July 11, 2021
DIY website builders have flourished in popularity over the years, and with good reason. With the increase in applications for new US businesses hitting a 13-year high in 2020 , many new business owners find themselves in need of a quick, digital presence. In addition to the benefits of having an SEO-friendly website , a digital presence gives your customers a place to go to collect information about your services and availability. The question, then, is how to get a website off the ground quickly. If your hands are full filing for permits, hiring new talent, and sourcing new customers, you might not have time to become an expert in website development and marketing. That’s where two possible solutions come into play: use a DIY website builder or hire a professional web development agency to get you started. Not sure which option is right for you? Let’s dig in. The Benefits of a DIY Builder A DIY web builder allows anyone to build a website from scratch. Without having to know how to code, these helpful tools offer startups, entrepreneurs, and even larger companies the opportunity to personally design and maintain their websites. These solutions are often very cost-effective, running you only a few dollars per month. You can launch a website in just a couple of days once you’ve written content and decided on a design direction. Built-in themes mean you don’t need to be a professional designer to have a sleek, modern-looking website. The DIY website builder is designed for simplicity, with drag-and-drop functionality and automatic scaling so your site looks great on desktop, mobile, and tablet views. Many of these builders will have built-in security, hosting, and simple SEO plug-ins, simplifying the process of running a professional, secure website. The Benefits of an Agency Working with an agency means you will have a custom, carefully crafted website built by professionals. This option is often best for companies with no marketing experience, who need a lot of customization, or who want to perfect their digital presence to drive leads and sales. An agency will help you write catchy, sales-driven content for your website. With a professional eye for design, they can assist with branding suggestions in addition to general design work. A seamless user experience on your website is key, and they come equipped with the know-how to provide that. You’ll have the ability to customize both the design of the website and the functionality of the website, including app integrations. Often, an agency will provide customer support with important, skilled tasks like search engine optimization (SEO) and ongoing content or marketing needs. How to Make the Decision To choose between a DIY builder and a professional agency, consider a few core questions: Do you have the skills necessary to create a professional website with a solid user experience? Customers will make an immediate decision about your company based on what they see on your website. A poorly designed website can cost a fortune in the long run if it drives customers away. Do you have the funds to hire a professional agency? A DIY builder will, typically, cost substantially less than hiring a team of professionals to write, design, and launch your website. Do you need a lot of customization? While some DIY builders can handle customization through app integrations or plug-ins, true customization is best done with the help of a professional team. If you plan to drive most of your sales via your website, it might be worth the expense to build a website that answers that call. We’re Here to Help Regardless of which tactic you choose, The Creative Freeway is available to make your life easier. With a DIY website builder and a team of professionals, we have the service that fits your goals. Let’s chat .