• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Services
    • New Website Development and Design
    • Website Updates, Maintenance, and Redesign
    • Web Consulting and Education
  • Portfolio
  • Website Tips & Resources
    • Articles on Websites and SEO
    • Successful Web Design Tips
    • Guide to Starting a New Website
  • About
    • Web Design Process
  • Contact

Adam Barkafski, Website Consultant

Websites for people who make a difference.

Adam Barkafski, Website Consultant

July 1, 2014 by Adam Barkafski

Professional vs. Do-It-Yourself Web Design

Are DIY web design services best for your business?

Websites are getting easier and easier for the individual to make. Plenty of online services provide the tools for you to make your own site in exchange for a monthly fee. Simply choose one of several premade templates, set up the number of pages you need, type in the text, and upload some photos. There’s no need to work with a web designer or developer.

But is it really that easy, or is it too good to be true?

Without identifying these services specifically (since this is not a full review of any of them), I will take a look at the general pros and cons of them as well as give you information to help you make the best decision for your own website.

Pros for do-it-yourself website services

  1. They’re usually easy and fast to use. Simple point-and-click interfaces, text editing, and photo uploading is usually all you need, and you can have a website done in a day with little to know technical skills necessary.
  2. There’s no large outlay of cash. While working with a web developer or designer often means that you need to pay for custom, professional services, the DIY options usually charge a monthly fee instead.
  3. SEO is improving. While many of these services had terrible search engine optimization tools to help your site be ranked well by Google and Bing, most have made strides to shore up their SEO offerings.

Cons for do-it-yourself website services

  1. There’s little customization. Your website’s design is limited to a few templates they offer, and there’s usually no way to tweak pieces of it here and there. You may trade flexibility and customization for ease of use.
  2. You keep paying monthly (or annual) fees. While it is true that you would be paying for domain name renewals and web hosting with a custom designed site, the fees are usually a bit lower than what the DIY services charge.
  3. You can’t take your site with you. If you wish to move to another service, or the service closes, you will probably find that your website is actually their property. You most likely wouldn’t be able to export your content or your design to be used elsewhere and would have to start from scratch. (This could also apply to your domain name if you register it with them.)
  4. You may not get the functionality you need. Whether it’s an ecommerce solution, a calendar function, or a product review page, not all DIY services have all possibilities available.

Learn what’s right for you

It’s your website, and only you know what you need it to do. There are times when a DIY website service may be the right way to go, perhaps for something temporary, when there’s little cash, or when design may not matter. But when custom design and functions matter, or when it’s important that you own your website and can take it anywhere you want, working with a professional may be your best bet.

The bottom line? Read the fine print of any agreement before you sign on. Know what you need, and find the solution that can meet those needs.

Filed Under: Web Design and Hosting Tagged With: SEO, Web Design

About the author

Adam Barkafski has been designing websites since 1998. He founded Dream Seed Multimedia in 2006 to offer affordable web design specifically for small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Since 2016, Adam works exclusively with WordPress websites for individuals who seek to make a positive difference.

Primary Sidebar

Need a new website?

Click here to learn what you need to do!

Articles to Help Improve Your Website

  • Internet and Technology
  • Marketing
  • Search Engine Optimization and Website Marketing
  • Web Design and Hosting

Footer

I’m ready to help

Let's start your new website.

What people are saying

  • My needs and preferences were thoroughly assessed and listened to, which made drafts and concepts right the first time and made the whole project flow smoothly.
    Lori Baer, Writer
  • Adam, you are great! You listened to what we wanted, and you produced it. We are extremely happy with the website! We will definitely come to you for all our website needs.
    Ronda Brubaker-Brooks, Beaver Creek Farm Cabins
  • Adam took the time to learn my business and to answer all my questions to help me learn how my website operates. Great job! Thanks!
    Bob Sims, Steel Expressions
  • You taught us so much, but the biggest thing was holding our hands through the process! You were awesome! We get great reviews on our website.
    Jody Sambrick, Red Rose Coffee Roasters
  • I truly felt my website and my business were as important to Adam as they are to me.
    Lori Baer, Writer
  • It has been a pleasure working with Adam. All my questions were always answered and our requests completed. Customer service is excellent, and the overall experience was very positive. We will definitely refer Adam to our coworkers and friends!
    Evelyn Billings, Billings Bilingual
  • Adam treats me like a friend and always takes the time to listen to me and understand my needs. I never feel like I have only two minutes to say what I need to.
    Linda Fisher, Wings of Angels
  • Thank you so much for your hard work and keeping our website up to date. We are so fortunate to be able to do business with you!
    Nadinne Ziegler, Unitarian Universalist Church of Lancaster
  • You worked hard to fit my needs when others proposed more expensive unneeded elements. Thanks for all your hard work and advice. You do an excellent job!
    Lance Noel, Spinning Moon Press
  • Not only has Adam been extremely helpful during the building of our site and in helping us to maintain it, but he has gone out of his way to provide ongoing assistance, tips, and education designed to help us succeed.
    Jennifer Murray, Bournelyf Special Camp
  • Adam’s professionalism and clear communication throughout the project made for an efficient and effective web development process.
    Lori Baer, Writer
  • You helped me through some confusing decisions and pointed out some important considerations that I hadn't thought of. I've gotten nothing but positive comments on the site. Thank you!
    N. Dianne Gadbois, Hana Bento
  • I am so impressed with Adam’s communication and can-do attitude! This project was a complete success, and I am so happy with the end result!
    Barbara Hostetler, HostetlerBenefits
  • You do create something from nothing, or at least from just a sketch on a page and create something ‘magical.’ You’ve taken our website ideas and made them come to life, and I just can’t thank you enough!
    Karen Mann, Grace United Church of Christ
  • No problem is too large or small…thank you for finding an answer to them all!
    Michelle Miller, Wheatland Custom Homes
  • Adam Barkafski is SUPER DUPER who is very interested in learning about his clients, their likes and dislikes. Working with Adam to create a website for my church was so easy. He is fun to work with and has some very good ideas and suggestions. Website updates are done very quickly. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
    Karen Mann, Grace United Church of Christ

Get in touch

  • Adam Barkafski, Website Consultant
  • Adam Barkafski
  • Email here
  • business 717-723-8680
  • P.O. Box 423
    Smoketown, PA 17576 United States

More

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Site Map

Copyright © 2021 Adam J. Barkafski and his licensors. All rights reserved.