The short answer
Use a DIY builder like Wix or Squarespace if your website is simple, you are on a tight budget, and you have the time and interest to build and maintain it yourself. Hire a web designer if your website is important to how you get customers, needs to rank on Google, needs any custom features, or you would rather spend your time running your business than building a website.
Most small businesses actually fall into the second group. A lot of them just do not realize it until a year of tinkering has quietly gone by.
When a DIY builder makes sense
Wix and Squarespace are genuinely good tools in the right situation. You should probably use one if:
- You are testing a brand-new idea or side business and just need something up.
- You need a very simple brochure site and nothing more.
- Your budget is tight and you have the time and patience to learn the tools.
- You are comfortable with tech and have a decent eye for design.
- You do not really depend on Google or your website to bring in customers.
When you should hire a web designer
On the other hand, it is usually worth hiring someone if:
- Your website is a real source of leads or sales, not just an online business card.
- You need to show up on Google for what your customers search.
- You need custom features like online booking, a store, or a quote calculator.
- You want it to look distinct and professional, not like a template everyone recognizes.
- You do not have hours to spend learning software and fiddling with layouts.
- You want it done right once, instead of rebuilt in a year.
The hidden costs of doing it yourself
DIY looks cheaper on the surface, but the real costs tend to show up later. First is your time: a decent site can eat dozens of hours you could have spent on your actual business. Second is the generic look; visitors can usually tell a template site, and it quietly costs you trust.
Third is performance. Templates plus a do-it-yourself setup rarely rank well on Google or turn as many visitors into customers as a site designed for both. And fourth is the trap at the end: moving off Wix or Squarespace later usually means rebuilding, because your site is locked inside their platform.
If you want to see what a professionally built site would actually cost you, you can price your project in about a minute, no email required.
You do not have to choose between cheap and good
There is a middle path a lot of owners miss. Hiring someone does not have to mean a big check upfront. I offer all-in monthly plans that cover the build, hosting, and ongoing upkeep, so you get a professional site and someone who maintains it, without a large bill on day one.
That way you get the quality of hired help at a price closer to the DIY tools you were comparing against.
Want this handled for you?
I am Matt, a Columbus web designer, and I build fast, professional sites for small businesses. You work directly with me, not a team. If you are torn between doing it yourself and hiring someone, book a free Zoom and I will give you an honest take on what makes sense for your situation, even if that turns out to be DIY.
Frequently asked
Is Wix or Squarespace good for SEO?
They can rank for low-competition, local searches if you set them up carefully, but they are limited compared to a professionally built site. For anything competitive, you will usually get more from a site built with SEO in mind from the start.
Can I move off Wix or Squarespace later?
You can, but it usually means rebuilding, because these platforms keep your site locked inside them. Your content and domain can move; the actual site cannot. That is worth knowing before you invest a year into one.
Is a DIY website really cheaper in the long run?
Often no. The monthly fee is low, but the hours you spend, the leads a generic site misses, and the eventual rebuild add up. For a business that depends on its website, hiring is usually cheaper per customer gained.
How much does hiring a web designer cost?
Less than most people expect. Many small businesses do well on an all-in plan in the range of 100 to 500 dollars a month, or a one-time build if they prefer. You can price your own project on my instant estimator.