The Importance of Hiring a Reputable Website Design Company vs DIY for Business Owners

Nat Lopez • Jan 09, 2024

In the digital age, having a well-designed website is crucial for any business. It's your online storefront, your brand ambassador, and your salesperson working around the clock. As a business owner, you might be mulling over whether to take on the task of designing your website yourself (DIY) or hiring a reputable website design company. Here are some key reasons why hiring a professional can be a game-changing decision for your business.

Expertise and Experience: The Advantage of Hiring a Web Design Professional

Web design is a multifaceted discipline that requires expertise in several different areas:


  • Graphic Design: This involves designing the visual aesthetic of your site. It includes creating attractive layouts, selecting harmonious color schemes, and choosing appropriate fonts and images.
  • UX/UI Design: User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design focus on the usability of your site. This includes designing intuitive navigation systems, making sure your site is easy to use, and creating a satisfying journey for your users.
  • Coding: Knowledge of coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript can be crucial for more complex sites.
  • SEO: Search Engine Optimization is key to improving your website's visibility on search engines like Google, enhancing traffic, and boosting your business's online presence.


Even with user-friendly DIY website builders that simplify the process, there's a considerable learning curve involved. Here's a brief overview of some popular DIY website builders along with their pros and cons:

What is WordPress?

WordPress is a free and open-source content management system (CMS) that allows users to create, edit, and manage websites. It was initially designed as a blogging tool but has since grown into a versatile platform used for a wide range of websites, from personal blogs to complex e-commerce sites.


WordPress: Pros


Versatility: WordPress can be used to create all types of websites, from personal blogs to e-commerce stores.

Customizability: With thousands of themes and plugins, WordPress offers a high level of customization.

Community Support: WordPress has a large community of developers and users who contribute to its development and offer support.

SEO Friendly: WordPress is built with search engine optimization (SEO) in mind, helping your site to rank better on search engines.

Scalability: WordPress can handle websites of all sizes and can grow alongside your business.


WordPress: Cons


Learning Curve: While WordPress is user-friendly, it can be overwhelming for beginners due to its many features and functionalities.

Maintenance: Regular updates are required for the WordPress software, themes, and plugins to ensure security, which can be time-consuming.

Speed: Without proper optimization, WordPress websites can be slow, which can negatively impact user experience and SEO.

Costs: Although WordPress itself is free, costs can arise from premium themes, plugins, and hosting services.


While WordPress is a powerful and flexible tool for creating and managing websites, it does come with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Understanding these can help you decide if WordPress is the right choice for your website needs.

What is SquareSpace?

SquareSpace is a popular website builder that provides a range of tools and features to help individuals and businesses create professional-looking websites. It offers a variety of templates designed for different purposes, such as online stores, local businesses, portfolios, restaurants, and more.


Pros of SquareSpace


Variety of Templates: SquareSpace provides numerous high-quality, customizable templates suitable for various industries and purposes.

E-commerce Capabilities: SquareSpace has strong e-commerce capabilities, including setting up an online store, scheduling appointments, and invoicing clients.

Marketing Tools: SquareSpace offers various marketing tools to help businesses grow, including email marketing, SEO tools, and analytics.

24/7 Customer Support: SquareSpace offers round-the-clock customer support to help users with any issues they may encounter.

Community and Resources: SquareSpace has a comprehensive help center, webinars, and a community forum to assist users in building their websites.

Free Trial: SquareSpace offers a free trial, allowing users to test out the platform before committing to a paid plan.


Cons of SquareSpace


Limited Customization: While SquareSpace's templates are stylish, some users find the customization options to be limited compared to other platforms.

Learning Curve: SquareSpace's interface, while user-friendly, can take some time to get used to, especially for beginners.

Pricing: SquareSpace is generally more expensive than other website builders, and some features, like advanced e-commerce capabilities, are only available on higher-tier plans.

No Autosave: SquareSpace does not have an autosave feature in its editor, which means you could potentially lose your work if you forget to save manually.


SquareSpace is a robust and sophisticated website builder that offers a range of features for creating and managing websites. However, it might not be the best fit for everyone due to its slightly steeper learning curve and pricing. Understanding the pros and cons of SquareSpace can help you determine if it's the right choice for your website needs.

What is Wix?

Wix is an Israel-based software company that provides cloud-based web development services. It's a user-friendly website builder designed to help individuals and businesses create their online presence with ease. By offering a drag-and-drop interface, Wix allows users to build websites without the need for coding or FTP knowledge.


Pros of Wix


Ease of Use: With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, Wix makes it easy for beginners to create a professional-looking website.

Variety of Templates: Wix offers a wide range of customizable templates suitable for different industries and website types.

Advanced Business Solutions: Wix provides several advanced tools for businesses, including SEO tools and e-commerce capabilities.

App Market: Wix has an App Market where users can find and install additional features and functions to enhance their website.


Cons of Wix


Limited Customization: Once a template is chosen, you can't switch to another one without starting from scratch.

Pricing: While there is a free version of Wix, access to more advanced features requires a paid plan which can be more expensive compared to other website builders.

Slow Loading Times: Some users have reported slow loading times for their Wix websites, which can negatively impact user experience and SEO.

Advertisements: The free version of Wix displays advertisements on your website.


Wix is a versatile and user-friendly website builder with a variety of features suitable for different needs. However, it's important to consider its limitations in terms of template flexibility, pricing, and potential performance issues. Understanding these pros and cons can help you decide if Wix is the right tool for your website creation needs.

What is Weebly?

Weebly is a web hosting and website development platform that allows users to easily create professional websites, blogs, or online stores. It was founded in 2006 and is now a subsidiary of Block, Inc., formerly known as Square.


Pros of Weebly


Simplicity: Weebly's user-friendly interface makes it easy for beginners to create and launch their online presence.

Mobile Capabilities: With Weebly's mobile apps, you can manage your online business or website directly from your phone or tablet, wherever, whenever.

E-commerce Integration: Being a part of Block, Inc., Weebly seamlessly integrates with other products in the company's ecosystem, such as Square for payment processing.

Hosting and Security: Weebly takes care of hosting and security, so you don't have to worry about these aspects of running a website.

Blogging Tools: Weebly offers tools for blogging, which can help bring more traffic and keep visitors engaged on your site.


Cons of Weebly


Limited Customization: Compared to some other website builders, Weebly may offer fewer customization options.

Limited Themes: While Weebly provides a selection of themes, the number is less compared to some competitors, potentially limiting the uniqueness of your site's design.

Limited Advanced Features: While Weebly is great for basic websites and small online stores, it might not provide enough advanced features for larger e-commerce operations or complex sites.


Weebly is a solid choice for those seeking an easy-to-use website builder with e-commerce capabilities. However, its limitations in customization and advanced features might be a drawback for some users. Understanding these pros and cons can help you decide if Weebly is the right tool for your website creation needs.

While these tools can be useful, mastering them requires time and effort. Even then, creating a professional-quality website can be challenging without a background in web design. Hiring a professional web designer not only saves you this stress but also ensures that your website is built correctly from the start, providing real value for your business.

Time Efficiency: A Crucial Benefit of Hiring a Professional Web Designer

List of Services

    One of the most significant advantages of hiring a professional web designer is the notable time savings they offer. As a business owner, every minute of your time counts. You have multiple responsibilities to juggle, from managing operations and overseeing marketing to building customer relationships and setting strategic directions.


    When you choose to design a website yourself, you must dedicate a considerable amount of time to learning about web design, understanding the nuances of SEO, mastering various design tools, and actually building your site. This can be a long, tedious process that may take months, depending on the complexity of your site and your level of expertise.

    On the contrary, when you hire a professional web designer, you're leveraging their skills and experience. They already possess the knowledge and expertise required to build a functional, attractive, and SEO-optimized website. They understand the best practices, the latest trends, and the most effective strategies in web design. They know how to troubleshoot issues and overcome challenges that may arise during the design process.


    At The Business Theory, we have streamlined our web design process to deliver high-quality, custom-designed websites within 30 days. This means you can have your website up and running in just a month, without having to lift a finger. Our team takes care of everything, from initial design concepts to final touches, ensuring that your website not only looks great but also performs excellently.


    By saving you significant time, a professional web designer enables you to focus on what you do best - running your business. You can invest your time in tasks that directly contribute to your bottom line, such as developing new products or services, improving customer service, or expanding your market reach. In this way, hiring a professional web designer is not just a smart decision for your website, but also a strategic move for your business.

    Cost-Effectiveness in the Long Run: DIY Web Design vs. Hiring a Professional

    When it comes to building a website, cost is often a major factor for many businesses. While DIY web design might seem like a more affordable option initially, the long-term costs can add up and even surpass the cost of hiring a professional. Let's delve into an in-depth analysis to understand this better.


    DIY Web Design Costs


    DIY web design typically involves using a website builder like WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, or Weebly. These platforms generally offer a range of pricing plans, including:


    • Free plans: These often come with limitations such as the inability to use a custom domain, limited storage, and the presence of the platform's branding on your site.
    • Paid plans: Prices can range from around $10 to $50 per month, depending on the features you need.

    However, these costs only cover the basics. You may also need to consider:

    • Premium themes or templates: These can range from $20 to $200.
    • Plugins or extensions: Prices can vary widely, from free to hundreds of dollars.
    • Learning resources: If you're new to web design, you might need to invest in courses or books to learn the necessary skills.


    Also, remember that time is money. The time you spend learning how to design a website and actually creating it could be spent on other business activities. This "opportunity cost" can be significant.

    Professional Web Design Costs

    The cost of hiring a professional web designer can vary greatly, depending on the complexity of your site and the expertise of the designer. For a basic business website, you might expect to pay between $3,000 and $10,000, with some designers charging as much as $150 per hour. For more complex sites requiring high-quality e-commerce features or advanced functionality, prices could start at $7,500 and go up.


    While this may seem steep compared to DIY options, a professional web designer brings expertise and experience that can result in a more polished, effective website. They can create a custom design that perfectly fits your brand, ensure your site is optimized for search engines, and provide ongoing support and updates.

    Long-Term Costs

    Poorly designed websites can lead to lost sales opportunities. If your site is slow, difficult to navigate, or doesn't look professional, potential customers might leave and never return. Fixing these issues later can be costly, especially if you have to hire a professional to do it.


    On the other hand, a professionally designed website can provide a solid foundation for your online presence, reducing the need for costly fixes or upgrades down the line. Plus, a well-designed, user-friendly site can help attract and retain customers, contributing to your bottom line.


    While DIY web design might seem more affordable initially, hiring a professional could save you money in the long run. It's an investment in the future success of your business.

    Conclusion

    In the dynamic digital landscape, a well-designed, functional, and user-friendly website is not just an asset, but a necessity for businesses. While DIY web design may seem like a cost-saving measure, it often requires a significant investment of time and resources. Plus, it may not yield the desired results, especially in terms of functionality, aesthetics, and SEO optimization. Hiring a professional web designer, in contrast, brings in expertise, ensures quality, saves you valuable time, and can be cost-effective in the long run. So, instead of getting entangled in the intricacies of web design, allow a professional to steer your digital presence, while you focus on steering your business to success.

    About The Business Theory

    The Business Theory is a leading digital solutions provider, dedicated to empowering businesses to reach their full potential in the online space. We operate on the intersection of creativity and technology, with a team of seasoned professionals who bring together expertise in web design, SEO optimization, digital marketing, and content creation. Our mission is to deliver result-driven, customized digital solutions that align with your business objectives, setting you ahead of the competition.


    At The Business Theory, we understand that every business is unique, and our approach is tailored to reflect this. We work collaboratively with our clients, putting their vision at the forefront of any project, and injecting our blend of creativity and tech-savvy know-how. Our commitment to quality, efficiency, and customer satisfaction has made us a trusted partner for businesses across various industries. With The Business Theory, your digital journey is in safe hands. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about how we can help!

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