DIY vs. Professional Website Design: Which Is Right for You?
Your website is the first point of contact with potential customers.
And just like when meeting someone in real life for the first time, you want to make a good impression.
Websites that look good, are easy to navigate, and accessible to all users thrive in the digital landscape.
And in this day and age, it’s easy to tell which websites are living up to user expectations and which aren’t.
So, in an era where digital presence can make or break you, having the right website design is a must.
And all you need to do to achieve that is build it.
But which method is best?
Hiring a professional web designer or doing it yourself?
DIY Web Design
So, you’re thinking of tackling it on your own.
Well, you wouldn’t be the first or the last.
Building a website without the help of web developers is completely doable, and in fact, it even has a few pros.
A DIY web design project can be achieved through web builder tools such as WordPress, Shopify, Wix, and Squarespace, providing page and block templates or the option to custom build your own.
These web builder tools offer a cost-effective alternative to using professional web development services.
DIY Design Pros | DIY Design Cons |
Cost-Effective: Web building platforms are a cost-effective website development method, offering affordable monthly plans that include basic features and website hosting fees. | Lack of Optimisation: Not all DIY platforms are conversion rate optimisation (CRO) and search engine optimisation (SEO) friendly on their own, and there are many nuanced features for each needed. |
Control and Flexibility: Your design is completely up to you when you build it yourself. You control the layout, content, even updates and their frequency. | Limited Customisation Options: Though web design platforms such as Shopify and WordPress have a range of aesthetic and functional templates, they still have their limits. Having a certain look to align with branding or a certain functionality for user experience often requires coding skills or expensive third-party apps. |
Speed: DIY websites can be set up quickly, using standard templates and drag-and-drop functions. | Time-Consuming: While they may be able to be set up faster, building a website is a huge, time-consuming task that requires constant dedication. Even with templates, designing websites that are aesthetic and functional requires hours of work daily. |
Learning Experience: Building your own website is a great way to learn more about how websites work, why certain functions are important, and how to engage with potential customers online. This can help you make more informed decisions for your digital marketing strategy. | Lack of Support and Maintenance Burdens: When you build your own website, you’re solely responsible for it. While most platforms offer support, resources can be limited, and response times can be slower than when working with a web design agency directly. Plugin maintenance, site updates, and resolving unexpected issues can also be overwhelming to deal with if you have limited web design experience. |
Professional Web Design
Want someone to take care of all the hard work for you?
We can’t say we’d disagree with that line of thinking.
Leaving your website design to the professionals has a range of benefits, one of which is that you can continue to dedicate time to running your business rather than building website blocks.
By partnering with industry experts, your website will have hands-on knowledge and experience built into every feature.
Professional Web Design Pros | Professional Web Design Cons |
Optimisation: Professional web developers are skilled in both CRO and SEO tactics and methods. Both of which are important factors for how well your site ranks online and your user experience. | Higher Upfront Cost: As expected, a professionally designed and built website costs more than a monthly platform fee. While this is considered a worthwhile investment to many, it is something to seriously consider in terms of your budget. |
Intuitive Layouts: Web designers create layouts that effortlessly guide visitors to conversion. Using intuitive touchpoints and structure, designers ensure the right information and imagery are displayed at the right part of the buyer’s journey. | Longer Timeline: Custom website designs take time to complete. Web developers want to understand your brand, its goals, and your requirements to ensure a custom website that exceeds your expectations. The whole process, depending on the site requirements, can take several weeks or months. |
Ongoing Support: Web design agencies offer continuous support after site launch, undertaking regular maintenance checks, system updates, and support. | Less Immediate Control: Website changes and updates will primarily be made via the design agency you’ve chosen to build your site, unless you invest in website training or a retainer plan. |
Brand-Aligned Customisations: A professional web designer ensures that your brand voice and identity are seamlessly woven through all advanced customised features. | |
Future-Proof Build: The digital landscape is always changing. Professional web designers ensure your site is prepared for shifts in web trends, accessibility standards, and compliance requirements. |
So, How Do I Know Which Is Right for Me?
Essentially, the decision boils down to what’s right for your business.
Most people opt for DIY website builds if they have a small budget or don’t require advanced website functionality, such as online bookings or custom integrations.
DIY website design is a popular choice for those testing out an idea or side business, or just need to establish some form of online presence.
Simple to build and cost-effective, many startups or small businesses choose to create their own websites while budgets are tighter.
There’s always the opportunity to bring the professionals in at a later date for a refresh.
If your website is a core part of your marketing, sales, or brand presence, a professional web design will help you elevate your strategy and drive revenue.
Every site visitor is important.
Every click, every browse, could lead to a sale or conversion.
With CRO and SEO optimisations incorporated into a design by an industry professional, you’ll see a significant impact on growth and revenue.
Trust the Web Design Experts at BFJ Digital
As a full-service digital agency, we offer custom web design services to any business website or ecommerce store.
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your existing website or build a brand-new website, our web design Brisbane team are here to help.
Our team of Brisbane website designers combine creativity with strategy in order to build beautiful, responsive websites that drive conversions and sales.
We take the time to understand your business, its goals, and the industry, providing data-driven recommendations to unlock the full potential of your website.
For a Brisbane web designer you can trust with not only your site but your brand identity, get in touch with us today.
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