Having a website is essential for anyone who wants to have an online presence. Whether you’re a business, an individual, or a non-profit organization, having a website can help you reach more people and increase your visibility. But if you don’t have the technical skills or the budget to hire a professional web designer, you may be wondering: should I build my own website? Today, we’ll explore the pros and cons of building your own website, so you can make an informed decision.

What is the importance of owning a website?

A website is important for any organization or individual wanting to be visible online. With a website, you can easily share information, promote products and services, increase your visibility and even make money. It’s also a great way to create a professional image and communicate with your target audience.

A website also allows you to establish credibility and trust with your audience. People are more likely to trust a company with a website than one without one. Having a website also makes it easier for people to find you on the web, which helps you get more customers or supporters. Finally, having a website is a great way to demonstrate your expertise and showcase who you are and your work.

How to build your own website

Building a website doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive, however, it can seem like it. There are a few different ways to build a website, depending on your skills and budget. If you’re tech-savvy and have some coding knowledge, you can create a website from scratch using HTML/CSS and JavaScript. This involves writing the code, designing the pages, and setting up the hosting.

Alternatively, you can use a website builder, like SquareSpace. This is a great option for people who don’t have little to no coding knowledge. Website builders are user-friendly and allow you to create a website without any technical skills. You simply choose a template, customize it to your needs, and add content.

What technologies are needed for building a website?

If you’re building a website from scratch, you’ll need to have a good understanding of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. You’ll also need to set up a hosting account and a domain name. If you’re using a website builder, you won’t need to have any coding knowledge (although having some does help). Most website builders have drag-and-drop editors, so you can create a website with very little or no technical skills.

What are the costs associated with building a website?

The cost of building a website depends on a few factors. If you’re building a website from scratch, you’ll need to purchase a domain name and hosting. These can cost anywhere from $10 to $50 per month for hosting, and typically a yearly renewal for the domain. You’ll also need to invest in the tools and technologies needed to build the website. If you’re using a website builder, such as Wix, there are usually free and paid plans available. Prices can range from free to $50 or more per month depending on the platform.

What are the benefits of using a website builder?

Using a website builder is a great option for people who don’t have any coding knowledge. Website builders are user-friendly and allow you to create a website without any technical skills. Most website builders have drag-and-drop editors, which allow you to customize the look and feel of your website without any coding knowledge.

Another way to think of a website builder is like Legos. You get a pre-designed construction set, with instructions and all the parts you need to create the Lego set. But you can add (or take away) what you want from the set. Let’s say you are building the Millennium Falcon. If you want you can disregard the satellite dish on top and add something else if you wish.

Website builders also make it easy to add content to your website. You can easily add photos, videos, and text without any technical knowledge. Plus, website builders usually offer additional features like analytics, SEO tools (important for the Google machine to find you), as well as E-commerce functionality.

What are some tips for successful website building?

Building a website doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Here are some tips to help you create a successful website:

• Choose the right platform: If you don’t have any coding knowledge, it’s best to use a website builder.
• Make sure it’s user-friendly: Make sure your website is easy to navigate and use.
• Add relevant content: Make sure to add content that’s relevant and interesting to your target audience.
• Optimize for search engines: Make sure to optimize your website for search engines, so people can easily find it.
• Monitor your website: Monitor your website and make sure it’s running properly and is up to date.

What are the benefits of hiring a professional website designer?

Another option is hiring a professional website designer. This is a great option, especially if you don’t have the time or the skills to build a website yourself. Professional website designers have the experience and expertise to create a website that is user-friendly, visually appealing, and optimized for search engines. They can also help you create content that is engaging and relevant to your target audience.

Hiring a professional website designer can also save you time and money. Professional website designers can create a website quickly and efficiently, and they can also provide ongoing maintenance and support. When hiring a professional website designer one could hire an Agency or go the freelancer route. Both come with their own pros and cons.

Hiring a Professional Website Design Agency

This is a really solid option as you get the expertise of a designer as well as many resources to go with it. Typically, an Agency is going to have experts in their field and will be able to work with you to build a website that works for your business. Depending on the company, they will usually have different designers and workers in their Agency that will help you with Design, Marketing, SEO etc…they are a Swiss Army Knife if you will.

Perhaps the biggest downside to using an Agency, however, is the fact that they are going to be the most expensive option typically. Since they are an Agency that will usually have years of experience under their belts, that expertise will (understandably) come with a price. They could also, like the website builder, offer somewhat of a cookie-cutter website experience. Also, more often than not the turnover rate of Designers at an Agency is pretty high. For instance, the Designer who started your project, may not be the one that finishes your project. They may be the 2nd or even 4th person you worked with. 

Hiring a Freelance Web Designer

Another option is hiring a freelance Web Designer. Hiring a freelancer comes with pros and cons just like the rest. However, one of the biggest cons is also the biggest pro. For instance, the freelancer could be starting out, so their experience can vary wildly, just like their prices. However, this also brings about a level of determination and desire for the project to be excellent. As a freelancer will typically go above and beyond in order to best serve you, their client. 

A freelancer is not an Agency, so they may not have many clients. So, they want to make sure every client is taken care of, in order to get referrals from said client. Which leads to more referrals. This is a win-win situation. You get a great website that builds your business. And they get referrals which allows them to build their experience and business. 

Pros of building your own website

So what are some pros and cons of building your own website vs hiring someone? Let’s check out a few pros and cons.

First, building your own website has a few advantages. It can be a great way to express your creativity and display your work. It can also be a great way to save money and learn new skills. There are a TON of resources online that can help you learn how to build a website from scratch. If you have some coding knowledge, you can create a website from scratch and have complete control over the design and functionality. 

Building your own website can also be a great way to keep your site up-to-date, however, some might see that as a con which we will get to in a moment. Not only do you have the satisfaction of building your own website after learning whatever platform you choose, but you can also easily add content and make changes without having to hire a professional web designer.

Cons of building your own website

Building your own website also has some disadvantages. It can be time-consuming and difficult if you don’t have any coding knowledge. You have probably seen all those ads about “Learn to design a site in 3 months!” or “Learn to Code in less than 6 months and get a job!”. If you are a business owner, do you have 6 months to give to learn a new (albeit valuable) skill just to build a website? That is akin to a store owner getting all the supplies and resources to construct a building, learning the intricacies of how to construct a building, coming up with the design of a building, and then building it himself!

You’ll also need to invest in the tools and technologies required to build the website. Again, you will need a domain name and hosting, plus if you are using a website builder, you will need to pay for that as well. That is akin to a store owner getting all the supplies and resources to construct a building, learning the intricacies of how to construct a building, coming up with the design of a building, and then building it himself!

Plus, remember I mentioned that it is important to keep your site up to date, that means not only content but also security. If you are not using good hosting and not securing your site you are vulnerable to getting hacked and can lose your site or even worse expose you and/or your client’s information. It is always a good idea to make sure your site is secure and up to date.

Conclusion

Building your own website can be a great option if you have the time and the skills. It can be a great way to express your creativity and save money. But it can also be time-consuming and difficult if you don’t have any coding knowledge. If you don’t have the time or the skills to build a website yourself, it may be best to hire a professional website designer.

No matter which option you choose, it’s important to make sure your website is user-friendly, optimized for search engines, and secure. Plus it needs to look good and convert visitors into clients. With a bit of time and effort, you can create a successful website that will help you reach more people and increase your visibility.

Shameless Plug

One of the things I mentioned in this post is that your website needs to look good, convert visitors into clients, and just as importantly be secured. As a Web Designer I love creating websites, not only that but I also am in your corner from the beginning to the end and beyond. I take care of your website throughout the process and help with hosting, maintaining, and securing your website, so it stays up to date. I am in your corner every step of the way.

I’ll work with you to craft a website that is not only beautiful but also easy to navigate and effective in helping you reach your target audience. I understand that creating a website isn’t just about the design, but also about the technology that goes into making it work. I’m here to help you create a website that is both great-looking and effective in helping you reach your business goals. If you are interested in creating a great website for your business, whether you need a new website, or just to refresh your existing website I can help, schedule a call today!