Around seven in 10 small businesses have a website. If you don’t have one for your company, you’re missing out on the opportunity to grow brand recognition, lead generation, and sales completions.
But the same source cites statistics suggesting that 38% of consumers will refrain from using a poorly designed website.
So, having a website for your small business isn’t nearly enough. It needs to be a site that consumers find useful, easy to navigate, and aesthetically pleasing.
Should you create one yourself or hire a professional? Here’s a look at the pros and cons of a DIY website versus a professionally designed website.
DIY Website
If you have basic HTML skills, you can create your own website. You can also use drag-and-drop platforms to create a website more easily.
Here’s a look at some of the pros and cons of going the DIY route:
Pro: The Price Is Right
If you’re operating your business on a shoestring budget, DIY web design might seem like an attractive option. You can do it for free or for a nominal cost depending on what features you want.
Con: It Might Not Look Professional
Remember that statistic above about how people treat poorly designed websites? You’ll want to ensure your site looks professional. Using drag-and-drop platforms can help. But the pros understand design best practices.
Pro: Get Up and Running Quickly
DIY web design can be done quickly. Using drag-and-drop tools means you can create an aesthetically pleasing website in no time. You won’t have to worry about programming since website creation will be a drag-and-drop affair.
Con: You Will Be Limited
When going with a free or a cheap DIY option, you’ll be limited in terms of what you can do. You’ll have limits on functionality and on themes, for instance. So, if you want full control, DIY web design might be frustrating.
Pro: Good Option if You Want Something Simple
Are you looking for a simple website with no bells and whistles? An automated website builder might be the option if you want a website that is basically an online business card.
Professional Website Designer
Hiring a professional web design company makes sense if you want a fully functional website that includes things like e-commerce capabilities.
Here’s a look at some of the pros and cons of hiring a pro to build your site:
Pro: You’ll Get a Professional-Looking Site
Hiring a professional web design company means you’ll get a professional-looking site. It will build name and brand recognition. The experts understand best practices in web design and will create an effective website.
Con: It’ll Cost You Something
While you can get reasonably priced websites designed, it’ll cost more than getting a DIY website. Depending on how complex your site is, you might end up paying hundreds or thousands of dollars.
Pro: You’ll Get Tech Support
When you hire a web design company, you’ll get tech support. If you have any problems with your website down the road, you’ll be able to call for help.
Con: You Might Be Tied to the Web Design Company
Some website designers ensure that you have to get in touch with them in order to make changes to your website. Do you want to be locked in? If not, find a website designer that will give you the freedom to make changes.
Pro: You Can Get Extra Help
A reputable web design company will help you maximize the success of your website. You’ll want help ranking better in search engine results, for instance. The company can tweak website design and help with SEO.
Check out the following link for more info. You’ll learn more about what it takes to create an effective website.
Which Option Works for You?
When you consider the pros and cons of a DIY website versus a professionally designed website, you’ll be able to choose which one works best for you.
If you want to sell products or services from your site, a professionally designed website makes sense. But if you want something basic, a DIY website might suffice.
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