You've finally decided your small business needs a website. But now comes the big question: should you build it yourself using a platform like Wix, or hire a professional web designer?
It's a decision thousands of small business owners face every year. And there's no universal right answer-but there is a right answer for you.
In this guide, we'll break down the real costs, hidden time commitments, and long-term implications of both options. By the end, you'll know exactly which path makes sense for your business goals and budget.
The DIY Website Option: What You Need to Know
Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com have made it possible for anyone to create a website without writing a single line of code. They're affordable, accessible, and marketed heavily toward small business owners.
But is "possible" the same as "practical"?
The True Cost of a DIY Website
At first glance, DIY platforms seem incredibly affordable. Wix Business Basic runs around £17/month (£204/year), Squarespace Business is £18/month (£216/year), and WordPress.com Business costs £20/month (£240/year).
However, the real cost includes more than your subscription:
- Premium templates: £50–£150
- Third-party apps and plugins: £10–£50/month
- Stock photography: £100–£300
- Domain name: £10–£20/year
- Email hosting (if not included): £3–£6/user/month
Total first-year cost for a DIY website: £300–£700
That looks reasonable-until you factor in your time.
The Hidden Time Investment
Building a website yourself isn't just about dragging and dropping elements. You'll need to:
- Learn the platform (5–15 hours)
- Plan your site structure and content (5–10 hours)
- Design and build your pages (15–40 hours)
- Source and optimise images (5–10 hours)
- Set up forms, integrations, and analytics (3–8 hours)
- Test across devices and browsers (3–5 hours)
Total time investment: 36–88 hours
If you value your time at even £25/hour, that's £900–£2,200 in "sweat equity"-often more than hiring a professional would cost.
Where DIY Websites Fall Short
Research shows that 64% of small business owners find updating and maintaining a DIY website challenging after the initial build. Common frustrations include:
- Design limitations: Templates restrict your creativity and brand expression
- Mobile responsiveness issues: Pages that look great on desktop often break on mobile
- Slow loading speeds: Bloated code from drag-and-drop builders affects performance
- SEO constraints: Limited control over technical SEO elements
- Security concerns: Basic plans often lack robust security features
- Scalability problems: What works for 5 pages struggles at 20
Perhaps most telling: businesses with professionally designed websites are 50% more likely to report being satisfied with their online presence than those using DIY builders.
The Professional Web Design Option: Investment vs. Expense
Hiring a web designer feels like a bigger financial commitment-because it is. But understanding what you actually get helps reframe the cost as an investment rather than an expense.
What Does a Professional Website Actually Cost?
Professional web design pricing varies enormously based on complexity and provider:
- Freelance designer: £500–£2,000 (basic custom design, limited revisions)
- Small agency/specialist: £1,500–£5,000 (custom design, SEO foundations, training)
- Large agency: £5,000–£20,000+ (full branding, custom features, ongoing support)
For most small businesses, working with a specialist or small agency in the £1,500–£3,500 range delivers the best value.
What Professional Web Design Includes
When you hire a web designer, you're not just paying for a pretty website. A good professional delivers:
Strategic planning:
- Competitor analysis
- User journey mapping
- Conversion optimisation
- Content strategy guidance
Technical excellence:
- Custom, brand-aligned design
- Mobile-first responsive build
- Fast loading speeds (under 3 seconds)
- Proper SEO setup from day one
- Security certificates and best practices
- Analytics and tracking integration
Ongoing value:
- Professional training on managing your site
- Technical support when things go wrong
- Updates and maintenance options
- Room to scale as you grow
The ROI of Professional Web Design
Here's where the numbers get interesting. Studies consistently show:
- Businesses with professional websites generate 40% more enquiries than those with DIY sites
- First impressions are 94% design-related-visitors judge your credibility in 0.05 seconds
- 38% of visitors will stop engaging with a website if the layout is unattractive
- Professional sites rank higher in search results due to better technical SEO foundations
If your website generates just one additional £500 project or retains one customer who might have gone elsewhere, a professional site often pays for itself within months.
Wix vs Hiring a Web Designer: Head-to-Head Comparison
Let's compare the two options across the factors that matter most to small businesses:
- Upfront cost: DIY £300–£700 vs Professional £1,500–£5,000
- Time investment: DIY 36–88 hours vs Professional 5–10 hours (your input)
- Design quality: DIY template-based vs Professional custom to your brand
- Mobile optimisation: DIY variable vs Professional guaranteed
- SEO foundations: DIY basic vs Professional comprehensive
- Loading speed: DIY often slow vs Professional optimised
- Scalability: DIY limited vs Professional built for growth
- Ongoing support: DIY community forums vs Professional direct help
- Ownership: DIY platform-dependent vs Professional you own everything
When a DIY Website Makes Sense
Building your own website can be the right choice if:
- You're testing a business idea and need minimal online presence quickly
- Your budget is genuinely constrained and you have more time than money
- You enjoy learning new skills and have realistic expectations about the time commitment
- Your industry doesn't rely heavily on first impressions (though few don't)
- You only need a simple, 3-5 page site with no complex functionality
If these describe your situation, platforms like Wix or Squarespace can get you online affordably. Just go in with realistic expectations about the limitations.
When Hiring a Web Designer Is Worth It
A professional website makes more sense when:
- Your website is a primary source of leads or sales (most service businesses)
- You compete with established businesses who have polished online presences
- Your time is valuable and better spent on your actual expertise
- You've tried DIY and feel frustrated with the results or process
- You want to appear credible to potential clients or partners
- You plan to grow and need a site that scales with you
For most established small businesses, the question isn't really "can I afford a professional website?" It's "can I afford not to have one?"
Questions to Ask Before You Decide
Before committing to either path, answer these honestly:
- What's my hourly rate? If building a DIY site takes 50 hours, would you pay yourself £1,250+ to do it?
- How important is my website to generating revenue? The more crucial it is, the more professional help makes sense.
- Do I actually enjoy this kind of work? Building websites can be rewarding-or incredibly frustrating. Know yourself.
- What's my timeline? Need a site in two weeks? Professional help delivers faster.
- How do my competitors present themselves online? If they look polished, you need to match or exceed that standard.
The Middle Ground: Hybrid Options
You don't always have to choose between fully DIY or fully custom. Consider:
- Professionally designed template setup: A designer configures a quality template to your brand (£500–£1,000)
- DIY build with professional review: Build it yourself, then pay for a professional audit and improvements
- Managed website services: Fixed monthly fee covers professional design, hosting, and ongoing updates
These options can deliver near-professional results at reduced cost, making them ideal for small businesses who want quality without enterprise budgets.
Making Your Decision
Here's a simple framework:
Choose DIY if: Your budget is under £500, you have 40+ hours available, and your website isn't your primary customer acquisition channel.
Choose professional if: You value your time, your website matters to your business success, and you want something that represents your brand properly from day one.
Choose a hybrid approach if: You want professional quality but need to keep costs manageable, and you're happy to be involved in the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wix good enough for a small business website?
Wix can work for very simple small business websites, but most growing businesses outgrow its limitations within 1-2 years. Common issues include slow loading speeds, limited SEO capabilities, and design constraints that make it hard to stand out from competitors.
How much should a small business spend on a website?
Most small businesses should budget £1,500–£3,500 for a professionally designed website that will serve them well for 3-5 years. When you factor in the time savings and increased lead generation, this typically delivers strong return on investment.
Can I switch from Wix to a professional website later?
Yes, but it's essentially starting from scratch. Wix sites can't be exported, so you'll lose the time and money invested in your DIY build. If you think you'll eventually want a professional site, starting there often makes more financial sense.
What's the biggest mistake small businesses make with websites?
Undervaluing the importance of first impressions. Research shows visitors form opinions about your business within seconds of landing on your site. A budget website can cost you customers you'll never even know you lost.
Ready to Discuss Your Website Options?
Whether you're leaning toward DIY, professional design, or something in between, we're happy to help you think through the decision.
Book a free consultation to discuss your specific needs-with no pressure to use our services. Sometimes a quick conversation is all you need to move forward confidently.