The Downside of DIY
Figures from data platform Statista reveal that during 2020’s first lockdown, online sales of DIY products increased nearly 50% year-on-year. Subsequently, retail giant Kingfisher plc, owner of brands including B&Q and Screwfix, have posted pre-tax profits of £756m. Apparently, the UK has fallen in love with DIY. And we get it, sort of. From tiling the bathroom to baking banana bread and Tom Daley’s cardigan, DIY can be cathartic, rewarding, fun even. But it can also be a total nightmare. If you don’t believe us, take a look at these terrifying homemade cake fails.
Gas installation, hedgehog cakes and, dare we say, website design - some things are simply best left to the pros. And not just because of swear jar savings. Here’s why we genuinely think there is a downside to DIY...
Lots of us are aware of Wix, GoDaddy and co’s simple-to-create, stunning-to-see website promises. Combined with cheap rates on offer, the temptation to design your own site can seem like a no-brainer. But do DIY websites really deliver? Let’s break it down.
Firstly, cost. Whether you’re an individual, start-up or small business, the bottom line counts. DIY design will generally allow you build a website for less, but ‘free’ or ‘bargain’ deals often come with caveats. Wix, for example, will insist on large amounts of advertising space on your site – not a great look. There are also usually charges for each ‘extra’ function or service you add to your website, many of which would be included as standard by a professional web design company. These costs can soon add up if you want a nicely functioning website.
Which brings us to coding. Adverts aside, DIY web design companies can leave you with a good-looking site for not a lot of effort. The problem is that good-looking does not equal successful. To achieve any sort of site that functions well, you’ll need to master a certain level of coding. Yes, even with DIY sites. Depending on your skill set, this may or may not be a big deal, but coding can be a bit like a dark art and it takes time and practise to nail.
As does SEO. Most major DIY design companies have really improved their SEO offerings, but it still requires knowledge and effort to maximise your website’s potential. Google constantly changes the way it reviews sites and even pro designers put effort into staying ahead of the curve. Without on-point SEO and coding, a good-looking website won’t attract more business. Potential customers who can’t find or fathom your website will soon head elsewhere.
Speaking of customers, professional web designers understand them. Especially regarding how they react to information, pages, menus, images and calls-to-action. This perspective can make a massive difference, but it’s a service DIY companies can’t provide.
DIY design may seem cheaper and easier at first, but the cost of lost customers through a bad site along with the time and effort needed to make a good one can soon make it a vastly more difficult and expensive option.
Here at preWeb, quite frankly we believe your website deserves the best. Our experience in professional web design can save you the hassle of DIY and provide you with a bespoke, stylish and functional website – ready to bring in business, not hidden costs. Contact us to see how we can work with you, we won’t offer to grout your tiles though, sorry.