As recently as a few years ago, there wasn’t much question about whether business owners should design their own websites. Most didn’t have the tools or expertise for the job, not to mention the available time. So, if they wanted to launch or improve a web presence, they had to seek out a designer who could help.
In the last couple of years, however, DIY website services – including a number of online template companies – have made it possible and affordable for entrepreneurs to design their own websites. Naturally, we field a lot of questions from business owners who want to know whether they should pursue these options.
As with most things, there are advantages and disadvantages to consider. Let’s take a closer look…
The Case for Using Self-Directed Web Design Tools
There are a few reasons you might want to consider designing your own website. The biggest has to do with cost. Although professional web design can be very affordable, entrepreneurs with small or nonexistent budgets can get by with a template website built for a few dollars a month.
Moving beyond that, there are times when it can be faster to create a one or two-page website on your own rather than hiring a designer. And, since no one knows your business as well as you do, you might have a sense of exactly what you need in terms of layouts, images, and content.
When you consider all of that, it makes sense for some new startups to take advantage of DIY web templates.
Why You Might Not Want to Design Your Own Website
Looking at the other side of things, most established businesses won’t actually save time or money by using a DIY web template service. That’s because the templates themselves are very limiting, making it hard to establish a brand or attract search engine visits. What’s the point of having a new website if your business won’t grow as a result?
Another factor is that an established company will likely need a larger and more comprehensive website. That means more time adjusting layouts, configuring tools, and looking for customization options that may not exist in the first place. And, even if a business can shoehorn everything they need into an existing web template, they are left with a site that looks just like the ones their competitors have.
Factor those disadvantages together and you’ll find that web templates are usually a bad choice for companies that aren’t brand-new.
The Bottom Line on DIY Business Web Design
As with everything in the world of marketing, DIY web templates are all about trade-offs. If you can’t afford professional web design then using a template service is better than going without a website or turning to an unknown overseas freelancer who may or may not finish the job. But, if you’re looking to grow your company and impress customers, there aren’t any good substitutes for hiring a professional.
That means most business owners should be looking to work with a reputable web design company. Luckily, that doesn’t have to mean splashing big bucks…
Get the Best Value in Small Business Web Design
Biondo Creative has been named as an award-winning web designer and digital marketing agency for one simple reason: we help our clients to achieve big results on reasonable budgets. The business owners who work with us don’t have to worry about choosing between price and service because we give them the best of both worlds. With a small committed team, low overhead, and a track record of stellar results, we can give you the solution you’re looking for.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about what we can do for you!