DIY vs Hiring a Web Developer: What's the Best Way to Create Your Business Website?
Ready to Build Your Business Website? Here’s How to Make It Happen
Launching a business website has never been easier—but choosing the right path to get online can still feel overwhelming. Whether you’re using a modern website builder or hiring a pro, the key is finding the right fit for your goals, budget, and time.
At Branbee, we work with business owners at every stage—some want to roll up their sleeves and DIY, while others want a polished site done for them. Wherever you fall, here’s what you should know.
Your Website, Your Way
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to building a website. Some entrepreneurs need a simple landing page they can launch in a day, while others are building full eCommerce stores or booking platforms.
If you just need to get something up quickly—a page with your contact info, services, and a call to action—DIY tools can do the job well. But if you're aiming for custom features, advanced integrations, or unique branding, working with a designer or developer might be the better route.
The best part? Website tools today are so advanced that even do-it-yourself platforms can deliver professional results without writing a single line of code.
Why Your Business Needs a Website
1. Show Up Online and Be Taken Seriously
Your website is your digital storefront. It gives your business a place to live online—where customers can find you, learn about you, and reach out. A clean, functional website immediately shows you’re legit and ready to do business.
2. Build Trust With First Impressions
When someone lands on your website, they’re asking, “Can I trust this brand?” A professional site answers that with a confident yes. Clear messaging, modern design, and easy navigation all contribute to making your business feel trustworthy.
3. Attract More Customers, Even While You Sleep
Your website works around the clock. Whether it’s through search engine visibility, social media, or referral traffic, a solid website can help new customers find you without you having to chase them down.
With SEO best practices and smart content, your site can become a magnet for the right audience—bringing in leads, bookings, or sales while you focus on running the business.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Branbee can guide you.
Whether you want to build your site yourself, need a template to start from, or prefer we handle it all—our team is here to make your online presence feel simple, modern, and built to grow with you.
Want the Easiest Way to Launch?
Secure your domain. Launch your site. And grow your brand.
Branbee helps you do it all with flexible options—DIY-friendly or done-for-you.
Before You Dive In: What to Consider First
Before picking a platform or hiring help, take a moment to think through what you really need from your website. A little planning up front will save you time, money, and frustration later.
Ask yourself:
What’s the goal of your website? Are you simply listing your services, or do you need to sell products, book appointments, or collect leads?
How hands-on do you want to be? Do you want to log in and make quick updates yourself, or would you rather hand that off entirely?
What’s your budget? Would you prefer a low monthly fee using builder tools, or are you comfortable investing more upfront for a fully custom site?
From drag-and-drop builders to AI-powered platforms, you have more tools than ever to bring your vision to life—no tech skills required.
Step One: Define the Purpose of Your Website
Knowing why you're building a site will guide every decision you make—design, layout, features, and platform.
Are you:
Showcasing services?
Selling products?
Sharing content and building authority?
Creating a local online presence for a brick-and-mortar business?
Once your purpose is clear, it becomes much easier to focus on the features that matter most.
Step Two: Pick a Domain and Hosting Platform
Your domain name is your online address (like yourbusiness.com), while web hosting is what keeps your site live and accessible.
Here’s what to aim for:
Domain: Short, easy to spell, and clearly tied to your brand
Hosting: Fast, reliable, and within your budget. Some DIY tools offer built-in hosting, while others (like WordPress.org) require you to choose a host separately.
A solid domain and dependable hosting are the foundation of a strong online presence.
Exploring the DIY Route
If you're leaning toward building your site yourself, you're in good company. DIY tools have come a long way—they’re intuitive, mobile-friendly, and loaded with features for business owners of all kinds.
Pros of DIY Website Builders:
Budget-friendly, especially for startups or local businesses
Hosting and security are often included
Wide selection of templates with built-in design flexibility
Free plans available to test the waters before committing
Cons to Consider:
Customization can be limited depending on the platform or pricing tier
Switching platforms usually means starting over from scratch
Free versions may include ads or branding you can’t remove
Support may be limited or only available at higher tiers
Top DIY Tools to Consider
Wix
A flexible builder with drag-and-drop simplicity and design freedom. Great for service-based businesses and online stores, with built-in SEO and mobile optimization tools.
Weebly
An easy starter option for simple business sites. Especially strong if you already use Square for payments, and ideal for brick-and-mortar or appointment-based businesses.
Shopify
Perfect if your business is product-focused or fully eCommerce. Customize your store, manage inventory, and accept payments all in one place.
WordPress.com
Offers a large template library and solid flexibility. A good step up if you want more control without diving into full custom development.
Want a Stress-Free Option?
At Branbee, we understand that not every business owner has time to build from scratch. Whether you're just starting or ready to scale, we’ll help you create a site that reflects your brand, speaks to your audience, and gets results—without the overwhelm.
👉 Let’s build your business website together.
Free Website Builders vs Paid Tools: What’s the Catch?
It’s tempting to go the free route when launching your website—especially if you’re just getting started or testing your business idea. But while free website builders may look appealing upfront, there are trade-offs worth considering.
What You Really “Pay” for With Free Tools
Free website builders often come with limitations that affect your brand’s appearance and growth potential. Here’s what to expect:
Unwanted ads you can’t control (and can’t profit from)
The builder’s logo in your header or footer
Limited design and SEO control
No access to premium features like custom domains or marketing integrations
If you’re using your website as a real business tool, these limitations can make your site feel less credible and harder to grow.
When Paid Tools Are Worth It
Paid website builders unlock features that can take your site to the next level. Most premium plans include:
Custom domain names
Better SEO functionality
Faster page loading
Ecommerce or booking capabilities
Advanced support and analytics
You can still build it yourself—but now with the flexibility, freedom, and professionalism your business deserves.
Even better? If you don’t have time to set it up, you can hire a designer to build your site using the same builder—and still keep the ability to manage it yourself after.
DIY Still an Option? Absolutely.
Learning how to use a DIY tool might take a bit of time upfront, but once you get the hang of it, updates and changes become simple. For many business owners, this level of independence is a huge win—especially when you need to make quick edits or pivot your messaging.
What About WordPress?
When most people say “WordPress,” they’re talking about the open-source platform at WordPress.org—not the simplified, free-tier builder at WordPress.com.
Why WordPress.org Is Powerful:
You own everything: your design, content, data, and revenue
You can build anything—from a blog to a membership site to a full eCommerce store
Thousands of plugins and themes give you ultimate flexibility
It’s open-source (aka free to use)
But Be Aware:
You’ll need hosting, a domain, and more setup knowledge
It’s not beginner-friendly without some guidance
Security, backups, and updates are your responsibility (unless managed by your host)
If you go this route, you can still use tools like Elementor or Divi to make it more beginner-friendly and visual.
Key WordPress Tools You Might Use
Popular Themes:
Astra
OceanWP
Kadence
ThemeForest & Elegant Themes
Must-Have Plugins:
WooCommerce – Ecommerce powerhouse
Yoast SEO – Optimizes content for search engines
Contact Form 7 – Adds forms with spam protection
WordFence – Website security and monitoring
With the right stack, WordPress gives you full control. But unless you’re up for the learning curve, many small businesses prefer an easier route.
Hiring a Web Designer? Read This First
If building your site yourself feels overwhelming or you simply don’t have the time, hiring a designer can be a great investment. A good designer can create a polished, custom site tailored to your exact needs.
But before you hire someone, make sure you’re protected.
What to Look For:
Portfolio with real business sites
Experience building the kind of site you need (e.g., eCommerce, service, lead-gen)
References or reviews from previous clients
Clear agreement on ownership of your domain, design, and content
Red Flags to Avoid:
Super-low prices with no proven results
Lack of transparency about ongoing fees
Holding your domain or website hostage
No training on how to manage your own site
Branbee works with vetted designers and developers—so if you go this route, we’ll make sure you stay in control of your assets and can make edits on your own in the future.
The Branbee Way: Stress-Free Website Building
Whether you want a site you can edit yourself or want us to handle everything from A to Z, we’ve got options.
Need a simple but beautiful website fast? We’ve got pre-built templates customized for your brand.
Want full creative control? We’ll teach you the tools.
Don’t want to touch a thing? We’ll build and manage it all for you.
👉 Let’s build your business website the Branbee way.
What to Consider Before You Launch
No matter which route you take—DIY, WordPress, or hiring a pro—the goal remains the same: build a website that works hard for your business.
Start by considering what fits your business model, budget, and comfort level with technology. Do you want something quick and hands-off? Or would you rather build something fully custom and scalable?
If you're going the DIY route:
Choose a platform that matches your style and skill level. Look for tools with strong support, modern templates, and SEO features that’ll help you grow over time.
If you're going the WordPress route:
Spend time finding the right theme and plugins that match your business goals—and don’t forget to secure reliable hosting. WordPress gives you power and flexibility, but it requires a bit more time and learning.
If you're hiring someone:
Pick a designer or agency that understands your industry and can deliver both the visual appeal and functionality you need. Don’t forget to confirm ownership rights and ensure you’re able to make future changes without hassle.
Your Website Should Work for You
Building a site shouldn’t just be about “having a website.” It should support your growth.
If your traffic is flat, leads aren’t coming in, or conversions aren’t happening—it may be time to rethink your site’s structure, messaging, or visibility in search engines. Don’t be afraid to pivot, optimize, or rebuild. Your website is a living part of your brand, not a one-time project.
Let Branbee Be Your Guide
At Branbee, we help small businesses build smart, scalable websites that actually grow your business. Whether you're starting from scratch or need to redesign a site that just isn’t converting, we’ve got solutions tailored to your needs and budget.
We believe a great website isn’t about bells and whistles—it’s about clarity, connection, and conversion.
👉 Ready to build your site with Branbee? Let’s chat.
Heads up: Be cautious of anyone offering “free websites” without clarity. These offers often come with hidden fees, limited control, or ownership risks.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult a qualified expert for personalized guidance.
