When you’re running a small business or nonprofit, every dollar counts, so it’s natural to wonder whether you can build your own website instead of hiring someone. And these days, the tools to do it are better than ever.
The honest answer is that both paths can work, depending on your situation. Here are six things to think about as you decide. (Yes, we are a design studio, but we’ll tell you if building it yourself is the right call.)
1. When DIY Makes Sense
A do-it-yourself website can be a perfectly good choice in some situations. If you’re just getting started, working with a very limited budget, or need a simple online presence while you figure out your next steps, using a website builder can get you online quickly.
It’s also a reasonable fit if you enjoy the process and have the time to learn it. Many people build a simple, effective starter site on their own.
2. When Hiring a Designer Pays Off
Hiring a professional tends to make more sense when your website is central to how you bring in business or supporters. If you rely on your site to build credibility, generate inquiries, or collect donations, the details matter — and so does the strategy behind them.
A designer also brings an outside perspective. It’s hard to see your own organization the way a first-time visitor does, and that fresh view often shapes a clearer, more focused site.
3. Count the Time, Not Just the Money
To do it yourself looks cheaper on paper, but the real cost is often your time. Choosing a template, writing and organizing content, sizing images, setting up forms, and making everything work on mobile can easily take many hours — hours that might otherwise go to running your business or your programs.
Ask yourself what your time is worth. Sometimes the less expensive path isn’t the one with the lowest price tag.
4. Think Beyond Launch Day
Getting a site live is only the beginning. Over time, a website needs updates, security, and content that stays accurate. It also needs a solid foundation if you want it to show up in search results.
With a site you built yourself, all of that falls to you. With a designer, you can often hand off the technical side and keep your focus on content. If you’re weighing platforms, our article on WordPress vs Website Builders breaks down the long-term differences.
5. Questions to Ask Yourself
If you’re still on the fence, these questions can help:
- How important is my website to bringing in customers, clients, or donors?
- Do I have the time to learn a new tool and maintain the site?
- Does my brand need a distinctive look, or will a template do?
- Will my needs grow — online sales, bookings, memberships — in the next few years?
- Am I comfortable with the idea of redoing this later if I outgrow it?
If most of your answers point toward “my website is important and I’m short on time,” hiring help is likely worth considering. Our article on 3 Questions Every Organization Should Ask About Their Website is another useful checkpoint.
6. There’s a Middle Path
It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Some organizations start with a simple DIY site and bring in a designer when they’re ready to grow. Others hire a designer to build the foundation — structure, design, and key pages — and then handle day-to-day content updates themselves.
And if budget is the main concern, it helps to know what a professional project typically involves. Our article on How Much Does a Professional Website Cost? can help you plan.
The right choice isn’t about which option is “better” — it’s about which fits your goals, your timeline, and the time you have to give. Either way, a clear, welcoming website is worth the thought you put into it.
If you’re weighing your options, we’d be happy to talk it through, even if DIY turns out to be the right answer for now. Feel free to request a free website evaluation or contact us to talk through your goals.
