How much is your “DIY” website really costing you?

As a small business owner, you know the importance of a strong online presence. But when it comes to creating a website, you’re faced with a choice that can seem insurmountable: go it alone with a DIY website using an online platform, or hire a professional? The appeal of a quick and affordable solution is strong, especially if you’re a start-up. But is it really the most economical solution in the long run? Behind the promises of simplicity and low initial costs often lie unexpected expenses and challenges.

The appeal of “homemade”

The world of website creation tools is designed to attract you with simple, intuitive solutions. Platforms such as Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify promise to launch a professional-looking website in just a few clicks. You can even use artificial intelligence tools to generate content and design in the blink of an eye. It’s fast, it seems easy, and, most importantly, it’s incredibly affordable at first glance.

But are these savings real, or do they hide much higher costs? That is the question we will explore together.

The obvious costs (the price tag)

These are the costs that you see immediately and budget for:

• Platform subscriptions: Monthly or annual plans for platforms such as Shopify, Wix, or Squarespace.
• Hosting and domain name: Your website address (such as animoclic.com) and the space on a server to host it.
• Themes and extensions: Design templates or features (contact forms, photo galleries, etc.) that are not included in your basic plan.

At this stage, the cost seems quite reasonable, which explains why so many entrepreneurs are getting into DIY. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

Hidden costs (the ones nobody tells you about)

Here, we will explore the costs that do not appear on the invoice but directly affect your time and the growth of your business.

The cost of your time

Creating a website isn’t just a matter of “drag and drop.” It’s a process that requires planning, design, content writing, and a lot of debugging. If you’re just starting out, you’ll spend dozens of hours learning the platform, adjusting fonts, optimizing images, and trying to figure out why that darn button won’t centre itself. That precious time could be invested in your passion, such as offering dog training classes or creating new products for your pet accessory store. Every hour spent designing your website is an hour less spent doing what you love and growing your business.

The cost of visitor abandonment

Imagine a customer looking for a cat boarding facility in your area. They find your website, click on it, but the page takes forever to load. They will simply give up and go to a competitor. A slow, poorly optimized, or mobile-unfriendly website drives visitors away before they even get to see what you have to offer. This is an immediate loss of revenue, but one that is difficult to quantify.

The cost of security and maintenance

Once your website is online, the work doesn’t stop there. DIY platforms can have security flaws, plugins that are no longer updated, or technical failures. Who takes care of patches, software updates, or security against cyberattacks? It’s another burden added to the management of your business.

The cost of lacking technical support

When you use a DIY platform, you are often left to solve problems on your own. This means spending hours searching forums, reading documentation, or waiting for a response from customer service, which, depending on the platform, may or may not be responsive or effective. You take on the role of both the designer and the technical support team for your website.

The cost of limited customization

DIY tools are typically based on predefined themes or templates. If you want a design that truly reflects your brand, or a very specific feature that isn’t included in the basic package, it can become very expensive, if not impossible. This lack of customization can have a direct impact on your company’s credibility, as a design that doesn’t match your brand image on social media and your website can look amateurish and create confusion for your customers.

The cost of integrating growth tools

As your business grows, you may need to add new features (e.g., a booking system, online store, chatbot, etc.) that simplify your operations and increase sales. For DIY platforms, this often involves purchasing plugins or third-party applications, which can quickly drive up your monthly bill. What’s more, integrating these tools can be complex and cause technical conflicts on your site.

The cost of the missed opportunity

A homemade website is rarely optimized for conversions (turning a visitor into a customer). Without a clear UX (user experience) strategy, compelling copywriting, and well-thought-out calls to action, you will miss out on many sales opportunities. What’s more, poor search engine optimization (SEO) means your website will get lost in the depths of Google. If pet owners can’t find you, you can’t serve them. This is perhaps the most significant hidden cost of all.

The true cost is not what you pay, but what you lose.

At the end of the day, the real question isn’t “how much does a homemade website cost?” but rather “how much does it cost me not to have a professional website?” Lost time, customers who leave, missed sales opportunities, and a lack of credibility can cost you much more than the initial investment in a custom-built site.

Investing in a professional solution

Hiring a professional should not be seen as an expense, but as a strategic investment for your business. A custom website offers a huge potential return on investment (ROI):

• Greater credibility: A professional design boosts your customers’ trust.
• Higher conversion rate: A well-designed and optimized website turns visitors into customers.
• Better SEO: Experts ensure that your website is visible on Google.
• Evolution: Your site can grow and scale with your business, without limitations.

By delegating the technical side of things, you can focus on what you do best: building a business that works for you, not the other way around. It’s time to let a pro take the reins so you can concentrate on your passion.