If you’re starting a business or refreshing your online presence, you’ve probably asked yourself this: should I build my own website, or hire a professional?
With easy-to-use platforms like Wix, Squarespace and WordPress, it’s tempting to go the DIY route. After all, it looks cheaper, faster and gives you full control. But is it the best move for your business in the long run?
In this guide, we’ll explore the pros and cons of designing your own website versus hiring a pro, so you can make the right choice based on your budget, time and goals.
What do we mean by DIY and Pro?
DIY means using a drag-and-drop builder or a basic website platform to create your own site from scratch. You’re responsible for everything – from design and layout to content, SEO and maintenance.
Pro means hiring a freelance designer or agency to build your website for you. They take care of the design, build and usually offer support or updates too.
The case for DIY
1. Lower upfront cost
DIY platforms often come with a low monthly fee. You can get online for as little as £10 to £20 a month if you’re willing to put in the time. This can be a good option if cash flow is tight.
2. Full control
You make all the decisions. Want to change a colour or edit some text? You can do it immediately, without waiting for a designer to reply.
3. Learn as you go
Building your own site teaches you useful digital skills. You’ll learn about layout, SEO basics and how your website actually works – which can help you in other areas of your business.
4. Flexible timeline
With DIY, you set the pace. You can build your site in a weekend or chip away at it over time.
The drawbacks of DIY
1. It takes longer than you think
Most business owners underestimate how long DIY websites take. Between choosing a template, learning the platform, writing copy, resizing images and making everything mobile-friendly, it can take weeks or even months to finish.
2. Results can look amateur
Unless you have a background in design or marketing, it’s hard to create a site that looks polished and professional. DIY templates can look generic and your site might not feel aligned with your brand.
3. SEO and performance issues
DIY platforms can have limited SEO tools, slow load times and bloated code. This can affect your rankings on Google and how fast your site loads on mobile – which hurts your chances of getting found online.
4. No strategic input
A designer brings experience and strategy. They’ll think about user journeys, calls to action, lead generation and mobile design. These are often overlooked in DIY builds.
The case for hiring a professional
1. Better design and branding
A professional will design your site to match your brand, target audience and goals. It’ll feel unique, cohesive and far more trustworthy – which helps turn visitors into customers.
2. Time saved
You’ve got a business to run. Hiring a designer means you can focus on customers while they handle the build. Most pro websites are completed in 2 to 4 weeks.
3. Built for conversion
Professionals know how to design websites that work. That means more leads, more bookings and more sales. They’ll include trust signals, clear messaging and fast load speeds as standard.
4. Long-term support
Most designers offer aftercare. If something breaks, needs updating or you want to change direction, you’ve got someone who knows your site inside out.
5. Better for SEO
A well-coded, fast, mobile-optimised site with the right structure gives you a better chance of ranking on Google. Pros know how to build this in from day one.
The drawbacks of hiring a professional
1. Higher upfront cost
Professional websites usually cost between £300 and £3,000 depending on complexity and who you hire. For some small businesses, this can feel like a big upfront investment.
2. Less direct control
You’ll need to rely on your designer for changes unless your site is built with a content editor or you’re given training. That said, many modern builds include easy-to-edit systems like WordPress with Elementor or similar tools.
3. Choosing the wrong provider
Not all designers are equal. If you pick someone cheap or unresponsive, you might end up frustrated. Do your research, read reviews and check previous work before hiring.
How to choose what’s right for you
Ask yourself:
- Do I have the time to learn and build a site from scratch?
- Will a basic template be enough for my business?
- Am I confident writing my own content and setting up SEO?
- Is my business at a stage where I need a website that performs well right now?
If you’re just starting out and money is very tight, DIY might be a great first step. But if you’re serious about getting leads and building your reputation, hiring a pro could save you time, stress and lost revenue.
Hybrid option: Get a pro start, then manage it yourself
One popular solution is to get a professional to build your core website – then take over the updates yourself. You get the best of both worlds: a well-built site and the ability to edit it easily later.
Many freelancers (like us at Strategy8) offer affordable starter packages with training and ongoing support, so you’re not left stuck once the site goes live.
Final thoughts
Your website is your digital shopfront. Whether you build it yourself or hire a pro, make sure it’s clear, fast, mobile-friendly and designed to turn visitors into customers.
DIY sites can work if you have time, patience and a good eye for design. But if you want to hit the ground running with a site that actually grows your business, working with a professional could be the smartest investment you make.
At Strategy8, we help small businesses across the UK get online with affordable, high-converting websites. Whether you want to build it yourself or let us take care of everything, we’re happy to help.
