Pros and Cons of Do It Yourself (DIY) Websites

If you need a website or are thinking about starting one, you may have some questions about the Do It Yourself websites that flood the Internet. I'm not talking about home improvements here. I am referring to the "have a website tonight" DIY. Don't get me wrong, there are some pros and cons to these affordable web design alternatives. So how do you determine whether a Do It Yourself site will work for you, or if you need a custom web design. Well, once you have some of the facts, the decision should be much easier.

There are some pros to a DIY option. As many of the advertisements say, you can have your site up and running the same day. In some cases, it may only take a couple of hours. The process is usually very simple, so even a novice can get a basic site up and running with only minor problems. The sites use basic templates so it is fairly easy to add, delete, or change content on the website. The upfront costs are often very low. These are all reasons to say yes to a DIY as an affordable web design option, but there are some cons that make a custom web design a better choice.

Now we will look at the cons, and why a custom web design might be a better choice. Like most DIY projects, the results can look like the work of a novice. In addition, DIY sites are often considered an affordable web design option, but this is often not the case. Many of these sites require low start-up costs, but they require monthly fees that can be pricey. A do it yourself site will be the same template used by hundreds, thousands, even millions of other websites on the Internet. If you are concerned about building a brand name, DIY is not the way to go. The biggest drawback to a do it yourself site is the lack of flexibility and the limitations that are set on the capabilities of the website. Remember, you are working with a set template, so if you do not like the way something works, looks, or you need a special feature, you will be unable to make the adjustments.



So now you know the pros and cons, but are you still unsure. There are some basic questions you should consider that will help you make the right choice. The most important question is: "How will the site be used?" This means will the site be used for a business or a hobby. Will customers be using the site? What features do you need, and how much will it cost for a DIY and a custom web design? You can look at the different requirements and compare the costs to determine an affordable web design that will fit your needs. Chances are if you want a one or two page website to share your hobby or showcase your dog, you can probably use a do it yourself site without any problems. If you plan a website for your business, a custom web design may be the better option.

Regardless which option you go with, if you do some research and ask the right questions, you will be confident that you made the right choice. Just remember to look beyond the "DIY" have a website tonight sales pitch and find out how much the start-up and monthly costs will be. Your affordable web design could put you in the poor house, and a custom web design might even cost less. It is all about doing the research and taking your time.

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