Building Your Own Website vs. Hiring a Web Designer: What’s Best for Your Small Business?

If you run a small business, chances are you’ve worn a lot of hats—from marketing and sales to admin and accounts. Building a website might feel like one more thing you can (and maybe should) do yourself. Platforms like Wix make it easy to get started.

But as your business grows, so do your needs. So, how do you decide whether it’s time to bring in a web designer or whether DIY is still working for you?

Here’s a friendly guide to help you weigh it up.

1. First Impressions Count

Your website is often the first place people check before they call, visit, or buy. A clean, easy-to-use site builds trust immediately, which is especially important for SMEs competing with bigger names.

A designer can help create a site that feels polished, professional, and uniquely yours, without it looking like a cookie-cutter template.

2. Strategy Matters as Much as Style

A web designer doesn’t just make things look nice. They think about how visitors use your site—how they move around it, where they click, what draws them in, and what helps them take the next step (whether that’s getting in touch, booking, or buying).

That thinking can make a real difference for small businesses looking to convert visitors into loyal customers.

3. Time is a Precious Resource

Let’s be honest—building and managing a website can take up hours you probably don’t have. And when you hit a snag or can’t get things looking quite right, it’s easy to get stuck.

Working with a designer gives you back that time, so you can focus on the parts of your business that need you most.

4. DIY Platforms Have Limits

Wix is brilliant for getting started. But as your business grows, you might find the templates or features start to feel restrictive. Want to add a unique layout? A custom booking form? Better SEO?

A web designer can help tailor your site to fit your business, not the other way around.

5. SEO, Speed & Mobile Readiness

Search engines care about things like loading speed, how your site looks on mobile, and whether it’s built in a way they can read easily. These are the things that can affect whether people find your site in the first place.

Designers tend to build with all that in mind, which gives your site a stronger foundation for visibility and growth.

6. Support When You Need It

Running a small business can be lonely, especially when tech things go wrong. Having someone you can turn to for support—even after the site goes live—can be a big weight off your shoulders.

Final Thoughts

If you’re running an SME, your website is one of your most valuable tools. Whether you choose to build it yourself or work with a designer, the key is making sure it supports your goals and reflects your business.

There’s no wrong answer, just the one that works best for you right now.

(And if you ever want a second opinion or someone to bounce ideas off, Launch & Grow is always happy to help—no pressure, no pushy sales talk.)