Designing your own website? Read this before you start!
If you’re a small business and you’re you’re thinking of designing your own website there are a few things you need to consider before you start. Platforms like Wix and Squarespace make it super tempting with easy-to-use tools and beautiful templates. For many businesses, it’s a great way to get started without hiring a designer. But while DIY sites can look amazing on the surface, there are some key areas where beginners often fall short.
Let’s talk about a few things you’ll want to watch for if you’re taking the DIY route, because these small details can actually end up costing you more in the long run.
SEO
Search engine optimisation is what helps your site appear on Google when people search for terms related to your business. The basics, like keywords, may seem easy enough to add, but SEO goes much deeper. Things like meta tags, alt text for images, and even page load speed all impact your SEO ranking. These platforms offer some basic SEO tools, but many DIYers skip or overlook them. Without proper SEO, you might end up missing valuable traffic and potential customers, costing you in lost sales.
Responsive Design
Most people assume their website will look fine on any device, but that’s not always the case. DIY builders like Wix and Squarespace do a decent job of creating mobile-friendly versions, but sometimes elements like text, images, or buttons don’t automatically adjust well on smaller screens. If your site isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re likely losing a good portion of your visitors. And with more people browsing on mobile than ever, missing this means you’re missing out on more business.
Site Speed
Then, there’s site speed and performance. The speed at which your website loads directly impacts user experience and, again, SEO. High-resolution images, video, and unnecessary widgets can slow down your site, driving visitors away before they even see what you have to offer. DIY sites often suffer from this because builders don’t realise that each element they add can slow things down. If customers leave due to slow load times, that’s lost revenue.
Consistent Design
Finally, branding and design consistency can be a struggle for DIYers. With so many template options, it’s easy to mix and match styles, but the result can feel disconnected. A professional designer ensures every element aligns with your brand, giving your site a polished, cohesive look that builds trust – something hard to achieve without that expertise.
DIY website design is a fantastic way to get started, but if you’re serious about making your site work for you, keep these tips in mind.
Because while DIY can be budget-friendly upfront, the missed opportunities from lost visitors and search visibility might just end up costing you more in the end. Or, if you’re ready for an upgrade, let’s talk about how we can handle all these details, giving you a website that looks great and drives results!
