The Question Everyone Asks
"Should I just build it myself?"
I hear this question constantly. And honestly? It's a smart question to ask. Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com have made it possible for anyone to create a website without touching a line of code.
But "possible" and "advisable" aren't the same thing.
The right answer depends on your specific situation—your budget, your time, your skills, and what you're trying to accomplish. Let me give you an honest breakdown of both paths so you can make the decision that's actually right for your business.
The DIY Path: What It Really Looks Like
The promise: Pay $12-40/month for a website builder, pick a template, drag and drop your content, and launch a professional website in a weekend.
The reality: It's more complicated than the ads suggest, but it can work for certain situations.
What DIY Gets Right
Lower upfront cost. You're looking at $150-500/year for the platform, domain, and maybe a premium template. Compare that to $2,000-5,000+ for professional design.
Complete control of your timeline. No waiting for a designer's availability. No back-and-forth on revisions. You can launch whenever you're ready.
Easy updates. Once you learn the platform, making changes is straightforward. New hours? Updated prices? You can handle it in minutes.
Good enough for some businesses. If your website is primarily a digital business card—basic info, contact details, maybe a few photos—DIY can absolutely work.
What DIY Gets Wrong
Time investment is real. That "weekend project" often becomes weeks of frustration. Learning the platform, choosing the right template, figuring out why that image won't align properly, wrestling with mobile layouts...
I've talked to business owners who spent 40+ hours on their DIY site. At even $50/hour for your time, that's $2,000 in labor—except you still don't have a professional result.
Template limitations show. Templates work great until you need something slightly different. Then you're fighting the system, trying to hack CSS you don't understand, or settling for "close enough."
Design skills matter more than you think. The tools are easy. Making things look good is hard. Choosing complementary colors, creating visual hierarchy, writing compelling copy, optimizing for conversions—these are skills that take years to develop.
SEO and performance suffer. Website builders prioritize ease of use over optimization. Page speed, proper heading structure, schema markup, image optimization—these technical details significantly impact your search rankings.
You're responsible for everything. Something breaks at 10 PM on a Sunday? That's your problem. Security issue? Your problem. Platform update messes up your layout? Also your problem.
DIY Works Best When:
- Your budget is genuinely limited (under $1,500 available)
- You enjoy learning new tools and have patience for troubleshooting
- Your website needs are simple (under 5 pages, no complex features)
- Your business doesn't heavily depend on web leads
- You have decent design sensibility and writing skills
- You're okay with "good enough" rather than "great"
The Professional Path: What You're Actually Paying For
The promise: Hand over your content and requirements, and receive a polished, effective website that represents your business professionally.
The reality: When you find the right designer, that's exactly what happens. But you're paying for more than just a pretty website.
What a Professional Brings
Strategy, not just design. A good designer asks about your business goals before discussing colors. They think about user journeys, conversion paths, and how to turn visitors into customers.
Technical expertise. Proper site architecture. Fast loading speeds. Mobile optimization. SEO foundations. Security best practices. Accessibility compliance. These invisible details dramatically impact performance.
Design that works. Not just design that looks nice—design that guides visitors, builds trust, and encourages action. There's a science to effective web design that goes far beyond aesthetics.
Time back in your day. While you're running your business, someone else is handling the website project. The hours you would have spent learning Squarespace can go toward what you're actually good at.
Problem-solving. Need a booking system? Custom contact form? Integration with your CRM? Professionals know how to make things work together.
Ongoing support. When something breaks or needs updating, you have someone to call. That peace of mind has real value.
What Professional Design Costs
Let's be transparent about numbers:
Budget tier ($1,500-2,500): Typically a template-based design with customization. Good for simple sites. Limited custom features.
Mid-range ($2,500-5,000): Custom design, more pages, better optimization, possibly some custom functionality. Where most small businesses land.
Premium ($5,000-15,000+): Fully custom design, complex features, extensive strategy work, premium support. For businesses where the website is a primary revenue driver.
These prices reflect the value delivered, not arbitrary markups. A professional invests 40-80+ hours in a typical project. They bring years of accumulated expertise. And they're responsible for delivering results.
Professional Design Works Best When:
- Your website is a primary source of leads or revenue
- You value your time and prefer to focus on your business
- You want a site that stands out from competitors
- You need custom features or integrations
- You don't have design or technical skills
- Professional image matters in your industry
- You want ongoing support and partnership
The Honest Comparison
Let me break this down practically:
If you have more time than money: DIY makes sense. You'll invest significant hours, but you'll keep costs low and learn something in the process.
If you have more money than time: Professional design makes sense. Your hours are better spent on billable work or business development.
If your website is just a formality: DIY is probably fine. Some businesses genuinely just need a basic online presence.
If your website needs to generate business: Professional design typically delivers better ROI. The investment pays for itself through increased leads and conversions.
The Hidden Third Option
There's a middle path worth considering: professional design on a DIY platform.
Some designers work within Squarespace, WordPress, or similar platforms. You get professional design and strategy, but the site lives on an easy-to-update platform.
Pros:
- Professional results
- Lower cost than fully custom builds
- Easier to update yourself after launch
- Lower ongoing maintenance costs
Cons:
- Still limited by platform capabilities
- Ongoing platform fees
- May not be suitable for complex needs
This option often hits the sweet spot for small businesses—professional quality at a more accessible price point.
Making Your Decision
Here's a simple framework:
Choose DIY if:
- You answer "yes" to most of the DIY criteria above
- You're genuinely excited (not dreading) the project
- You have realistic expectations about the result
Choose professional if:
- Your website directly impacts revenue
- Your time is better spent elsewhere
- You want results, not a learning experience
Consider the hybrid approach if:
- You want professional design but need to manage budgets
- You plan to handle ongoing updates yourself
- Your needs fit within platform limitations
One More Thing
Whatever you choose, make a decision and move forward. I've seen too many business owners spend months researching, comparing platforms, and second-guessing—while their competitors have working websites generating leads.
An imperfect website that exists beats a perfect website that never launches.
If you're leaning toward professional help but unsure where to start, let's have a conversation. No pressure, no sales pitch—just an honest assessment of whether working together makes sense for your situation.
Ready to discuss your options? [Let's talk →](/contact)