First things first. Thumbs up for moving on from a special breed of entrepreneurs – the 45 percent who don’t have a business website.
Now that you’ve decided to enter the digital age, you’re probably wondering whether to do it yourself or hire someone to build a website.
In this article, we’re exploring the pros and cons of both options, and ultimately render a verdict on which way to go.
Do It Yourself
The DIY movement is picking up steam by the day.
People are opting to DIY almost every task, from the simple such as fixing a leaky faucet, to the downright dangerous such as repairing a leaky roof. The reasons for DIY’ing are as varied as the tasks, but the urge to save a buck and learn a new skill are the primary ones.
What’s the worst that can happen when DIY’ing a website? There is no electrical circuitry to navigate. Neither will writing code blow up your computer.
Well, there’s certainly no harm developing a website, but when it’s a business website, stakes are higher.
Yes, you can follow DIY tutorials and piece together a website, but it’ll barely be functional and attractive. And given that internet users don’t have time for sites with such qualities, potential customers will keep bouncing away.
Another reason not to DIY is time.
As a small business owner, your enterprise needs you 100 percent. Taking time off to build a website means taking your eyes off the ball.
You cannot afford that. Founders taking on too many responsibilities is a leading cause of business failure.
Going the Pro Route
Hiring a professional website developer costs money. About $1000 will get you a decent site, but you can pay up to $5,000 or more depending on size and functionality.
If you’re on a shoestring budget (as most small businesses are), spending such an amount on a website sounds like an extravagance.
But here is the thing.
The return on investment in a business website is impressive. Look, a website is a digital storefront. In a country where 79 percent of the people shop online, the site will open up your business to countless sales opportunities.
A professional will build a site that not only meets the needs of your business, but also the standards of the web. A clean design, mobile compatibility, fast load times, effective navigation…. you name it. Your site will have it.
In a professional, you have a digital marketing expert. They will optimize your site for search, enhancing your business’ chances of showing up in the first page of search engine results.
Finally, business websites need ongoing maintenance and there is the risk of cyber attacks. A professional will ensure the site is up to date and protect your business against cyber threats.
You Have to Hire Someone to Build a Website
Evidently, the smarter move is to hire someone to build a website. But not just someone. Read more to gain insight into the kind of professional you need.
And in that reading mode, be sure to explore our blog for more business tips.
