Why DIY Site Builders are Bad for Small Businesses
Are you thinking about building a website for your small business and are considering doing it yourself? While DIY website builders may seem like a quick and cost-effective solution, may business owners later realize that the end result lacks the quality and performance they need.
Unfortunately, it's often only after launching a poorly designed site that they realize they have been better off leaving it to the professionals.
If you're wondering why building a DIY website might hurt your small business, keep reading - we'll break down what you need to know.
1. It’s Not as Easy as It Appears
Many website builder platforms market themselves as quick and easy solutions, claiming you can create a professional-looking website in just a day - no technical skills required. These promises often appeal to small business owners, leading them to believe they can build an effective business website on their own.
Unfortunately, after investing in DIY website builders, they realize it's not as simple as it seems. They often end up with a half-finished website that they don't know how to finish.
2. There Are Always Hidden Fees
No matter which platform you choose for your DIY website, you're going to face hidden fees. One of the most common frustrations small business owners face when trying to build their own website is the unexpected expenses that surface during the process.
It's easy to get excited about a website platform that advertises itself as an all-in-one, easy solution for creating a business website. However, many don't realize until after subscribing that essential features like a custom domain name, website hosting, and SSL certificates often come at an additional cost.
On top of that, most platforms require annual renewals to keep your site online - and if you need help with updates or troubleshooting, the support fees are considerably high.
These hidden costs add up quickly. In the long run, it's actually more cost-effective to have hired a professional to build their website.
3. You Get What You Pay For
Your business won't stand out from the competition without a strong and effective brand. And that starts with a professionally designed website.
When you opt to build your website yourself, it's challenging to create a unique, branded online experience that sets you apart from the rest.
It’s also easy to fall for low prices. Sure, DIY website builders might seem like a more affordable option upfront, those low cost usually come with limited design, features, customization, and functionality - ultimately falling short in delivering the professional results needed to grow your business.
4. It’s Easy to Waste Time in Learning to Navigate New Platforms
Even though drag-and-drop website builders make it look easy to design a small business website, there's still a lot to know behind the scenes. It requires more than just placing elements on a digital canvas.
Take WorPress, for example. Even if you invest in a premium theme, you still need to know how to properly download, install, and configure it. On top of that, you need to know how to navigate the WordPress dashboard to install essential plug-ins - like spam blockers, contact forms, and performance boosters.
All of this requires technical knowledge and hands-on training. You'll need to invest your valuable time learning these skills before you can even begin creating your website.
5. You Won’t Create the Right First Impression
As your business' most important tool for advertising, you want to make sure that your website is the best that it can be. It's often the first place potential customers learn about your brand, story, services, products, and your location.
That's why first impressions matter more than ever in web design. Before they even navigate beyond the homepage of your website, they're going to form an opinion about your brand. And this is why capturing their attention within the first few seconds is critical in keeping them engaged and guiding them further into your site.
Professional website designers understand how to create high-impact, visually compelling websites. On the other hand, small business owners who take the DIY route often rely on trial and error - and risk losing valuable leads while trying to figure it out.
6. You Won’t Have Search Visibility
Most people who are trying to design a business website on their own think that the actual design of the website is all that matters. But the truth is, design is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to building a high-performing website.
Something equally important is the search engine optimization (SEO). Without SEO, even the best-looking website can go unnoticed in search engine results. While many DIY website builders promote built-in SEO tools, these features are often basic and very limited.
Skilled professionals understand how to write SEO-friendly content and structure your website correctly. These skills help your business rank higher on search engines and ensure your target audience can find you online.
7. You Won’t Have Support While Building a Small Business Website
Did you know that most people who design their websites spend less than 25% of their time on actual design - and over 75% troubleshooting unexpected issues? Small business owners who decide to build their websites don't take this into account.
Only afterward, when it's too late, do they realize how difficult it is to get reliable support when technical issues arise. If you're building your website on your own, be prepared to spend countless hours dealing with technical setbacks instead of focusing on growing your business.
8. Your Site Won’t Be Optimized
Small businesses need reliable websites that are both secure and fast enough to handle high traffic volumes. A slow-loading site - or worse, one that crashes during peak times - can drive away potential customers.
This is why professionals offer technical solutions to these problems by optimizing your website. By hiring a pro, you'll have peace of mind in knowing that your website will be dependable. You'll also avoid the confusion of handling technical requirements like SSL certificates.
9. The Site Will Be Costly to Make Changes To
Those who are trying to build their own website don't realize how challenging it is to make updates or improvements. They often assume that they'll improve their site later on by hiring a web designer. However, most web designers will recommend rebuilding the site entirely - especially if it was created on a limited or incompatible platform.
If they had simply had their website designed by professionals from the start, it would have saved valuable time and avoided costly mistakes.
10. Your Time Is Better Spent on Other Things
As a small business owner, you've got a long list of things that you need to accomplish every day, and focusing your energy on running and growing your business.
Taking on the challenge of building your own website can pull you away from what matters most. Unless you're a trained web designer, it's more efficient and effective to leave your website development to the professionals who can get it done right the first time.
11. The Pros Do It Better
A web designer can take the stress of website creation off your plate. By trusting a professional, you'll free up time and have the peace of mind knowing your site is in expert hands.
You'll also save money in the long run because professionals know how to build a website that drive conversions and turn visitors into paying customers.
Don’t Waste Time Building Your Own Website
If you're considering building a small business website on your own, keep in mind that it's often more complicated than it appears. From hidden costs to countless hours spent troubleshooting unexpected issues, the DIY route can quickly become overwhelming. Why not hire a professional to build your website instead?
Want to learn more about the benefits of working with our web design company? Get in touch with us today - we're here to help you!
Unfortunately, it's often only after launching a poorly designed site that they realize they have been better off leaving it to the professionals.
If you're wondering why building a DIY website might hurt your small business, keep reading - we'll break down what you need to know.
1. It’s Not as Easy as It Appears
Many website builder platforms market themselves as quick and easy solutions, claiming you can create a professional-looking website in just a day - no technical skills required. These promises often appeal to small business owners, leading them to believe they can build an effective business website on their own.
Unfortunately, after investing in DIY website builders, they realize it's not as simple as it seems. They often end up with a half-finished website that they don't know how to finish.
2. There Are Always Hidden Fees
No matter which platform you choose for your DIY website, you're going to face hidden fees. One of the most common frustrations small business owners face when trying to build their own website is the unexpected expenses that surface during the process.
It's easy to get excited about a website platform that advertises itself as an all-in-one, easy solution for creating a business website. However, many don't realize until after subscribing that essential features like a custom domain name, website hosting, and SSL certificates often come at an additional cost.
On top of that, most platforms require annual renewals to keep your site online - and if you need help with updates or troubleshooting, the support fees are considerably high.
These hidden costs add up quickly. In the long run, it's actually more cost-effective to have hired a professional to build their website.
3. You Get What You Pay For
Your business won't stand out from the competition without a strong and effective brand. And that starts with a professionally designed website.
When you opt to build your website yourself, it's challenging to create a unique, branded online experience that sets you apart from the rest.
It’s also easy to fall for low prices. Sure, DIY website builders might seem like a more affordable option upfront, those low cost usually come with limited design, features, customization, and functionality - ultimately falling short in delivering the professional results needed to grow your business.
4. It’s Easy to Waste Time in Learning to Navigate New Platforms
Even though drag-and-drop website builders make it look easy to design a small business website, there's still a lot to know behind the scenes. It requires more than just placing elements on a digital canvas.
Take WorPress, for example. Even if you invest in a premium theme, you still need to know how to properly download, install, and configure it. On top of that, you need to know how to navigate the WordPress dashboard to install essential plug-ins - like spam blockers, contact forms, and performance boosters.
All of this requires technical knowledge and hands-on training. You'll need to invest your valuable time learning these skills before you can even begin creating your website.
5. You Won’t Create the Right First Impression
As your business' most important tool for advertising, you want to make sure that your website is the best that it can be. It's often the first place potential customers learn about your brand, story, services, products, and your location.
That's why first impressions matter more than ever in web design. Before they even navigate beyond the homepage of your website, they're going to form an opinion about your brand. And this is why capturing their attention within the first few seconds is critical in keeping them engaged and guiding them further into your site.
Professional website designers understand how to create high-impact, visually compelling websites. On the other hand, small business owners who take the DIY route often rely on trial and error - and risk losing valuable leads while trying to figure it out.
6. You Won’t Have Search Visibility
Most people who are trying to design a business website on their own think that the actual design of the website is all that matters. But the truth is, design is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to building a high-performing website.
Something equally important is the search engine optimization (SEO). Without SEO, even the best-looking website can go unnoticed in search engine results. While many DIY website builders promote built-in SEO tools, these features are often basic and very limited.
Skilled professionals understand how to write SEO-friendly content and structure your website correctly. These skills help your business rank higher on search engines and ensure your target audience can find you online.
7. You Won’t Have Support While Building a Small Business Website
Did you know that most people who design their websites spend less than 25% of their time on actual design - and over 75% troubleshooting unexpected issues? Small business owners who decide to build their websites don't take this into account.
Only afterward, when it's too late, do they realize how difficult it is to get reliable support when technical issues arise. If you're building your website on your own, be prepared to spend countless hours dealing with technical setbacks instead of focusing on growing your business.
8. Your Site Won’t Be Optimized
Small businesses need reliable websites that are both secure and fast enough to handle high traffic volumes. A slow-loading site - or worse, one that crashes during peak times - can drive away potential customers.
This is why professionals offer technical solutions to these problems by optimizing your website. By hiring a pro, you'll have peace of mind in knowing that your website will be dependable. You'll also avoid the confusion of handling technical requirements like SSL certificates.
9. The Site Will Be Costly to Make Changes To
Those who are trying to build their own website don't realize how challenging it is to make updates or improvements. They often assume that they'll improve their site later on by hiring a web designer. However, most web designers will recommend rebuilding the site entirely - especially if it was created on a limited or incompatible platform.
If they had simply had their website designed by professionals from the start, it would have saved valuable time and avoided costly mistakes.
10. Your Time Is Better Spent on Other Things
As a small business owner, you've got a long list of things that you need to accomplish every day, and focusing your energy on running and growing your business.
Taking on the challenge of building your own website can pull you away from what matters most. Unless you're a trained web designer, it's more efficient and effective to leave your website development to the professionals who can get it done right the first time.
11. The Pros Do It Better
A web designer can take the stress of website creation off your plate. By trusting a professional, you'll free up time and have the peace of mind knowing your site is in expert hands.
You'll also save money in the long run because professionals know how to build a website that drive conversions and turn visitors into paying customers.
Don’t Waste Time Building Your Own Website
If you're considering building a small business website on your own, keep in mind that it's often more complicated than it appears. From hidden costs to countless hours spent troubleshooting unexpected issues, the DIY route can quickly become overwhelming. Why not hire a professional to build your website instead?
Want to learn more about the benefits of working with our web design company? Get in touch with us today - we're here to help you!