7 Reasons DIY Web Design Is a Rotten Idea

Having a website for your small business or personal brand is a necessity these days. Truth is a poorly designed website can do more harm than good.

If you think you can google, “what is website builder” and go it alone, you’re setting yourself up for failure and here’s why.

What is Website Builder Going to do For You?

Building an effective website takes skill, experience and months of planning. Something that you put together on a free platform is not going to be able to compete with a carefully thought-out design and here’s why.

1. SEO is Non-Existent

One of the most important reasons to have a website is so that you can take advantage of digital marketing.

This type of online marketing uses Search Engine Optimization to draw attention to your business. The code and structure of your website play an important role in this.

When you use a free website tool like Google website builder, you have no control over this. These websites are flash-based. This means that search engines can’t read them, making you invisible online.

You can’t add new content to these websites either, so you can’t rank for fresh content. Google regards fresh content as a major indicator of a worthwhile website.

2. Your Business Looks Bad

When your clients eventually find your website, it won’t impress them. Using a free online website builder makes you look like a cheapskate and creates an unprofessional impression.

3. Limited Design Options

The number of free website templates available is far outnumbered by the number of free websites. This means your website isn’t as unique as you think.

You can’t move with the times design-wise if you are using a free website template for your business. Even good website builders usually only give you one page to play with. This is bad for SEO and bad for business.

4. No Mobile Responsiveness

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that mobile is the way to go. Most people use the internet from their phones these days.

Google recommends responsive web design to make things easier for internet users. Website builders don’t give you this option.

5. No Support

When things go wrong – and they will – you have no one to turn to. You shouldn’t have to spend your valuable time trying to figure out what you did wrong.

Having a dedicated team to look after your website frees you up to concentrate on growing your business.

6. Not CMS Based

A content management system is your key to editing, writing and organizing your content online. You have total control over what your clients see when they log on.

Free website builders offer static HTML content that cannot compete with this flexibility.

7. Slow Website Speed

Slow load speeds are the number one reason why internet users hit the back button when they land on a website. If your website takes longer than 4 seconds to load, 40% of people will leave.

Make the Right Choices for Your Business

So, what is website builder really going to do for you? Truth is, it’s going to do more harm than good.

As a small business owner, you may not need a huge website, but you need one that’s tailor-made for your goals.

Get in touch to discuss a better option.