Should You DIY Your Website or Hire a Designer?
If you're building a business, you've likely asked yourself: Should I DIY my website or hire a professional designer?
The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. It depends on your goals, your timeline, your budget—and your current season of business. As someone who offers both custom web design and strategic website templates, I’ve seen firsthand how each path can serve a purpose.
But I’ve also seen what happens when budget-conscious business owners try to DIY from scratch without the right tools or strategy, and end up with a website that doesn’t actually work.
So let’s talk about how to choose the right path for your season, budget, and goals.
The Case for DIY (With the Right Support)
DIYing your website can be a great move—if you have the right tools, plan, and expectations. It’s ideal for those just getting started or testing a new offer, and it can give you more control and flexibility while staying budget-friendly.
But here’s where many DIYers go wrong: They try to piece things together from scratch, cutting corners and spending hours Googling how to fix things that should have been simple. The result? A website that looks half-finished, doesn’t guide users clearly, and doesn’t actually support the growth of their business.
Best Fit For:
New business owners with a limited budget
Founders in a testing or pivoting season
Confident DIYers who enjoy the process and learning curve
Pros:
More affordable upfront
Allows for flexibility and learning
You can launch quickly on your own timeline
Common Pitfalls:
Wasted time and energy troubleshooting
Missed opportunities for strategic structure or SEO
Inconsistent branding or confusing navigation
Frustration that leads to burnout or stalling
Best Practice:
Start with a website template designed by a professional who understands strategy and user experience.
It gives you the structure, polish, and clarity of a designer’s eye, without the full custom investment. You still control the content and make it your own, but the hard part is already done for you.
The Case for Hiring a Designer
There comes a point when DIY isn’t the best use of your time—or your brainpower. Maybe your business has grown. Your offers are clear. You want to show up online with confidence and clarity.
That’s when hiring a designer becomes the better investment.
A custom website is more than just a pretty layout. It’s a tailored experience built to reflect your brand, connect with your ideal audience, and move people to action.
Best Fit For:
Established business owners
Brands ready to scale or rebrand
Busy entrepreneurs who want it done right the first time
Pros:
Saves hours of guesswork
Professional strategy, design, and SEO built-in
Personalized to your exact brand and goals
Usually includes content support, guidance, and launch prep
Common Pitfalls:
Hiring too soon before you're clear on your brand or offer
Working with a designer who doesn’t align with your audience or goals
Skipping prep work (like messaging or images) and expecting magic
Best Practice:
Hire a designer when you’re ready to invest in growth, not just visuals. Look for someone who understands your industry, has a process you trust, and can bring clarity—not just aesthetics—to your online presence.
So, What’s Right for You?
Ask yourself:
What’s your current season? Are you building something new or refining something established?
Is your biggest limitation time or money? If you’re short on time, hire help. If you’re tight on budget, use a solid template.
Are you confident in your content, branding, and strategy? If not, a custom designer (or a template with built-in strategy) can help.
What’s your timeline? Templates are great for a fast, DIY launch. Custom design usually takes more time but offers a long-term return.
My Honest Advice
If you’re just starting out and need something fast, affordable, and professional, start with a template. But make sure it’s a good one: built with strategy, SEO, and conversion in mind. Not all templates are created equal.
If you’re a few steps in and know your brand, your offer, and your goals, it might be time to hire a designer and get a site that’s fully tailored to your vision.
And if you’re somewhere in between? There’s a path for that, too.
Want help figuring out what’s best for you?
Whether you're ready for a custom site or want to launch confidently with a template, I’d love to help you find the path that fits you now and grows with you later.
Browse our Website Templates or Custom Design Services to learn more.
About Little Creative Company
Little Creative Company is a creative design studio helping Christian entrepreneurs, authors, and creatives increase their impact through strategic branding, thoughtful website design, and SEO that actually works. Whether you're DIYing with one of our templates or ready for a custom design experience, we’re here to help your message get seen and make a difference.
