Is it true? Anyone these days can build a website? There are numerous DIY website builders out there, all offering various features and design options for a fraction of the price that a web designer would charge you. On top of being cost-effective, you are also in full control. You can edit, change and upload content to your website anytime, anywhere.
Understandably, the idea of using a DIY website builder for your homepage is tempting. However, before you dive into it, there are a few questions you should ask yourself.
How much is your time worth?
Creating a simple website can take a few hours, whereas a more complex website may take several weeks or even months to design, develop, and launch. It also depends on your skill level and the website builder or platform you choose. Some website builders offer pre-designed templates, which can save time, while others require you to design and code the website from scratch.
How much time are you willing and able to invest in the design of your website? Are you skilled enough to maneuver the technicalities or do you need to invest additional time into gaining the necessary know-how? Remember, all of this is time that you are spending away from your business, unless you are a web designer and earn your living by designing and creating websites.
Do you know how to fix it?
Mistakes can be costly. Inserting the wrong code or changing it by accident can break your website within seconds if you don’t know how to remove or reverse it. Furthermore, websites that are not well-optimized can be very slow to load, leading to impatient and disgruntled users that may never return.
In general, the amount of maintenance a website requires depends on its complexity, the frequency of updates or changes made, and the level of traffic it receives. In general, a basic website without much functionality and traffic can be maintained with a few hours of work per month.
However, more complex websites with extensive features, such as eCommerce sites, will require more maintenance to ensure that everything is working correctly. This may take a significant amount of time and resources. Regular updates to the site’s content, security, and software are also necessary to keep it up-to-date and secure from hackers or malware attacks.
Where do you want to rank on Google?
Digital marketing is not just about “having a website”. It is about having a website that is effective – generating leads and turning visitors into paying customers. And in order to do so, your website needs to be visible on Google and appear in search engine results. To achieve this, you will need to undertake the following steps which, again, require time and expertise.
- Google Index – Submit your website to Google Search Console and verify its ownership. This allows Google to crawl your website and index your pages.
- Keyword research – Choose keywords relevant to your website and use them in your content in a natural way.
- On-page optimization – Optimize your website’s title tags, meta descriptions, headers, and content with keywords.
- Mobile optimization – Ensure that your website is mobile-responsive and user-friendly on mobile devices.
- Page speed – Ensure that your website loads quickly, as website speed impacts search engine optimization.
- Content creation – Create high-quality content that is useful and informative to your target audience.
- Backlinks and online presence – Build backlinks to your website and maintain a strong online presence on social media and online directories.
- Regular maintenance – Regularly review your website analytics and optimize your website accordingly.
Do you want to write your own content?
Content is very important for generating enquiries for your business and you need to decide whether you are going to produce your own – or hire a content writer. The amount of content your website needs depends on its purpose and goals.
A small business website may only need a few pages of content to provide basic information about the company, products, and services. A large ecommerce website, on the other hand, may require hundreds or thousands of pages of product descriptions, reviews, and other content.
Any website should have enough high-quality content to engage visitors and convey the necessary information. It is essential to balance the amount of content with quality and relevance to ensure an effective and successful website.
Do you want to own your website?
When choosing a DIY website builder, you generally don’t own the website and can’t move it to a different provider if things don’t work out. There is also limited ability for a professional SEO person to edit the website to improve Google rankings. This is one of the main reasons why DIY websites rarely outrank a WordPress website.
DIY vs. professionally built websites
The majority of web designers, including Energise Web, use WordPress to design, create and maintain websites for businesses of any size. Whether the website is for a small local business or a large eCommerce store, WordPress websites are typically more effective than DIY websites.
SEO friendly
WordPress has built-in SEO features that make it easy for website owners to optimize their site for search engines.
Customizable
With thousands of themes and plugins available, WordPress offers more flexibility in design and functionality compared to DIY website builders.
Security
WordPress is regularly updated to fix vulnerabilities and provide security patches. DIY website builders often lack the same level of security measures.
Community support
With a large and active community of developers and users, WordPress offers better support and resources for troubleshooting and maintenance.
Overall, while DIY website builders may offer convenience and simplicity, WordPress websites provide more options and capabilities for businesses and organizations looking to create a professional and effective online presence. At the end of the day, you need to ask yourself whether you are a web designer or a business owner.
If you would like to focus on growing your business and let the experts help you maximise your business website, contact the friendly team at Energise Web today. We are highly experienced in web design and website development and offer a wide range of services including copywriting, SEO and advertising tailored to your target audience.