Your website is often the first impression people get of your business. It’s your digital shopfront, your brochure and in many cases, your main sales tool. When starting out, many people look for the best website builder to create their site quickly and affordably. Builders like Wix, Shopify or Squarespace make it easy to publish your website without technical skills. But while a builder might help you get online, it doesn’t guarantee you’ll end up with the best website for your business.
A DIY website can be tempting because it seems quick, affordable and puts you in control. You can choose a template, drag and drop some images and publish your site in a weekend. But once the excitement to create a website wears off, many people realise their “I can do it myself” website takes far more time and effort than expected, and the results don’t always match the needs of a growing business.
With a drag-and-drop website builder, you can make your website look amazing – or like a digital scrapbook, depending on your design skills.
Web Professionals takes a different approach. Instead of relying on generic templates, a designer creates a site built around your brand, your customers and your goals. It’s crafted to look polished, function smoothly and support your business as it expands.
So how do you know which option is right for you? Let’s compare the pros and cons of a DIY effort against professional website design so you can make the choice that best fits your business.
TL;DR: Do-It-Yourself vs Professional Web Design
- Builders like Squarespace, Wix, Shopify, GoDaddy or Canva can get you online quickly and cheaply, but often looks generic, has limited features and weak SEO.
- Free website builders usually give you a free domain, but it looks unprofessional. A custom domain is better for building trust.
- Do-it-yourself sites are fine for hobbies, side hustles or short-term projects, but they can become time-consuming, restrictive and harder to grow.
- Even the best website builder can’t give you the strategy, performance or flexibility of a professionally designed site.
- A professional site is built around your brand and goals, offering stronger SEO, better user experience, credibility and long-term value.
- If budget is tight, consider a hybrid option: professionally designed templates you can customise, which give you a more polished look than your standard ‘I made it myself’ site.
- Bottom line: If your website is central to your business, investing in professional design now will save you time, frustration and lost opportunities later.
Key Parts of a Great Website
An effective website includes:
- Clear Navigation – Visitors can find what they need quickly.
- Attractive Visuals – Images, colors, and fonts that match your brand.
- Mobile-Friendly – Works perfectly on phones, tablets, and computers.
- Fast Loading – Speed matters for both visitors and search engines.
- Strong Calls-to-Action – Prompts that tell visitors what to do next.
- Built-In Search Engine Optimisation – Helps your site show up in Google and other search results.
When all these pieces work together, your simple website isn’t just nice to look at – it’s a tool that attracts customers and supports your business.
DIY Website Design
What Are Website Builders?
Website builders are online tools like Wix, Squarespace and Shopify that allow you to build a website without needing to know code. They usually offer ready-made templates, drag-and-drop editors and built-in hosting, which makes them appealing for people who want to get online quickly with a website in minutes (although that’s rarely the case!).
For a startup business or side project, a website builder can seem like the perfect solution. You pick a design, add your content and publish – all within a few hours. However, while website builders make it easy to get started, they also have limits. Templates can feel restrictive, customisation is often limited and scaling your site as your business grows can be difficult. Some tools give you templates for every type of business, from coffee shops to cat groomers. The problem? Everyone else is using those same templates.
Popular DIY Website Options
When most people think of building a do-it-yourself website, a few names come up again and again. Each has its strengths, but also some limits you’ll want to be aware of.
Wix
Wix is known for its drag-and-drop editor that gives you a lot of creative freedom. It’s great for beginners who want to move elements around and customise every detail. The downside is that too much freedom can lead to a cluttered site if you don’t have design experience.
Shopify
Shopify is built for e-commerce. If selling products online is your main goal, it’s one of the easiest ways to set up a store with payment options, shipping tools and inventory management already included. It’s less suited for content-heavy websites and comes with a higher monthly cost.
GoDaddy
GoDaddy is best known as a domain registrar, but it also offers a simple website builder. It’s one of the quickest ways to get online because it combines domain, hosting and templates in one place. However, the design options are limited compared to other platforms, and the sites can look basic.
Canva
Canva is popular for its graphic design tools, and it now includes a website builder. It’s very easy to use, especially if you already make graphics in Canva, but it’s best for one-page sites, portfolios or resumes. It lacks advanced features like e-commerce or strong search engine optimisation tools.
Squarespace
Squarespace is known for its sleek, modern templates. It’s a good choice if you want a professional-looking site with minimal effort. While it doesn’t offer as much creative freedom as Wix, a Squarespace website always looks polished, but it can still feel like every other Squarespace website out there if you don’t change things up. The trade-off is fewer integrations and a steeper learning curve for beginners.
The takeaway: Each platform can help you publish a website you built yourself quickly, but they’re not all built for long-term growth. The right choice depends on whether you want a simple online presence, a stylish portfolio, or a full e-commerce store.
Comparison of Best DIY Website Builders
Platform | Ease of Use | Cost (Starter Plans) | Best For | Key Drawback |
Wix | Very beginner-friendly, drag-and-drop freedom | Free plan with ads; Paid from ~$16/mo | Small businesses, personal projects, blogs | Too much freedom can create messy designs, not always scalable |
Shopify | Simple for e-commerce, comes with built-in tools | Plans from ~$39/mo | Online stores of all sizes | Higher cost, less suited for content-heavy sites |
GoDaddy | Extremely easy, combines domain + hosting + site | Paid plans from ~$10/mo | Quick websites, small service businesses | Limited design options, sites look basic |
Canva | Simple drag-and-drop, graphics-first approach | Free plan; Paid from ~$12/mo | One-page sites, portfolios, resumes | Very limited features, no real e-commerce or strong SEO |
Squarespace | Polished templates, structured editor | Plans from ~$16/mo | Creative portfolios, service-based sites | Fewer integrations, learning curve for beginners |
Domains and Pushing Your Website Live
When you create your website with a free service like those above, you’ll usually be given a free or discounted domain that looks something like yourbusiness.websitebuilder.com. While this can get you online quickly, it’s not a very professional look and can make it harder for customers to remember your site and looks awkward when used in your advertising.
Most builders give you the option to upgrade to a custom domain (for example, yourbusiness.com). A custom domain builds trust, is easier to share and helps your business appear more established. If you’re serious about your brand, investing in a custom domain is worth it.
Once your design and domain are set up, the final step is to publish your website. With website builders, publishing is often as simple as clicking a button. However, making sure everything looks right on both desktop and mobile, and that your site is fully search engine optimised, can take extra time and attention.
Pros of Doing It Yourself
Lower Cost – Popular DIY website builders like Shopify, Wix and Squarespace can get you online for less money upfront. For new businesses or side hustles like crafts, this can be tempting.
Full Control – You get to choose the design, layout, images, and text. You can make changes anytime you want without waiting for outside help.
Free Website Builders: Features and Benefits
If you want to create a free website, just be ready for the fine print – nothing says “professional” like a site covered in ads.
Feature | Benefit | What To Watch Out For |
Free domain included | Lets you publish your site quickly at no cost | Domain usually looks like yourbusiness.builder.com which looks less professional |
Pre-made templates | Easy to set up with ready-to-use designs | Templates can feel generic and may not match your brand |
Drag-and-drop editor | No coding required—anyone can build a site | Limited flexibility if you want a unique layout or advanced features |
Hosting included | No need to pay separately for web hosting | Free hosting often comes with slow speeds or downtime |
Basic SEO tools | Allows you to add titles, descriptions and alt text | Lacks advanced tools to help you rank higher in Google |
No upfront cost | Good for testing ideas or temporary projects | Hidden fees appear when you want extras like a custom domain, more storage or e-commerce |
Easy publishing | Click a button to publish your site instantly | Published site may display the builder’s branding or ads |
Cons of Going It Alone
Time consuming – Learning the platform, troubleshooting, and creating content can take hours – or even weeks – away from running your business. Is this really the best way to grow your business? Builders promise a website easy enough for anyone, but sometimes you spend more time on YouTube tutorials than actually building your website.
Limited Features – DIY website templates often look generic and scaling later can be difficult without custom development. So you can add ‘learning to code’ to your list of requirements to create your own website. These platforms all make it easy to create a site, but not necessarily to stand out. The real trick is adding the right features for your business. If you want to make a website from scratch without code, you’ll need patience. Sure, you can build websites without writing any code, but you’ll still spend hours figuring out why that button is floating in the wrong place.
Free Websites Can Cost You – Many platforms offer a free trial, which is great until you forget to cancel and end up paying for that new website you weren’t sure about. You may be required to display their branding, pay extra for essential features, or face sudden fees if you exceed usage limits. Worse, if your site breaks the platform’s rules – often buried in long terms and conditions – it can be suspended or removed without warning. Losing your site overnight could mean losing customers, revenue, and valuable content you can’t easily recover. This can also be the case if you use a social media platform as your website.
Hello Facebook Jail!
AI-Built Websites Have Limits – AI-powered website builders (think Canva website) can make something fast, but they often use generic designs and content. That can make your site look like many other website creations out there and may hurt your brand’s credibility. AI doesn’t fully understand your business, your customers, or how to create a strategic site that helps you stand out – and search engines may punish AI-generated text if it’s low-quality or duplicated elsewhere.
Responsive design isn’t optional anymore. Your website needs to look and work properly on phones, tablets and computers. A responsive website means visitors get the same smooth experience no matter what device they use. If you’re building a DIY website, make sure the builder includes mobile-friendly templates and tools from the start.
DIY Websites and SEO Limitations. One of the biggest challenges with a DIY website is search engine optimisation. Many website builders include basic optimisation tools, like the ability to add page titles, meta descriptions and alt text for images. While these features are helpful, they only scratch the surface.
Search engines look at far more than keywords and descriptions. Site speed, structured data, security, mobile responsiveness and content quality all play a major role in ranking. DIY website builders often don’t give you access to advanced settings or the flexibility to fix technical issues. This can leave your site stuck on the lower pages of Google, no matter how good your content is.
Why You Should Create a Professional Website
Builds Trust
A polished, professional-looking, unique website shows customers you’re serious about your business. Business owners who want to make a strong first impression know that a custom website is the best way to do it.
Better User Experience
Professional designers think about how visitors move through your site, making it easy to find information and take action. A great user experience keeps people on your site longer.
More Features & Flexibility
A professionally designed website can grow with your business. Adding new pages, products, or tools is easier and more seamless.
Stronger SEO That Works
If your business depends on customers being able to find your website online, relying only on the limited tools in a DIY site builder may hold you back. Professional designers build business websites with SEO in mind from the ground up, giving you a stronger chance to appear in front of the right audience.
Things to Think About Before Choosing DIY or Professional
- Budget – DIY sites are cheaper at first but may cost more over time with upgrades, fixes, or lost opportunities. A professionally built site is an investment that can pay off for years.
- Business Goals – Your website should match your brand and support your future growth.
- Growth and Expansion Plans – If you expect to add more features later, like an online store, a professional designed and developed website is more flexible.
How to decide
Ask Yourself:
- Do I have time to build and maintain my site?
- Do I need special features?
- How important is SEO for my business?
- Will my website be a main sales tool?
If the answer to these points leans toward “yes,” working with a professional is likely your best move.
Free Website Builders vs Professional Web Design
Aspect | Free DIY Options | Professionals |
Cost | Free to start, but upgrades and hidden fees add up | Higher upfront cost, but long-term value and fewer surprises |
Domain | Free or discounted domain (builder’s branding in the URL) | Custom URL that strengthens your brand |
Design | Template-based, limited customisation | Tailored to your brand with unique layouts and visuals |
Features | Basic tools, restricted add-ons | Advanced features, integrations and flexibility to scale |
SEO | Simple tools for titles and descriptions only | Full search engine optimisation strategy built into site structure and content |
Speed and Performance | Hosting included, often slower and less reliable | Fast, secure hosting tailored for your site’s needs |
Credibility | Looks functional but can feel generic | Professional polish builds trust with customers |
Support | Limited support through forums or help articles | Direct support from a designer who understands your goals |
Growth | Difficult to expand or customise as business grows | Built with flexibility to grow and adapt over time |
The Hybrid Option – DIY Website Alternatives: Professionally Designed Templates
If you’re not ready to commit to a fully custom build, but want something stronger than a basic DIY website, a hybrid approach can work well. Many designers offer professionally designed templates that give you a polished look without the cost of a completely bespoke site.
With this option, you start with a responsive website template built by a professional who understands design, user experience and SEO. You then add your own text, images and branding, which keeps costs down and allows you to keep some control. The result is a beautiful website that feels more professional than a standard DIY website, but doesn’t carry the price tag of a fully custom project.
This middle ground is ideal for businesses who want to get online quickly, but still need a site that looks trustworthy, performs well and can grow with them. Later on, you can expand into a fully custom site as your business and budget allow.
The Bottom Line
A DIY option can be a good starting point for small, short-term projects or hobbies. It helps you get online quickly and at a lower cost, but it often comes with trade-offs – limited features, weaker SEO tools and a ‘meh’ generic look that may not set you apart. If your site is just a placeholder or a test run for an idea, a do-it-yourself website might be enough.
For small business owners that rely on their website to attract customers, build trust and drive sales, a professionally designed site is the smarter investment. A custom-built design not only looks more polished than a website for free but also performs better, adapts to growth and includes features that DIY website builders can’t always offer.
Your website should do more than just sit online – it should act as a business tool that works around the clock. Whether it’s guiding customers through your services, supporting online sales or helping you rank higher in search results, a professional site is designed to deliver long-term value.
Choosing between a DIY website and a professional build comes down to your goals. If your website is central to your marketing and sales, investing in a professional design now can save time, money and frustration later.
Choosing the Right Web Designer
Look for someone whose past work matches your style, who communicates well, and who understands your goals. A good designer will work with you as a partner to bring your vision to life.
Everyone says they’re a great website builder, but there’s a big difference between putting a site online and creating one that actually works for your business. The best websites don’t just sit there – they attract the right visitors and turn them into customers. A drag-and-drop tool might help you publish quickly, but it won’t give you the strategy, SEO and custom features needed to promote your website and grow your business long term.
That’s where a professional designer comes in. At Maple Moon, we don’t just build pages, we design websites that are tailored to your goals. We focus on making your site fast, mobile-friendly and easy to update, while also building in features that help your business stand out. Choosing the right designer means you get more than a template – you get a partner who understands how to create a site that works hard for you 24/7.
Let’s create a site that’s designed around your goals and built to grow with you.
Start your journey with Maple Moon today.
