Should You Build Your Own Website or Hire a Designer?
A website builder lets you choose a design and add your own words, photos and pages. Hiring a designer gives you help planning and building the site. Both can work for a small business; the choice depends on what you need and how much time you want to spend on it.
Updated: 7 September 2026.
A website builder may suit you if…
- You need a fairly straightforward site, portfolio, booking page or small shop.
- A ready-made design has the features you need.
- You are happy to write the text, choose photos and learn the editor.
- You have time to check the pages on a phone and keep them up to date.
Check what the plan includes before spending time building. Email, online payments, bookings and extra features may cost more. Some builders make it difficult to move the finished design to another service.
A designer may help if…
- You want help deciding which pages and features you need.
- The site needs to connect to stock, booking or customer-management software.
- You need experience with accessibility, moving an old website or fixing technical problems.
- You would rather spend your time looking after customers.
You can also ask a designer to set up a website builder for you and show you how to maintain it. The work you do yourself and the help you buy do not have to be all or nothing.
Compare the full cost
For a builder, add up the ongoing plan, website address, email, paid features and payment fees. Allow for your own time too.
For a designer, ask whether the quote includes planning, writing, images, building, testing and support. Check monthly or annual charges as well as the initial price.
Try one important page
Before building everything, try the page customers will use most. Add your own text and photos, then see how it works on a phone. If you need bookings or payments, try those too.
Ask someone unfamiliar with the business whether they can understand what you offer and find the next step. This can help you decide whether the builder suits you or whether you would value more help.
Check how you will look after it
Make sure you can access the website and domain accounts. Ask what can be saved or moved if you leave, and who will help when something goes wrong.
Gather your opening hours, prices, contact details, policies and photos before the full build. Having those ready helps whether you are building the site yourself or working with a designer.