Which is the Best Solution for Designing a Website?

So, in 2020, you need a website for your business (regardless of how big or small), and it has to be visually appealing and functional in order to keep consumers engaged. And that's when we get to the question of how to build that website. In fact, there are numerous ways for a business owner to design and create an attractive website for themselves from full-service website designing companies to do-it-yourself services. Let's take a little bit of a closer glance at each of these methods so that you can decide which is the way to get the best website design for your business success.

DIFM (do it for me)

Pros

• Professional website designers
• Effortless process
• Saves you time and energy

Cons

• No upkeep involved
• Costs more than DIY options

The do-it-for-me (DIFM) website design services are the most popular choices for business owners when deciding between the various options. That's because if you're already running your own business, chances are you don't actually have the time or headspace to design a website for yourself. Ever heard the phrase "time is money"? Well, that certainly pertains to designing your website. This is not the type of thing you can just crank out in half an hour while you're in between clients. Creating a custom website design takes time, patience, ingenuity, editing, and more. So, while it may cost a little more than doing the whole thing yourself, the initial website design costs generally end up being a bargain compared to the value of your time you'd spend on the design yourself.

With DIFM website design services, you get the works. A team of professional designers and developers will design and create your entire website for you. Looking for an Ecommerce solution? Expert website design services like Hibu will have no trouble creating all the ins and outs of this type of website for you. Need a responsive website design (doesn’t everyone?)? Professional designers can do this, too. Portfolio website design, galleries, shopping carts, video backgrounds; you name it, they’ve got it. In short, whatever type of website design you need, the DIFM option is definitely the easiest way to get it.

And if you go with a service like Fiverr, you may be pleasantly surprised to find out that these projects can cost you a lot less than you’d imagine.

Full-Service Website Design

Pros

• The most professional website design
• You don’t have to lift a finger
• Continuous upkeep and site maintenance

Cons

• A relatively high-priced option
• Can run into issues if you don’t see eye to eye with designer

If you're looking for the most professional website designer that also comes with maintenance and upkeep of your site and content, then a full-service company is what you should be searching for. These services come with the benefit of peace of mind. You know 2 things:

1. Professional website designers will create a stunning website for your business, complete with appropriate infrastructure for your specific business needs. It’ll run like clockwork, look fabulous, and include everything you need.
2. Those same experts will keep the website up and running constantly. Any hiccups will be dealt with by the pros, and upgrades and facelifts are frequently included in this type of plan. You can usually get updated content for your site, as well, SEO and PPC management, and email and social media marketing guidance. 

Basically, the full-service website design agency gives you white-glove service from beginning to end.

DIY Builder (do it yourself)

Pros

• Significantly cheaper
• Fun if you like to dabble in design
• Plenty of tools for customization and functionality 

Cons

• Might not turn out as sleek as pro versions
• Can be confusing if you don’t know what you’re doing

Do-it-yourself services are at the opposite end of the website design pricing spectrum. Since you're doing the work on your own, the price of these services is significantly less than if you would hire a professional to do the work for you. Low upfront costs can be particularly appealing to SMBs and startups that don't have the budget for more extensive services right now anyway. 

The good news is that you can still get really cool website designs even if you are making them on your own. Website builders like Squarespace, Wix, and other DIY website design agencies offer hundreds of prefab templates for you to choose from. What's also great is that these templates are designed by professionals. So, you get an awesome design to start off with. 

Once you’ve decided on a good website design for your brand image, it’s time to customize it. Some services offer better editing tools. But the drag-and-drop seems to be the most popular. This gives you the ability to literally drag an element into its correct place on the screen, and drop it into place. Voila! DIY website design agencies usually have libraries of stock images you can use, too. Play around with the color, font, placement, etc. until you have the cool website design you love.

Good website design services frequently come along with other built-in features that you can tack onto your site for added functionality. Look for features like payment processing (if you have an online store), online booking, and social media integration for a truly impressive website design.

What's also nice about the DIY route is that you are in full control. You're not waiting around or working on someone else's time schedule. You don't have to explain your design choices or justify any additions or edits you make. There's no one to answer to, you have the final say in all matters design and management. Of course, as Uncle Ben taught us, "with great power comes great responsibility," but if you're running your own business, you're likely already aware of this concept and willing to take that responsibility on your shoulders, as well.

WordPress Site

Pros

• WordPress is free
• Lots of options
• Tons of support and integrations

Cons

• Not a ton of customization options
• Themes are more generic than custom website designs

WordPress websites are another way to get cool and modern website designs. The beauty of creating a WordPress site (or having someone make one for you) is the functionality of it. WordPress sites have a dizzying number of applications and widgets that work together with the platform. So, your options are enormous. In fact, many professional DIFM portfolio website design services will deliver a WordPress site because of all of the possibilities it gives you as a site owner.

WordPress sites are built using themes (sort of like templates) as the front-end of your site. Some are even available for free. WordPress is also known for offering simple website design tools. So, just about anyone can do it. If you are into the idea of simplicity, then this is a good option for you. WordPress is also a good option if you like the idea of getting a cheap website design.

Decisions, Decisions

Now that you understand your options, the real work begins. It’s up to you to decide which is the right type of service for you. The major factors that will be at play here include budget, time, technical skills, and level of customization you’re looking for.

An easy way to summarize it is this: DIY is perfect if you're looking for an affordable website design option. On the other hand, if you cannot stomach the idea of designing your own site, then go for the DIFM. These services deliver top website designs with a truly professional edge and none of the headaches. And if you can afford it, the full-service options are worth every penny. The most professional website designers will stay on top of site maintenance, content generation, and troubleshooting technical issues.

Fact Checked ByTyler Webb

Tyler Webb is a B2B content writer specializing in telecommunications, with expertise in topics like VoIP and unified communications. He has a Master's degree in English and a rich background in teaching literature.