Did you DIY your website because you needed something done quick and fast to start generating revenue? I know of many business owners who have done that and while it might make sense in the short term, you should have a long-term goal of having the best website possible for your business. Keep reading to learn 8 reasons why you shouldn’t DIY your website.
On average, it takes someone .5 seconds to form an opinion about your website and therefore your business. That means the old saying of judging a book by its cover (or website, in this case) is, in fact, how most people make an impression of your business. That’s also why you shouldn’t leave your website design up to chance. It’s vitally important!
Here are 8 reasons why you shouldn’t DIY your website:
1) DIYing your Website Takes a Lot of Time
Let’s face it. We’re all busy. Between work, family, and life in general, most days are packed to the brim with activities and errands and work tasks that you need to cross off your to do list. As a business owner, your time might just be your most important resource. But the best part about being a business owner is that you are your own boss and you can decide where and how you spend your time.
My advice: Stay in your zone of genius. If your expertise lies in bookkeeping, focus on that. If you create sellable art in your business, hone in on that and spend your time doing that instead of trying to learn something out of your sphere. Trying to DIY your website can take up a lot more time than you think it will and that’s wasted time in your business when you could spend that time more efficiently in your zone of genius.
Instead consider hiring a website designer to handle it for you so you can stay focused on growing your business. Plus, you’ll come out with a great website to show off as well!
2) Ever Heard of Analysis Paralysis?
Let’s say you did learn to build your own website and you understand how to design it in WordPress or Squarespace now. That’s impressive, but unfortunately building a website isn’t just about the technology. It’s also about a vision. We’re sure you have lots of ideas for your business, but do you know exactly how you want your website to look AND how to get there?
Many business owners who DIY their websites end up with a case of analysis paralysis. There are so many options, so many choices, and so many decisions to make. I’ve heard from a lot of people who have tried to DIY their websites that they end up in an inescapable limbo because they can’t decide what to do next aka analysis paralysis.
A professional website designer has the experience to help you figure out those questions. They can transform your ideas into a beautiful looking website. Having someone guide you through the process and steer your website in the right direction prevents you from getting stuck and wasting time getting your website launched.
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3) Do Know the Elements Every Website Needs?
If you shrugged a little at that question, you might not want to try to DIY your website. A good website needs to include all the necessary elements that will convert your potential customer into a client. And if you don’t? It could be a big oopsie in your business. In fact, 88% of online customers are less likely to return to a site after a bad experience so it’s important that you get the design right!
There are a lot of things to consider and integrate into a well-formed website design and a professional knows them all. Just to give you an idea of some of the things every website needs:
- Clear and attractive design
- SEO optimization
- Easily navigable menus
- Speedy loading times
- Mobile-friendly design
- Email opt-in to build your email list
- And so much more!!
You want your website to do all the work for you, so you can sit back and watch your customers come to you. If your website is missing essential elements, is slow or just not very professional, it’s going to be a lot more work to get those customers in the door.
4) Knowing the Psychology behind Website Design
If you’ve never built a website before, it might surprise you that there is real science behind website design. Did you know that 75% of users admit to making judgments about a company’s credibility based on their website’s design according to a web credibility research from Stanford? That means that your website has to be professional, eye-catching, and well-designed to make sure that first impression of your business is a good one.
Good website design isn’t just about technology and vision, but also about usability and the experience. You need to craft your website with intention and trying to DIY your website sometimes doesn’t incorporate this fundamental.
5) Website Safety
A well-built website should almost be like a secured fortress to protect your business. You don’t want your website to get hacked or infected with malware, right? But do you know what to do to protect your website? Google searching can only tell you so much. Without the right protection and backup systems in place, you could lose all of your hard work in an instant and you’d have to start from scratch again.
A good website developer will make sure your website is protected and your data is safe at delivery. They’ll install the right plugins, set regular back-ups and everything else your website needs to be protected. However, these protections get outdated when new updates come along. Therefore, it’s good to keep a web developer on retainer to keep your website and plugins updated and your website completely safe.
6) Having Family or Friends Build your Website
I’m sure that your uncle could build you a sick website. However, in my experience, you never quite get what you’re looking for when you ask a favor from a family member or friend when it comes to your business.
I’ve had many clients tell us about a previous version of their website that a friend or family member helped with that didn’t come up to snuff so they had to redo everything. It can be a budget-friendly option, sure, but why waste the time and effort when you could have a professional design it instead of trying to DIY your website.
7) Budget
Building your own website (or having a friend do it), might look cheaper in the short term, but as a business owner, try to think about your long term goals for your company. Hiring a professional website designer is an investment, but considering the importance of your business’s online presence, your website could mean a huge difference to your bottom line.
With a professional website designer, you’ll get your website quicker than if you’re learning yourself, which means you can launch earlier. It also means that you’re saving yourself so much time and as we all know, time is money! You can now spend all that time doing what you’re good at to make your business a success. And you’ll have a fully optimized website that you can be proud to share and that will work for you.
8) You Don’t Have to Do Everything Yourself
Here’s a nugget of business wisdom that I think all business owners need to hear from time to time: It’s completely okay to ask for help and to outsource some of those tasks you’re not good at.
I repeat: You don’t have to do everything yourself.
Oftentimes, solopreneurs and small business owners try to tackle a mountain of a to do list and hustle through the daily business tasks on your list. But you don’t have to do everything alone, especially when it comes to trying to DIY your website. A website designer can knock out a great website for you, compared to what you could build on your own. You wouldn’t ask a painter to fix your computer, right?
In the end, it’s completely up to you who gets to build your website, whether it’s you, someone you know or a website designer. Remember that every business needs a website that works for you, not against you.
Ready to talk about getting a professional website design for your business? Contact us today! Our team can help you get your biz off the ground and help you create a great online presence! Click here to learn more about our website design packages or contact us to schedule a free consultation.