DIY Builder vs. Hiring a Web Designer
DIY builders promise a website in an afternoon. Sometimes that's exactly right — and sometimes it costs you more in lost time and customers than hiring a pro would. Here's how to decide.
| Site Refresh | a DIY builder | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | $500 one-time (care plans from $149/mo) | $0–$60/mo + many hours of your time |
| Time to launch | ~2 weeks, done for you | Your nights and weekends |
| Design | Custom, on-brand | Template you assemble |
| Who builds it | A dedicated designer | You |
| Speed & SEO | Fast (Cloudflare) + SEO built in | Varies / your responsibility |
| Ongoing updates | We handle them (optional) | You do them |
| You own it | Yes — site, content, domain | Often locked to their platform |
| Best for | Local businesses who want it done right | Owners with time who enjoy DIY |
Competitor pricing and features reflect publicly listed information as of 2026 and may change — check each provider's site for current details.
The real cost of DIY
The monthly fee is low, but your time isn't free. Many owners spend dozens of hours and still end up with a slow, generic site that doesn't convert — then hire someone anyway.
What hiring a designer gets you
A professional handles design, copy, speed, and SEO, and delivers a finished site in about two weeks. You stay focused on your business, and the result is built to bring in customers.
The verdict
DIY if you have time and enjoy it. Hire a designer if you'd rather get a professional, conversion-ready site done for you — fast.
Want it done for you?
Custom websites for local businesses from $500, launched in about two weeks.
Get a free quote