A Guide for Coaches, Consultants, and the Self-Employed
If you're fairly comfortable with technology, don't mind working with templates, and have plenty of time, a DIY website platform can be a perfectly reasonable place to start.
A custom designed WordPress website gives you much more flexibility than a template site and it can grow with your business with many useful features.
So, you decided to take the big leap and leave the “safe” corporate job. Maybe you got laid off and now want to start your own business. Possibly that side hustle you’ve been focusing on is really taking off. Or you could be an entrepreneur who just received venture capital from an investor for your big idea.
You will need a few things to get the business off the ground. Besides a business bank account and business formation you will need a website.
Should you try to DIY (do it yourself) or hire a professional web designer?
When DIY Makes Sense
There's absolutely nothing wrong with starting with a DIY website if that's what your budget allows. The important thing is getting your business launched. As your business grows, your website can grow with it.
If you’re somewhat techy, don’t mind templates, and have a lot of time available, a DIY platform could be the way to go. I refer people to Squarespace, WordPress.com, and even GoDaddy websites for a starter site. I’m not really keen on Wix, but some people love this platform.
DIY platforms have come a long way. They offer attractive templates and make it possible to launch a website fairly quickly. The trade-off is flexibility.
You'll mostly be working within the limits of a template, so it can be difficult to create a website that truly reflects your personality and brand. Many lower-cost templates also end up looking "cookie cutter" similar, making it harder to stand out from your competition.
Another thing to think about is ownership and flexibility. With many DIY platforms, your website builder, hosting, and account are bundled into one subscription. That works well for many businesses, but if you eventually want more customization or decide to move your website elsewhere, making that transition can take extra effort.
Why Many Businesses Choose a Professional Designer
I've worked with many business owners who started building their own websites with the best intentions. A few months or even years later, they'd call me and say they realized they would rather spend their time working on their business rather than trying to figure out page layouts and plugins.
I know the cost of a custom designed website is a primary concern. Here in South Jersey, most professionally designed small business websites range between $1,000 and $6,000, depending on the project's size and complexity. However, it's a worthwhile investment.
A professionally designed website isn't just about making something look pretty. A custom designed website is a powerful tool to establish trust, attract the right prospects, broadcast your brand, and alleviate administrative tasks.
A custom WordPress website gives you much more flexibility than a template site. It's designed around your business, your audience, and your goals - not someone else's template.
You will have your own domain name, and the option to host it on the web server of your choice.
You'll also have room to grow. Whether you want to add online scheduling, a blog, a client portal, or other features later, your website can grow along with your business. In addition, they are mobile-friendly and get an SEO boost from Google. You can log in to make changes.
At the end of the day, your website should be working for you - bringing in new opportunities, building trust, and giving potential clients confidence that they're in the right place.
Do you have any questions? Schedule a friendly chat with me!