To DIY or not to DIY: Should I build my own website or pay someone?
Key takeaways:
- Building a website is an investment, not just an expense.
- SEO, performance, and security are important for website success.
- The best approach depends on your individual needs and priorities.
A website is a necessity for businesses nowadays, since more than 8.5 billion Google searches happen every single day. But with so many ways to make one, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. On top of that, you’ll have to ask yourself if you’d go DIY or hire a professional.
The path you’ll take depends on your specific needs and priorities. With this article, you’ll have an overview of both options, know who they’re best suited for, and ignore common misconceptions. After reading, you’ll be more informed when choosing between the two.
DIY vs. hiring a web designer: A quick overview
| Factor | DIY | Hiring a professional |
| Cost | Cheaper upfront, but may require additional costs for plugins, premium templates, etc. | More expensive upfront, but includes expertise and may offer ongoing support |
| Time investment | Requires more time and effort | Faster turnaround time |
| Customization | Limited customization options depending on the website builder or content management system (CMS) | Full customization to match your specific needs and branding |
| SEO and performance | Requires knowledge and effort to optimize for search engines and site speed | Professionals handle search engine optimization (SEO) and performance enhancement to ensure your website ranks well and loads quickly |
| Maintenance and support | You are responsible for ongoing maintenance and updates | Professionals may offer maintenance and support packages to keep your website secure and up to date |
The table shows key differences in website creation between cost, control, and features. DIY is a more cost-friendly, appropriate option for owners with limited budgets and looking to participate in the process. Depending on your skill level, it may limit you and cost you time.
Conversely, professional services are more efficient but need more funding. Knowing your priorities in this trade-off can help you pick the right path for your website.
Who should DIY?
DIY website builders offer a compelling solution for those with specific needs and priorities. DIY website builders are best for the following users/situations:
- Small businesses or freelancers on a limited budget. If you’re just starting and need to keep costs down, creating a custom website personally is a good choice.
- Simple websites. DIY can be a good fit if you need a basic site with a few pages (portfolio, blog, or small online store).
- Those comfortable with technology. If you’re tech-savvy and enjoy learning new tools, you’ll likely find DIY website builders user-friendly.
DIY website builders offer an accessible, cost-effective solution for individuals and businesses with specific needs. It’s important to recognize that DIY isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, especially when you don’t have enough time or skills to make your own new website.
Who should hire a professional?
While DIY website builders cater to specific needs, there are situations where professional expertise is more applicable. Hiring a professional web developer is best for the following:
- Businesses needing complex or scalable websites. If you need a website with advanced features that can grow with your business, a professional can ensure it’s built correctly from the start.
- Those with limited technical skills or time. If you’re uncomfortable with technology or don’t have the time to build your own website, hiring a professional will save you time.
- Prioritizing branding, SEO, and long-term growth. If you want a website that reflects your brand and ranks well in search results, a professional can bring expertise and experience to help you.
With a professional web designer, you can build a solid online presence and unlock your website’s full potential. However, cost remains a significant factor in this decision.
Cost estimate: DIY vs. hiring a web designer
Note: The costs for domain name, hosting, website builder or content management systems, plugins and add-ons, custom-built websites, and ongoing maintenance indicated below are just estimates and should not be treated as professional advice.
Choosing how to build your website will impact your business’s online success. To help you decide, you have to understand the cost for building one.
DIY cost estimate
DIY website builders often advertise their affordability, but it’s essential to consider all potential costs involved.
- Domain name. $10-$20/year
- Hosting. $5-$20/month
- Website builder or content management systems (CMS). Free to $30/month
- Plugins & add-ons. $0-$100 one-time or monthly
Professional web design cost estimate
A professional web designer involves more upfront investment, so it’s important to understand why it costs this much.
- Custom-built website. $1,500-$10,000+
- Ongoing maintenance. $50-$200/month
- Ongoing maintenance. $50-$200/month
SEO, performance, and security
If you’ve ever decided to go DIY and build your own website, it’s easy to get caught up with the design and content creation. However, many website owners overlook aspects like performance, security, and SEO, especially Google’s mobile-first indexing. Here are reasons why you should also prioritize them when going for DIY:
Performance
- Affects user experience and how quickly your website loads.
- Slow loading times mean higher bounce rates and fewer customers.
Security
- Protects your website and user data from cyberattacks.
- Requires regular updates, strong passwords, and security measures like SSL certificates.
SEO
- Ensures your website ranks high in organic search results.
- Requires keyword research, content optimization, technical setup, and ongoing monitoring.
These elements are less glamorous than choosing the right colors or fonts, but they are important for your website’s health. Ignoring them can lead to poor search engine rankings, slow loading times, and more risk for cyberattacks.
You’ll have fewer visitors, leads, and goals reached.
DIY SEO tips
Attracting organic traffic doesn’t have to be stressful, even when building your own website. Here are some DIY SEO tips to optimize your website:
- Choose a fast-hosting provider. Your hosting provider can significantly impact your website’s loading speed, which is a key SEO factor. Choose a provider with fast servers and reliable uptime.
- Optimize images and site speed. Large image files can slow down your website. Compress images and use appropriate file formats to improve loading times.
- Use website builders with SEO tools. Choose a builder with customizable meta descriptions, title tags, and mobile responsiveness. Some builders, like Domain.com’s website builder, have features that simplify website optimization for search engines.
- Use Google’s free tools. These free tools include the following.
- Google Keyword Planner – for researching relevant keywords
- Google Analytics – tracks website traffic and user behavior
- Google Search Console – monitors your website’s performance in search results
- Google Trends – identifies trending topics and keywords
- Explore other SEO tools. Consider using Squirrly SEO for an all-in-one SEO suite or SE Ranking for website auditing and competitor analysis. They’re budget-friendly alternatives to Ahrefs and SEMrush.
Professional SEO benefits
On the other hand, partnering with a professional offers several advantages, such as the following:
- Custom SEO strategies for your business goals. A website developer with SEO expertise will incorporate best practices from the initial design and development stages. This ensures your website is optimized for search engines from the ground up.
- Technical optimizations to improve performance and search engine visibility. Website developers know how to optimize your website’s code, structure, and content for maximum search engine visibility.
- Ongoing monitoring and updates to maintain high rankings. Developers can ensure your website loads quickly and provides a positive user experience, while SEO analysts ensure it adapts to algorithm updates and industry trends.
Common misconceptions (and the reality)
When considering whether to build your own website or hire a professional, it’s important to separate fact from fiction. Several misconceptions, including the following, often cloud the decision-making process:
- “DIY websites look unprofessional.” This is not necessarily true. With well-designed templates and careful customization, making your own small business website can look just as professional as those built by a professional.
- “Hiring a website designer is too expensive.” Web development costs vary greatly depending on the project scope and the designer’s experience. However, hiring a professional is an investment in your business’s online presence that can lead to more leads and sales.
- “Once my site is built, I don’t have to touch it.” Websites need constant maintenance and updates to ensure security and optimal performance. You’ll need to update content, plugins, and software regularly.
Make a DIY website easier with Domain.com
Building a website can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. By considering the factors we covered, you can decide if you should go DIY or ask for a professional’s help. The DIY approach will give you more control and budget space but demands time and effort. On the other hand, hiring a professional is more efficient but comes at a higher price.
If you’re leaning towards DIY, Domain.com offers an easy-to-use website builder with various templates and features. But if you prefer to leave it to the experts, Domain.com also offers professional website design services. We handle everything from design and development to SEO and performance optimization so you can focus on running your business.
