One of the biggest decisions business owners face when building a website is whether to do it themselves or hire a professional designer. And honestly? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your budget, your timeline, and how hands-on you want to be.
As a designer, I obviously love creating custom sites — but I also know DIYing your website can be the right move in certain seasons of business. Let’s break down the pros and cons of each path so you can figure out what’s best for you right now.
The DIY Route
DIYing your website can be a great choice, especially if you’re just starting out and need something up quickly.
Pros of DIY:
- Budget-friendly. You’ll spend more time than money.
- Creative control. You get to experiment and play with design ideas.
- Faster (sometimes). If you don’t need perfection, you can launch quickly.
Cons of DIY:
- Steep learning curve. Platforms like Showit, Squarespace, or WordPress have a learning period.
- Risk of missed details. From SEO to mobile responsiveness, it’s easy to overlook critical pieces.
- “Good enough” design. Without training, your site may not look or feel as professional as you’d like.
💡 Pro tip: If you go the DIY route, use tools that make life easier:
- Showit for drag-and-drop design flexibility.
- Canva for simple graphics and mockups.
- Google Fonts for free, professional font options.
Hiring a Designer
Bringing in a designer means you get expertise, strategy, and a polished product without spending hours figuring it out yourself.
Pros of Hiring a Designer:
- Professional quality. Your site will look cohesive, polished, and on-brand.
- Strategy built in. Designers don’t just make things pretty — we create sites that convert.
- Saved time. You can focus on running your business while someone else handles the design.
Cons of Hiring a Designer:
- Cost. Custom websites are an investment.
- Longer timelines. A professional build can take weeks or months depending on scope.
- Less flexibility. You’ll be collaborating instead of making every decision yourself.
The Middle Ground: Templates
Here’s the secret most people don’t talk about — there’s actually a third option that combines the best of both worlds: templates.
With a professionally-designed template, you get the polished, strategic foundation of a designer-built site but the affordability and flexibility of DIY.
Why templates work:
- Designed with strategy in mind (clear navigation, calls-to-action, SEO-friendly layouts).
- Easy to customize with your fonts, colors, and photos.
- Much faster than a custom build — you can launch in days instead of months.
💡 If you’re curious, check out my Showit Template Shop — every template is built with conversion-focused layouts and beautiful design baked in.
So… Which Is Right for You?
Ask yourself:
- What’s my budget right now? If funds are tight, DIY or templates might be your best bet.
- How much time do I have? If you need a site this month, DIY or templates will be faster.
- How important is strategy? If you want a long-term, high-converting site, investing in a designer could be worth it.
No Matter What You Choose, Don’t Skip the Basics
Whether you DIY, hire a designer, or go the template route, you need to make sure your site is set up for success. That’s where my Website Design Ultimate Checklist comes in.
It walks you step-by-step through the essentials every website needs — from design to strategy to launch — so you can feel confident no matter which path you take.
👉 Grab your free checklist here.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the “right” choice is the one that works for your business right now. Maybe that’s a DIY site you refine later, a template that gives you a professional edge today, or a custom build that takes your brand to the next level.
The key is to start with something strategic and intentional — because even the most beautiful site won’t work if it’s missing the basics.
And if you want a head start? My templates are always here to give you the polished, professional foundation you need.
