend. 

Ultimately, whether you choose the DIY route or hire a professional web designer depends on your unique needs, goals, and budget. And additionally, you can hire a designer to help you design a fully-hosted site. We’ve done that before too! When we do take on clients that have an existing site with one of these platforms and their preference is to stay on the platform, there are advantages that make it a great choice. 

Overview – Should You Hire Someone to Build Your Website or DIY it?

When the DIY Option is a Good Idea

  • You have a small budget and want to minimize initial expenses.
  • The purpose of your website is straightforward, like a personal project, small business with limited products or simple informational site.
  • You have plenty of time to dedicate to learning the web builder tools.
  • You’re building your first website and want to experiment before committing to more professional help.

When Hiring a Professional Developer is the Best Option

  • You need a more advanced or e-commerce site with complex functionalities.
  • You want a well-designed website that will make a lasting first impression on potential customers.
  • You don’t have the technical expertise or time to create a site yourself.
  • You want an SEO-optimized, fully customizable solution that meets the unique needs of your business.
  • You want copy on your site that is engaging, helps convert and connect with your visitors.
  • You want to grow the blog portion of your site, with fresh content often and templates to make that a streamlined process
  • You want email marketing support, making sign ups and embed forms seamlessly integrated on your site. 

Final Thoughts

There’s no wrong answer when deciding whether to build your own website or hire a professional. Both approaches have their own advantages and trade-offs. If you’re working with a small budget and have plenty of time to invest, the DIY approach might be a great way to get started. However, if your site has specific needs or you need a truly polished, SEO-optimized website that converts visitors into customers, hiring a professional web designer may be the better choice in the long run.

Before making your final decision, take time to assess your budget constraints, technical skills, and the time you can devote to building and maintaining the site. A great website can be your most valuable digital asset, so it’s worth making the right decision from the start.

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ABOUT THIS POST

This post is written by Donata Delano – A Web Designer, Professional Artist and Architect based in Burlington, Canada. She specializing in visual communication and web design, creating branding solutions and websites that are thoughtful, unique and aesthetically pleasing.

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