Should I hire a professional web designer or use a DIY website builder?

Do It Yourself website builders are a great way to start creating a new website.

But you may soon hit a wall with what they can do for your business. Certainly we have many anecdotal stories of clients who came to us with a Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy, Shopify or Weebly website that are in desperate need of serious fixes, improvements and functionality that these platforms just cannot provide.

We know this as well, because we have tried them all.

What are their limitations?

While DIY website builders offer convenience and simplicity, it's important to consider their limitations compared to professional agencies.

While these platforms provide pre-designed templates and customisation options, they may lack the flexibility and uniqueness that a professional agency can deliver. DIY builders often have a limited selection of templates, which can result in many websites looking similar and lacking originality.

Additionally, DIY website builders may have limited functionality and customisation options.

If you require advanced features or specific customisations, such as complex integrations or unique design elements, a professional agency with coding expertise can provide tailored solutions that meet your specific needs.

Quality website?

Another aspect to consider is the quality and effectiveness of the website.

Professional agencies have experienced designers and developers who understand the principles of user experience (UX), conversion optimisation, and search engine optimisation (SEO).

They can create websites that are not only visually appealing but also optimised for better performance, user engagement, and search engine rankings. Users of DIY website builders may not offer the same level of expertise and knowledge in these areas, potentially leading to suboptimal results.

Security and & Maintenance considerations

Furthermore, professional agencies provide ongoing maintenance, security updates, and technical support for your website.

They can proactively address issues, ensure smooth functioning, and provide assistance when needed. In contrast, with a DIY website builder, you may have to manage these aspects yourself, which can be time-consuming and potentially lead to challenges if you lack technical expertise.

While DIY website builders can be cost-effective, they may not provide the same level of personalised attention and strategic guidance that a professional agency can offer.

Agencies often take the time to understand your business goals, target audience, and industry landscape to create a website that aligns with your overall marketing strategy.

Ultimately, the decision between using a DIY website builder or hiring a professional agency depends on your specific needs, budget, and desired outcome.

For businesses that prioritise a unique and customised online presence, advanced functionality, and strategic guidance, investing in a professional agency can often yield superior results.

Using a DIY website builder can potentially comply with UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) regulations if certain conditions are met.

However, it is important to note that compliance ultimately depends on how you configure and use the DIY website builder.

Here are some key considerations:

Data protection responsibilities:

As the website owner and data controller, you have the responsibility to ensure that any personal data collected through the DIY website builder is handled in compliance with GDPR. This includes obtaining proper consent, securely storing data, and respecting individuals' rights regarding their personal data.

Features and settings:

Evaluate the DIY website builder's features and settings to ensure they align with GDPR requirements. Look for options to implement data protection measures, such as consent management tools, privacy policy customisation, cookie consent banners, and secure data transmission.

Third-party services and plugins:

If you integrate third-party services or plugins into your DIY website, verify that they are GDPR-compliant. Ensure that any data transferred to these services follows the necessary safeguards, and review their privacy policies and terms of service.

Data storage and security:

Ensure that the DIY website builder provides adequate data storage and security measures. Look for features like encryption, regular backups, and secure server infrastructure to protect personal data from unauthorised access or breaches.

GDPR documentation:

You are required to have a privacy policy and terms of service that comply with GDPR regulations. Ensure that the DIY website builder allows you to customise and include these documents on your website, and make sure they address key GDPR requirements.

User rights and consent management:

The DIY website builder should provide options to support individuals' rights, such as the right to access, rectify, or delete their personal data. Additionally, it should offer tools to manage and track user consents effectively.

While using a DIY website builder can be GDPR-compliant, it is crucial to carefully review the builder's features, settings, and documentation to ensure they align with your obligations as a data controller under the UK GDPR regulations.

If you have specific concerns or doubts, consulting with legal professionals specialising in data protection and GDPR compliance is recommended.

Clickingmad helps our clients not only comply with GDPR but also understand their risks and obligations.

While free website builders can be appealing due to their cost-free nature, it's important to be aware of potential hidden costs that may arise when using them. Here are some common hidden costs associated with free website builders:

Limited Features and Functionality:

Free website builders often come with limitations on features and functionality. While the basic tools for creating a website may be available, you may need to pay for additional features or advanced functionalities, such as e-commerce capabilities, custom domains, or access to premium templates.

As your website grows and your needs evolve, you might find yourself needing to upgrade to a paid plan or purchase add-ons to unlock certain features.

Branding and Advertisements:

Free website builders may display their own branding or advertisements on your website.

This can detract from the professional appearance of your site and potentially disrupt the user experience. Some free builders offer the option to remove branding and ads, but usually at an additional cost.

Custom Domain:

While some free website builders allow you to use a subdomain (e.g., yourname.websitebuilder.com), having a custom domain (e.g., yourname.com) typically incurs an extra cost.

Acquiring and renewing a custom domain often involves an annual fee.

Storage and Bandwidth Limits:

Free website builders may impose limitations on storage space and bandwidth. If your website grows and attracts more traffic, you may reach these limits, resulting in the need to upgrade to a paid plan to accommodate your needs.

Technical Support and Assistance:

Free website builders usually offer limited or no access to dedicated technical support. If you encounter technical issues or need assistance, you may have to rely on community forums or self-help resources.

Access to dedicated customer support may be available only with a paid subscription.

Data Portability:

It's important to consider data portability when using a free website builder. If you decide to switch to a different platform or host your website independently, migrating your website and its content may be challenging or require additional paid services.

While free website builders can be a good starting point for personal or small-scale projects, it's crucial to evaluate your long-term goals and the scalability of your website.

If you anticipate needing more advanced features, customisation options, or support, it may be more cost-effective and beneficial to invest in a paid website builder or consider hiring a professional agency to ensure a higher level of control, flexibility, and support for your online presence.

Using a free website builder for your UK business may send a negative message about your professionalism, credibility, and commitment to your brand.

Here are some potential negative perceptions that can arise:

Lack of Investment:

By using a free website builder, it may appear that you haven't invested in your business sufficiently.

It can give the impression that you are cutting corners or not willing to allocate resources to create a professional online presence.

This may raise doubts among potential customers about the quality of your products or services.

Limited Customisation and Uniqueness:

Free website builders often offer limited customisation options and a restricted set of templates.

As a result, your website may end up looking generic and lacking a distinct brand identity.

This can diminish your ability to stand out from competitors and make a memorable impression on visitors.

Unreliability and Lack of Control:

Free website builders may come with certain limitations, such as downtime, slower loading speeds, or less control over your website's performance.

This can lead to a negative user experience, affecting visitor engagement and potentially undermining trust in your business.

Branding and Advertisements:

Free website builders often display their own branding or advertisements on your website.

These elements can appear unprofessional and detract from the cohesive branding and messaging you want to convey to your audience.

It may give the impression that your business is associated with or reliant on a third-party platform, rather than being an independent entity.

Limited Functionality and Scalability:

Free website builders typically lack advanced features and functionalities that can enhance user experience or support business growth.

This may convey a sense that your business is not forward-thinking or capable of meeting evolving customer expectations.

Perception of Insecurity:

Free website builders may not provide the same level of security measures and protection against cyber threats compared to professional hosting platforms.

This can create concerns among potential customers regarding the safety of their personal information when interacting with your website.

It's important to note that these negative perceptions may not be applicable in all cases and can vary depending on your specific industry, target audience, and the overall quality of your website's content and design.

However, investing in a professionally designed and hosted website can help mitigate these potential negative perceptions, presenting your UK business in a more credible, trustworthy, and professional light.