Written by
Quincy Pratt
A few years ago, when my friend decided to turn her hobby into a small business, the first thing she said was, “I need a website.”
She had everything planned out: the color palette, the tagline, and even the photos.
What she didn’t have, though, was clarity on whether she should use a DIY website builder or hire someone to create a custom website for her.
Like many small business owners, she was torn between saving money and getting something tailor-made.
Her journey navigating this decision revealed insights that I now want to share with you.
The Lure of DIY Website Builders
It’s hard not to be tempted by the promises of DIY website builders. Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify advertise sleek templates, drag-and-drop functionality, and quick setup times.
If you’re a small business owner with a tight budget, these platforms seem like the perfect solution. And, to their credit, they often are. You can start building a website within hours, with no coding required and no additional hires. Need an online store? Done. Want a blog? Easy.
These platforms are designed to cater to non-technical users, and the low monthly subscription cost—sometimes less than what you’d spend on lunch—makes them even more appealing. But, as they say, you get what you pay for.
While these tools can help you get online quickly, they don’t always offer the flexibility or scalability that a growing business needs.
The Power of Going Custom
On the flip side, custom websites are the antithesis of “quick and easy.” They require more time, money, and effort to build.
You’ll need to hire a professional web designer or agency, go through rounds of consultations, and spend weeks—sometimes months—getting everything just right.
At first, it can feel like an overwhelming investment. But the results? They’re often worth it.
A custom website isn’t just a digital placeholder for your business. It’s a platform designed specifically for your needs.
It can reflect your brand personality in ways a DIY template can’t.
For example, if your business relies heavily on booking systems, custom sites can integrate advanced features seamlessly.
If your brand needs a specific design aesthetic or layout, a developer can make it happen without compromise.
One of the biggest advantages of a custom website is scalability.
When your business grows, so can your site. DIY platforms, on the other hand, often come with limitations that can stifle growth—whether it’s caps on storage, restricted functionality, or templates that don’t evolve with you.
Breaking Down the Key Differences
When it comes to deciding between DIY and custom websites, it’s helpful to evaluate the decision across a few key factors.
1. Cost
DIY websites are affordable, with monthly fees that typically range from $10 to $50.
But these costs can add up over time, especially when you consider premium add-ons like advanced analytics, extra storage, or custom email.
Custom websites, by contrast, require an upfront investment that can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
While more expensive initially, a custom site is often a one-time investment with fewer ongoing fees.
2. Time
If you’re in a rush to launch, DIY builders win by a mile. You can go live in a matter of days—or even hours—if you’re motivated. Custom sites, however, require weeks or months to complete. But that extra time translates into a site that feels and functions exactly how you want.
3. Functionality and Features
DIY platforms are fantastic for straightforward needs like blogs, simple e-commerce stores, or service pages. But as your needs grow, their limitations become clear.
Custom websites allow for advanced integrations, custom forms, or unique design features that aren’t possible with DIY tools.
4. Ownership and Control
One often overlooked aspect is ownership. When you use a DIY platform, your site is tied to their ecosystem. If the platform raises prices, discontinues features, or even goes out of business, you’re stuck.
Custom websites give you complete ownership—your hosting, your code, your rules.
A Hybrid Approach: Bridging the Gap
Here’s where my friend’s story comes full circle. After weighing her options, she started with a DIY platform. It allowed her to quickly test her market and get her products online without breaking the bank.
But as her business grew, so did her website needs. Within a year, she hired a developer to migrate her site to a custom-built platform that could handle higher traffic and offer better functionality.
This hybrid approach is becoming increasingly common. Starting with DIY allows small businesses to establish an online presence quickly and affordably. Once revenue starts coming in, transitioning to a custom site is often a smoother—and less daunting—process.
Insider Tips for Making the Right Choice
If you’re still unsure about which option to choose, here are a few practical tips to guide you:
1. Define Your Goals:
Be clear about what you want your website to accomplish. If you’re just looking for a basic online presence, a DIY platform might suffice. But if your website will play a critical role in your operations—like processing orders or serving as a hub for customer support—a custom site may be a better fit.
2. Think Long-Term:
Where do you see your business in three to five years? If you anticipate rapid growth, consider whether your website platform can scale with you.
3. Factor in Branding:
DIY platforms are great for getting started, but their templates can sometimes feel cookie-cutter. If branding is crucial to your business, a custom site gives you the freedom to stand out.
4. Don’t Overlook SEO:
While many DIY builders offer basic SEO tools, they often fall short of what’s possible with a custom site. Custom websites allow developers to optimize everything from load speed to mobile responsiveness, which can significantly impact your search engine rankings.
My Final Takeaway
Ultimately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Both DIY website builders and custom websites have their place in the small business world.
If budget and speed are your primary concerns, DIY platforms offer an accessible way to get started. But if you’re playing the long game and want a site that grows with you, investing in a custom solution can be transformative.
What’s most important is that your website reflects your business’s values and meets your customers’ needs.
Whether you go DIY or custom, the end goal is the same: to create a platform that helps your business thrive.