Web Design
September 12, 2024

Why 'DIY' Web Design Could Be Costing You More Than You Think

Written By:
Natalie Russo-Dickey, CEO/Founder Spark Digital
Natalie Russo-Dickey
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With the rise of website builders and DIY platforms, creating a website on your own has never been easier—or so it seems. While DIY web design may appear to be a cost-effective solution, the reality is that it can end up costing you more than you think. In this blog, we’ll explore the hidden costs and potential risks of DIY web design, and why investing in a professional might be the better option in the long run.

The Hidden Costs of DIY Web Design

While a DIY website builder might seem like an affordable solution, there are often hidden costs that aren’t immediately apparent. From the time investment to the potential for lost business, the true cost of DIY web design can be much higher than expected.

One of the most significant hidden costs of DIY web design is the time it takes. While these platforms are marketed as easy to use, building a functional, aesthetically pleasing website can take far longer than expected—especially for those without design or technical experience. A business owner might spend countless hours learning the platform, troubleshooting issues, and tweaking the design, only to realize that the end result doesn’t fully meet their needs or convert visitors effectively. Time spent on these tasks is time taken away from running and growing the business.

Your website is more than just a digital space—it’s the online face of your business, your digital storefront. Just as you wouldn’t try to build a physical storefront by yourself, it’s important to recognize the value of letting a professional handle your digital presence. Imagine walking into a brick-and-mortar store with a poorly designed layout, dim lighting, and outdated decor. It doesn’t leave a good impression, and it certainly doesn’t make you want to stay, browse, or buy anything. The same principle applies to your website. It’s often the first interaction potential customers have with your brand, and it needs to look as good—or better—than an actual storefront.

The Impact on User Experience

Research shows that users form an opinion about a website within 50 milliseconds—that’s faster than the blink of an eye. In that incredibly brief moment, the design, layout, and functionality of your site can make or break their perception of your brand. A professionally designed website immediately communicates that your business is credible, trustworthy, and worthy of their time. Conversely, a DIY website that looks amateurish or is difficult to use can raise doubts about your business’s legitimacy and attention to detail.

Imagine landing on a website with slow load times, confusing menus, and buttons that are difficult to click on a mobile device. Frustrated, you quickly leave and find a competitor’s site that is fast, easy to navigate, and looks great on your phone. The first site not only lost a potential customer but also left a negative impression that might prevent you from returning in the future.

When I was planning my wedding, I was flabbergasted by the number of terrible wedding vendor websites I encountered. These sites either had little information, were hard to navigate, looked unprofessional—or, in most cases, a combination of all three. As someone who was preparing for one of the most important days of my life, these vendors lost my confidence almost immediately. I remember thinking, "If they aren't professional enough to have a decent website, how can I trust them with something as significant as my wedding?" This experience made it clear to me just how crucial a well-designed website is in building trust and making a positive first impression.

"A well-designed website is like a good storefront—it invites visitors in and makes them want to stay." — Alex Taylor, UX Consultant

SEO Shortcomings

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a complex field that requires expertise to execute effectively. DIY websites often lack the necessary SEO features or are not optimized properly, leading to poor search engine rankings.

SEO is not just about using the right keywords—although that’s certainly part of it. Effective SEO involves a combination of on-page elements (like meta descriptions, header tags, and alt text for images), off-page factors (such as backlinks and social signals), and technical aspects (including site structure, mobile optimization, and page speed). Without a solid understanding of how these components work together, it’s easy to overlook crucial details that can significantly impact your website’s performance in search engine results pages (SERPs).

SEO is not a one-time task; it’s an ongoing process that requires regular updates, monitoring, and adjustments to keep up with changes in search engine algorithms and user behavior. Professional web designers and SEO specialists have the tools and expertise to ensure that your site is fully optimized from the ground up. This includes conducting keyword research, optimizing on-page elements, setting up technical SEO, and continuously monitoring performance to make data-driven improvements.

"75% of users never scroll past the first page of search results, making SEO a critical factor in your website's visibility." — BrightEdge Research

Security and Maintenance Risks

One of the biggest risks of DIY web design is security. Without proper knowledge and tools, your site could be vulnerable to hacks, data breaches, and other security threats. Additionally, ongoing maintenance is essential to keep your site running smoothly, which can be time-consuming and complex.

Many DIY platforms rely on third-party plugins to extend functionality, but these plugins can introduce vulnerabilities if not regularly updated and properly managed. A single outdated or poorly coded plugin can open the door to hackers, potentially leading to significant damage.

I once inherited a WordPress site that had been hacked, creating hundreds of inappropriate URLs on their domain. The site’s owner had been using a variety of plugins, some of which were outdated and no longer supported. These vulnerabilities allowed hackers to exploit the site, leading to a nightmare scenario that required extensive cleanup and restoration efforts. This experience underscored the importance of choosing a secure and reliable platform, as well as the need for ongoing maintenance.

Why Webflow is a Secure and Reliable Choice

At Spark Digital, one reason we prefer to build websites using Webflow is because of its inherent security features and reliability. Unlike platforms that rely heavily on third-party plugins, Webflow is a closed ecosystem where all the functionality is built into the platform itself. This eliminates the need for frequent plugin updates and reduces the risk of security breaches caused by third-party extensions.

Webflow handles security at the platform level, providing features like SSL encryption, automatic backups, and regular security updates. This means that your website is always up-to-date with the latest security protocols, without the need for manual intervention. Additionally, Webflow’s hosting is managed on Amazon Web Services (AWS), one of the most secure and reliable cloud services in the world, further enhancing the protection of your website.

Ready to Hire Spark?

While DIY web design might seem like a cost-effective solution at first, the hidden costs, security risks, and potential for a subpar user experience can quickly outweigh any initial savings. Investing in a professional web designer not only ensures that your website is polished, secure, and user-friendly, but it also saves you time, money, and potential headaches down the line.

We encourage you to take a closer look at your current website and consider whether a DIY approach is truly meeting your business needs. If you're unsure, we're here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation or website audit, and let’s explore how