Are you considering building a website for your small business? Deciding whether to tackle it yourself or hire a professional can be tricky. Some tasks are better left to experts, and you might have experienced this firsthand with past DIY projects.
Creating a website can be more complex than it appears. Fortunately, building a website on your own has become much easier with modern tools that don’t require coding knowledge. To help you make the best decision, ask yourself the following essential questions:
How Complicated Do You Want Your Website to Be?

This matters. For instance, if you only want a one-page website that includes your telephone number, email address, and business address, you can ultimately do this yourself.
There are many one-page templates and website builders to help you get started. However, if you want to incorporate advanced functionalities into your website, such as appointment scheduling, e-commerce, a support library, complex forms, and others, you might consider hiring a professional.
Is Time an Essential Factor?
Time can work both ways. If you are in a hurry and only require a one-page site, your best option might be to do it yourself. However, if you need a website with many features right away, you should consider paying a professional.
Having more time gives you the opportunity to take it slow and do it yourself, allowing you to create a more complex website without rushing. Alternatively, if you decide to hire a professional, having more time means you might pay less, as rushed projects tend to be more expensive.
How Much Is Your Budget?
Determine how much you are willing to spend on your website. There’s a misconception that building a website is costly. The truth is, it’s easier and cheaper to get your website online nowadays. Website builders can be inexpensive, while some platforms with advanced functionalities may cost more.
Even if you hire a professional, they might use templates to get started, which costs less than building from scratch. Depending on the level of customization and content, a professionally built website might cost around $5,000. This is a small investment for something vital to your business.
Are You Open to Learning?
Even if you hire a professional, they might use templates to get started, which costs less than building from scratch. Depending on the level of customization and content, a professionally built website might cost around $5,000. This is a small investment for something vital to your business.
How Important Is Your Website to Your Business?

In the modern world, every business must have a website. However, the complexity of your website will depend on your business type. If your objective is marketing and you don’t intend to sell products or services from it, building it yourself is fine.
Otherwise, if you need an effective website that serves as a conversion machine, hire a professional. Beginners often miss important things like 404 errors, slow loading times, certificates, security issues, and other vulnerabilities that can impact website performance. Remember to include an SSL certificate if you build your own website.
Are You a Picky Person?
If you get upset when things aren’t perfectly aligned, if the navigation isn’t smooth, or if the color isn’t exactly right, consider hiring a professional. This is crucial for perfectionists. Even great templates and website builders can be frustrating if you seek perfection. Templates might not be as flexible as you want, but with some knowledge of HTML and CSS, you can make them do what you want.
Should You Build Your Website or Hire a Professional?
With all of this in mind, ask yourself the important questions above to help you make the right decision for your business.
Consider the Long-Term Maintenance and Updates

Building a website isn’t a one-time task; it requires ongoing maintenance and updates to ensure it remains functional, secure, and relevant. Before deciding whether to DIY or hire a professional, consider the long-term commitment involved in maintaining your site.
Ongoing Maintenance
Websites need regular maintenance to keep them running smoothly. This includes updating plugins, themes, and the content management system (CMS) to the latest versions. These updates are crucial for security, as outdated software can make your website vulnerable to hacks and malware. If you build your website yourself, you must be prepared to handle these updates and troubleshoot any issues. This can be time-consuming, especially if you’re not familiar with the technical aspects.
Content Updates
As your business grows and evolves, your website content will need to change accordingly. This could involve adding new services, updating product information, or posting regular blog entries to keep your audience engaged.
A professional web designer can provide a content management system that makes these updates easier for you to handle. However, if you’re not comfortable making these changes yourself, you might need to hire someone to manage your site’s content regularly.
Technical Support

When issues arise, having access to technical support can save you a lot of headaches. If you hire a professional to build your website, they often offer ongoing support services. This can be incredibly valuable for resolving issues quickly and ensuring your website is always up and running. If you choose the DIY route, you’ll need to rely on online resources and forums for troubleshooting, which can be hit or miss.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
To ensure your website ranks well on search engines like Google, you’ll need to implement good SEO practices. This includes optimizing your website’s content, meta tags, and structure.
Professionals are well-versed in SEO and can build your website with these best practices in mind, helping you attract more organic traffic. While there are many resources available to learn SEO yourself, it can be complex and time-consuming, and mistakes can harm your website’s ranking.
Scalability and Future Growth
Your website should be able to grow with your business. A professional web designer can build a scalable website that can handle increased traffic, additional features, and expanding content. They can also provide insights into future trends and technologies that might benefit your website. DIY solutions might be sufficient initially, but they can become limiting as your business expands.
Design Consistency and Branding
Maintaining a consistent design and branding across all pages is crucial for a professional appearance. Web designers have the skills to create a cohesive look that aligns with your brand identity. They can ensure that every element of your website, from fonts and colors to images and layouts, reflects your brand accurately. If you’re not experienced in design, achieving this level of consistency can be challenging.
Why Should You Hire a Professional Web Designer?

Hiring a professional web designer can be an excellent option for your business. Your website serves as a marketing tool, so it makes sense to hire a web designer to keep it appealing and competitive. Working with a professional allows you to take advantage of their expertise and experience.
Although hiring a professional requires an investment, the potential success outweighs the upfront cost. The cost of creating a well-designed website varies depending on the features and functionalities included. Sometimes, monthly maintenance may be required. High-quality websites, although not cheap, look professional and work great.
The most important reason for hiring a professional is that it saves you time and stress. Aside from building your website quickly and effectively, the designer will also set up its features and functionalities. For instance, a contact form can help book appointments without needing telephone or email communication, making your business run more efficiently.
Additionally, hiring a professional allows you to customize your website to meet your specific needs and achieve your objectives. Your website will reflect your brand in the best possible way.
Agile Development can help build your website to meet your needs and achieve business success. For more information, visit us at Agile Development.