How to Build a Website: Should You DIY or Hire a Pro?

As a small business owner, your website is often the first impression you make. Whether you're a contractor, wellness coach, retail shop, or creative entrepreneur, your website needs to look professional, load fast, and clearly explain who you are and what you do. All of this may have you thinking about how to build a website, and if it's something you're willing to tackle. With user-friendly platforms like Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress, it’s easier than ever to build your own site. But is that the best move for your brand — or should you hire a professional?

Let’s break down the pros and cons of DIY websites vs. professional web design so you can make the best decision for your business.

Why You Might DIY Your Website

DIY website builders have come a long way. With just a few clicks, you can choose a template, add your logo, and publish your site — all without touching code.

Benefits of DIY:

• Lower cost: Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify offer affordable monthly plans.

• Full control: You can change your text, photos, and layout anytime you want.

• Fast to launch: If you need a simple site quickly, you can get something live in a day or two.

But DIY isn’t always the best fit — especially if you want your website to stand out against competitors or perform well in search engines.

Potential downsides:

• Time-consuming: Building a site that actually looks professional and functions well can take hours (or days).

• Limited features: Free or low-cost templates may not have all the tools your business needs — especially if you want custom forms, online booking, or advanced SEO.

• Generic design: Many DIY sites end up looking the same, which can hurt your credibility.

• Hidden costs: Add-ons, premium templates, and plugins can increase your monthly expenses over time.

  
  

Why Hiring a Professional Might Be Worth It

Professional web designers do more than make your site look nice — they strategically build it to convert visitors into customers. When done well, your website becomes your best salesperson.

Benefits of hiring a pro:

• Custom design that matches your brand: Your website will look and feel like you, not like a template.

• Better SEO and performance: Pros know how to structure your site for speed, mobile, and visibility on Google.

• Built to grow with your business: Whether you need e-commerce, appointment scheduling, or content marketing, a custom site can scale with you.

• More credibility and trust: A well-designed website builds confidence in your professionalism, especially in competitive industries.

• Frees up your time: By outsourcing your website, you're now able to focus on your craft. This will increase productivity and sales.

Things to consider:

• Higher upfront cost: Expect to invest more than a DIY plan, especially for custom features.

• Longer timeline: Quality takes time. Most professional websites take 2–6 weeks from start to launch, depending on complexity.

  
  

Which Option Is Best for You?

Here’s a simple guide:

If you...	DIY Might Be Enough
Just starting out and need a simple online presence	✅
Have a limited budget or enjoy design and tech	✅
Need a highly customized site or e-commerce solution	❌
Want better SEO, speed, and conversion-focused design	❌
Don’t have time to figure it out on your own	❌

If your business is growing and you want a site that reflects your brand, performs well in search engines, and builds trust with your customers — hiring a pro may save you time, money, and stress in the long run.

Your website isn’t just a digital brochure — it’s a tool to attract and convert customers. Whether you DIY or hire a pro depends on your goals, budget, and how much time you’re willing to spend.

At Ben Gifford Media, we help small businesses across Upstate New York create clean, effective, mobile-ready websites — whether you’re ready to upgrade from DIY or need one built from scratch.

Looking for website help?

Let’s build a site that works as hard as you do. Contact us today for a free consultation.