Many entrepreneurs think DIY website design will save them time and money when launching a new business— but is that actually the case?
As a website designer, I’ve worked with countless clients who have considered DIY websites (or who are using one to operate their business), and my message to these clients is always the same: building your own website is risky at best.
I know, I know— you would expect a professional website designer to say that. But today I’m going to be explaining exactly why designing a website yourself is rarely the best option. There are many potential ramifications of DIY websites that can be devastating to businesses, especially when they’re in their early stages.
Let’s take a closer look at the factors to consider when deciding between a DIY website VS professionally designed website.
The Dangers of DIY Website Design
1. Losing Precious Productive Time
As an entrepreneur, your time is best spent focusing on the day-to-day operations of your business. Websites take a considerable amount of time to develop, design, optimize, and launch (if they are done correctly), which means you’ll be distracted from the revenue-generating aspects of your business. In fact, websites take between 2-4 months to complete on average.
Remember, to effectively execute a website you’ll need to:
Identify the functional objectives you want to achieve with your new site
Define the scope of your project (how many web pages, content topics, etc)
Develop a website wireframe that includes all required page elements, navigational systems, and structural components
Design your website from scratch using your chosen website builder
Draft SEO optimized content for each page of your website
Test your website before it goes live to catch any broken links or other issues
Plus you’ll need to review and tweak along the way.
I highly recommend reviewing your schedule before building your own website. If you don’t have the flexibility to accommodate these obligations, DIY website design likely isn’t for you.
2. Higher Bounce Rates
People know good web design when they see it. And even more importantly, they know bad design when they see it— and it impacts their buying decisions. One study found that 94 per cent of internet users will leave a website that has poor design and 75 per cent say poor web design makes a business seem less credible.
Ultimately, this means potential customers will leave your website before making a purchase or contacting you— completely negating the reason you created your website in the first place. Remember, if your bounce rate is 50 to 60 per cent, you’re losing nearly 42 per cent of your potential revenue! You want to aim for a bounce rate of 30 per or lower and the only way to achieve that is to invest in quality website design.
3. Poor Search Engine Performance
Do you know how to optimize your website for SEO and conversions? Do you know what a meta description is? Or breadcrumb navigation? Many business owners who choose DIY websites overlook the need for optimization, thinking that as long as their website looks nice, it will function the way they need it to.
This couldn’t be further from the truth. All great websites strike a perfect balance between flair and functionality, and if you fail to properly optimize your site you will struggle to generate traffic— no matter how visually appealing your design may be.
Don’t forget that the first five organic Google search results account for 67.6 per cent of all clicks. Your website needs to be optimized well if you want to outperform your competitors and generate revenue from your online presence.
4. Compromising Your Competitive Edge
This is one of the top reasons to hire a professional web designer. Your competitors are likely investing in their websites, since we know that 73 per cent of companies are investing in design to differentiate their brands.
The issue? There’s a strong chance your leading competitors aren’t designing their websites themselves. They’re working with trained and qualified professionals who can produce a modern and memorable result. For this reason, deciding to go with DIY website design would be a bad call for your business. After all, 94 per cent of first impressions are related to your website’s design— why risk your competitor making a better impression on your target audience?
5. Major Malfunctions
Did you know that 83 per cent of people expect websites to load in 3 seconds or less? Or that 70 per cent of failed online businesses go under because of bad website usability? These are just a couple of reasons why the functionality of your website is so essential.
When business owners rely on DIY websites, they often find themselves in trouble when an issue arises with their site. Whether it’s slow loading times, mobile incompatibility, or expired plugins— you need to know how to deal with back-end issues if you’re set on building your own website.
How I Can Help
If you’re still confused about the pros and cons of a DIY website vs professionally designed website, I’d be happy to discuss your options with you. At our web design agency in Edmonton, Together, we can determine which solution would best meet your needs and the needs of your business.
And don’t worry— there’s no obligation to commit to my services. My job is to help you move forward with clarity and confidence, even if that doesn’t involve working with me.
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