Why DIY Site Builders are Bad
for Small Businesses
Having a well-designed website for your small business is very important for success in todays business environment. Unfortunately, many people think that it's something that they can build on their own. Only after making a low-quality website do they realize that they would have been better off leaving it to the professionals.
If you want to learn why building a DIY website may not be such a great idea for your small business, read on....
1. It’s Not as Easy as It Appears
There are many programs and platforms whose marketing suggests that building your website is an easy thing to do. They make promises that you can build your website in a day or less without technical knowledge. This is why so many people who do not know how to build a business website choose to take it upon themselves to build.
Unfortunately, only after investing in software and programs do people realize that it's not as easy to build a small business website as they thought it would be. They get stuck with a half-built website that they don't know how to finish.
2. There Are Always Hidden Fees
No matter what platform you use to build your DIY website, you're going to face hidden fees. One of the most frustrating things that people face when they're trying to design a business website on their own is the expenses that they don't realize they have to pay.
It's easy to get excited when you find a website platform that advertises itself as an all-in-one easy solution for building a business website. But many people don't realize until after buying a subscription that they also have to invest in things like domain names, hosting, and SSL certificates.
Many people also don’t realize they have to renew their subscriptions every year to keep their websites live. And if they need help with updates, the fees can be considerable.
These hidden costs add up. In the long run, it's more affordable for most businesses to have hired professional help to build their website.
3. You Get What You Pay For
Your business is not going to stand out from the competition if it doesn't have an effective brand. It's hard to have a brand that stands out on your business' website when you choose to build it on your own.
The reason for this is that most people who choose to build their website for their small business are not experienced designers. When you do this, it's nearly impossible to make sure that your brand website looks professional and stands out from the rest.
It’s also easy to fall for low prices. Sure, building a website might be slightly less expensive than hiring a professional, but you get what you pay for. Those low prices tend to come with basic features and capabilities that won’t deliver the results you need to grow your business online.
4. It’s Easy to Waste Time in Learning to Navigate New Platforms
Even if tools such as website builders make it easy to drag and drop your needed elements onto a digital canvas to construct elements of your site, there are still many important things that you need to know how to do.
For example, if you choose to build a website on WordPress by investing in a costly theme, you still have to know how to download and install the theme. You also need to know how to navigate the WordPress platform to install add-ons, such as spam blockers and contact forms.
You need the training to do these kinds of things. If you don't yet have the training, you'll have to spend your valuable time learning how to do them before you can even get started building your website.
5. You May Not Create the Right First Impression
Since it is your business' most important tool for advertising, you want to make sure that your website is the best that it can be. It's the place that your potential customers will find out about important things, such as your story, your services and products, and where you are located.
This is why, when it comes to your website, first impressions are more important than ever. Before they even navigate beyond the homepage of your website, they're going to form an opinion about your brand. And this is why it's essential that you grab their attention within the first couple of seconds that are on your website.
Professional website designers know exactly how to do this. On the other hand, those who choose to build their own websites will have to find out how to do this through trial and error. In the meantime, they'll probably lose many valuable leads.
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. What they don't realize is that this is only one of many important things that you need to know how to do if you want to build the best possible website.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is equally as important as the design of a website. Though there are website builders that claim to have SEO tools, these tools are usually very basic. They often do not offer the types of features that a small business needs.
Skilled professionals know how to write search-friendly content for the websites they are building. This will make sure that potential customers can find your business online.
7. You Won’t Have Support While Building a Small Business Website
Did you know that those who design their own websites spend less than a quarter of their time actually designing it - and more than three-quarters of their time troubleshooting problems that come up? Small business owners who decide to build their websites usually don't take this into account.
Only afterward, when it's too late, do they realize how difficult it is to find the support they need when technical issues arise. If you're building your website on your own, expect glitches. And be ready to spend seemingly endless hours trying to figure out how to fix the things that go wrong.
8. Your Site Won’t Be Optimized
Small businesses need websites that are secure and that have performance speeds that are fast enough to handle high traffic volume. One of the worst things that can happen to your website is that it crashes at a key moment when you need it the most.
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. Figuring out other important and often confusing issues, such as the details of SSL certificates, will also be necessary for a do-it-yourselfer.
9. Making Changes to or Updating a DIY Website Will Be Costly
Those who are trying to build their own website only realize afterwards how difficult it is to make changes to the site they've made. They make the mistake of thinking that they'll improve their site later by hiring a web designer. The problem is, most web designers will insist that you rebuild your site on the platform they use.
If they would have simply had their website designed by professionals from the start, it would have saved them lots of money.
10. Your Time Is Better Spent on Other Things
Chances are that you've got a long list of things that you need to accomplish every day when you show up for work. If you're a small business owner, you should be focusing your energy on growing your business.
If you decide to build your website, you will be distracted from the things that matter most to you and your business. If you're not trained as a web designer, why spend your time trying to be one?
11. The Pros Do It Better
A web designer who knows what they're doing can take the burden off your shoulders. You will have less to worry about when you put your trust in somebody who has many years of training and experience in building websites.
You'll also likely make more money in the long run because professionals know how to build a website that can convert visitors into paying customers.
If you’re interested in learning more about the advantages of hiring our web design firm, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We would love to help take your business to the next level!