Small Business Website: DIY or Hire a Designer?
One of the first decisions when creating a small business website is whether to build it yourself or pay a professional to do it for you.
There is no single right answer. The best option depends on your budget, the type of website you need, how much time you can give the project and how confident you feel making decisions about content, structure and design.
A simple DIY website can work very well for many small businesses. But there are also situations where professional support is worth the investment.
This guide will help you decide which route is most realistic for your business.
When building your own website can work well
A DIY website is often a sensible option when the site is relatively straightforward.
For example, you may only need:
a homepage
information about your services
an About page
contact or booking details
a small number of products
a blog or advice section
Modern website builders make it possible to create this type of site without coding. They provide templates, page layouts and tools for adding text, images, forms and buttons.
Building it yourself may be a good fit if:
your budget is limited
your services are easy to explain
you are willing to learn the basics of the platform
you can set aside focused time to complete the project
you are comfortable making decisions without constant reassurance
you want to update the site yourself after launch
DIY does not mean the website has to look amateur. A clear, focused website with useful information can be more effective than an elaborate site that leaves visitors confused.
Related article: How to build a small business website
What a website builder will not do for you
The software can help you assemble the website, but it cannot make the important business decisions on your behalf.
It will not automatically decide:
what pages you need
what information belongs on each page
which services should be given priority
how to explain what makes your business different
what visitors should do next
which content is essential and which can be removed
This is often where DIY website projects become difficult.
The technical task of adding a section or changing a colour may be straightforward. Deciding what that section should say, why it belongs there and how it supports the rest of the website usually requires more thought.
A template is a starting point, not a strategy.
When hiring a web designer may be the better choice
Professional support is more likely to be worthwhile when the website is complex or commercially important.
Consider hiring a designer or developer if you need:
advanced booking or membership functions
complicated ecommerce
custom integrations
unusual technical features
a large number of pages
bespoke design or animation
specialist accessibility support
a site that needs to serve several very different audiences
It may also be the right choice if you do not have the time or confidence to complete the project yourself.
A half-finished website can sit untouched for months. If the site is essential to launching the business or generating enquiries, paying for help may be more economical than repeatedly postponing it.
However, hiring a professional does not remove your involvement entirely. You will still need to provide information about the business, explain your services, supply feedback and approve the content.
Be clear about what is included
“Web designer” can mean different things.
Some professionals focus mainly on visual design. Others also provide strategy, copywriting, search engine optimisation, photography or technical development.
Before appointing anyone, clarify:
who will write the copy
how many pages are included
whether images are supplied by you or them
how many rounds of feedback and changes are allowed
what happens after launch
whether you will be able to update the site yourself
who pays hosting and software costs
The right level of support should match the actual needs of your business. You may not need a large, fully bespoke project for a simple brochure-style website.
Planning to build the website yourself?
The Small Business Website Kit helps you work through the decisions that a website builder cannot make for you, so you can approach the project with a clearer structure and plan.
You do not have to choose between two extremes
The choice is not always between doing everything yourself and paying someone to manage the entire project.
You could build the website yourself but pay for specialist support with one area, such as:
photography
copywriting
search engine optimisation
a technical setup
a website review before launch
This can be a practical compromise if you are comfortable using the platform but need help with a specific part of the project.
Questions to ask before deciding
Before choosing a route, consider the following.
How complicated is the website?
A small brochure-style website is much more realistic as a DIY project than a large shop, directory or membership site.
How valuable is your time?
Building a website yourself saves money, but it still has a cost. Think realistically about the time required to plan, write, build, review and test it.
Are you confidnent in making decisions?
DIY works best when you are willing to choose a direction and move forward. Constantly changing templates, colours and page layouts can make the project take far longer than necessary.
Do you need the website urgently?
If the website is delaying the launch of the business or preventing customers from finding you, professional help may be justified.
Will you maintain it afterwards?
A website needs occasional updates. Whichever route you choose, make sure you understand how changes will be made after launch.
So, should you build it yourself?
Building your own website can be a good option when the site is simple, your budget is limited and you are prepared to plan the content carefully.
Hiring a professional is more appropriate when the website is technically complicated, central to a major launch or beyond the time and skills you can realistically commit.
The important thing is not to choose DIY simply because it appears free, or professional support simply because it feels safer.
Choose the option that gives you the best chance of completing a clear, useful website that supports the business.
Your next step
If you have decided that a DIY website is realistic, begin with the planning rather than the template.
The Small Business Website Kit includes seven practical PDF guides and tools to help you plan the site structure, develop your homepage and services content, make sensible design decisions, cover essential SEO and prepare for launch.
Not ready for the full kit? Use the free checklist to work through the first decisions before you start.