There are an abundance of websites on the internet. Some are aesthetically pleasing, others are a total mess, and then you have the websites that don’t function in the way they are supposed to at all. For many, your website is the face of your company, it is the first impression that many potential clients will have with your business so it is imperative you are aligning your website with your businesses brand and core values.
If you are looking into starting a website from scratch or building upon an existing one, you will have to make the decision whether or not to create it yourself or hire a professional. DIY websites are on the rise with more and more business owners opting out of hiring a professional and building a website themselves. Just because you can, though, doesn’t necessarily mean you always should.
Organisations have to consider ease of navigation, flexibility, cost, search engine optimisation, responsiveness and page speed when developing their online presence. It’s a decision that it worth weighing up since for many aspects of a website, tools simply cannot be replaced by an experienced professional. Here are some advantages and disadvantages to take into consideration before making your decision:
Technical Abilities
If you are a programmer, building a website from scratch may seem like a piece of cake. However for the rest of us, there are options available to suit every skill level, but that means you will personally be in charge of all content, creative elements and ensuring your website is handled properly. For example, your website is a collection of files which have to live somewhere so people can easily find them. Your domain name is like your mailing address, but the mailing address needs a house to live in – that’s your hosting. In order for your website to be live it needs hosting, and most website builders offer this for a cheap price. However – these cheap hosting providers often crash with little customer service and there is almost nothing you can do to fix it.
Search Engine Optimisation is another example of technical ability you may have to compromise on when building your own website. SEO ensures your website is being seen by the right audience and is being ranked highly in Google. Many of these websites provide some pre-set features and built in site analytics however most do not cover the entirety of SEO, which greatly limits your chances of being found online.
Budget
DIY websites are without a doubt going to be more cost effective – if you have a very basic idea in mind for your website, or if you need a standard website built in a short amount of time, a DIY website may be your best option. However, as the saying goes, you get for what you pay for. In general these cheaper sites will start to add up once you start pushing for more functionality and upgrades. If you are looking for a website that will be able to stand the test of time, exude professionalism and can perform highly in both navigation and function, a professional website is what you should opt for.
Time
Sure, you can build a DIY website from scratch quickly, but it will take a lot of effort to fully set up the theme and to understand the ins and outs of producing a website from scratch. If there is something you want to specifically achieve, you may have limitations based on the template or the design available on your given platform. Working around these limitations and trying to achieve exactly what you want can be very time consuming, even if it’s considered easy.
In conclusion, DIY websites are fun learning tools that allow for a simple and quick solution to a basic website design. It may be your most sensible option given your budget and ultimate outcome of your website, however if you are looking to increase your revenue stream for your website you may run into some problems.
Hiring a digital marketing agency who supplies professional and trained web developers will create a website with your long term goals in mind. Visual Marketing Australia recognises your needs and objective and can help you build a unique and professional website that is search engine optimised and maximises potential ROI. We can create a user friendly site with a back end that anybody can edit, giving you complete control of your content and brand.
