Especially when starting out, many small business owners consider building their own websites. With platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress at your fingertips, it’s tempting to give it a go and maybe save some cash in the process. It’s a good option for someone who is willing to invest the time. But there are some pitfalls to be mindful of. Let’s take a look at the DIY website landscape.
The Appeal of DIY Website Builders
- Ease of Use: First off, platforms like Wix and Squarespace are relatively user-friendly. They’re designed for folks who aren’t necessarily tech wizards but still want a nice looking online presence. Drag and drop editors, pre-made templates, you name it—they make web design easier. And then there’s WordPress. It’s a bit more complex, with a steeper learning curve, but it offers more flexibility once you get the hang of it.
- Cost: If we’re talking costs, DIY platforms can definitely be wallet-friendly. You’re not paying for a designer or a coder, which can often be the most expensive parts of building a website. You just handle the monthly or annual hosting fees, and that’s usually a lot less than a full-blown custom design project.
Potential Pitfalls of Going It Alone
Ease of use and cost savings are huge motivators. But hidden below the surface can lurk hidden costs and reduced website performance. It’s important to factor these in before making your decision one building your own website versus working with a professional designer.
As a bit of an aside, the term ‘professional’ is important. Many of us have friends and family members who are willing to help out with building a website. Again, this can be welcomed help. But without in-depth knowledge and experience, the following pitfalls can still apply.
- SEO Limitations: Here’s where things start to get a bit tricky. SEO, or search engine optimization, can be a challenge with DIY sites. Sure, platforms like Squarespace and WordPress offer SEO tools, but they can be both limiting and difficult to use. What’s more, SEO is more than just meta tags and descriptions. Following web standards for page hierarchy, using keywords correctly, and creating engaging content are all part of the picture. DIY website builders try to make things easier, but that often comes at the expense of meeting technical requirements. This can leave your site struggling to climb the ranks in searches.
- Design and Feature Limitations: Even though the templates from Wix and Squarespace look slick, they can be limiting. You might not be able to get the exact layout or feature you want, which can be a bummer if you’re aiming for a unique brand identity. And while WordPress offers more flexibility, you’ll need some coding knowledge to truly capitalize on its potential.
- Time Investment: Let’s not underestimate the time commitment here. Learning how to use the platform, keeping the site updated, troubleshooting any issues—it all adds up. And for many business owners, time is money.
- Scalability and Flexibility Issues: What works for a small startup might not hold up as your business grows. You might find yourself needing more sophisticated sales tools or a more robust customer management system, and transitioning a DIY site to meet those needs can be a headache.
- Security Concerns: Security is another big issue, especially with WordPress. If you’re not regularly updating plugins and themes, your site could be vulnerable to attacks. Wix and Squarespace handle security at the platform level, but it’s still something to keep in mind.
- Accessibility Concerns: Making your site accessible to all users, including those with disabilities, can be overlooked if you’re not familiar with web accessibility standards. This isn’t just a nice-to-have; in many places, it’s a legal requirement. Poor accessibility can even reduce your search page ranking.
Taken all together, the hidden costs and disadvantages of building your own website start to significantly undermine the advantages. Building your own website using a DIY platform can be a great choice if you’re just starting out or if you have simple needs. But as your business grows and your needs become more complex, you might find the limitations holding back your business.
If you’re still not sure if you should build your own website or not, drop us a line. We can review your unique situation and offer our best advice.