Wix. Squarespace. Weebly. They promise professional websites for free (or nearly free). For hobby projects, they're fantastic. For businesses, they often cost more than they save.
The Hidden Costs
Monthly Fees That Add Up
That "free" plan shows their branding all over your site. To look professional, you need a paid plan—often £15-30/month. Over five years, that's £900-1800, and you still don't own your website.
Limited Functionality
Need a feature that isn't in their templates? You're stuck. Want to integrate with a specific business tool? Maybe, if they support it. Your business has to fit their box.
Poor Performance
DIY builders create bloated code that loads slowly. They prioritise ease of use over efficiency. Your visitors—and Google—notice the difference.
Template Limitations
That beautiful template you chose? Thousands of other businesses are using it too. Customisation only goes so far before you hit walls.
The Real Cost: Your Time
This is the big one. Hours spent fighting with templates, watching tutorials, troubleshooting issues—that's time not spent running your business. What's an hour of your time worth?
One business owner spent 40+ hours building a DIY site, only to have it professionally rebuilt six months later. "I should have just done it right the first time."
When DIY Makes Sense
DIY platforms can work for:
- Testing a business idea before committing
- Hobby or personal projects
- Very simple one-page sites
- Organisations with zero budget and lots of volunteer time
When to Go Professional
Consider professional development when:
- Your website is a key part of your customer journey
- You need specific functionality or integrations
- Speed and performance matter for SEO
- You want to own your website, not rent it
- Your time is valuable
The cheapest option isn't always the most cost-effective. Sometimes investing upfront saves money—and headaches—in the long run.
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