DIY website or professional designer?

Points to check

• A DIY route may suit a simple site with limited integrations and a team willing to write, design and maintain content. Include that team time in the cost.
• Professional support may be useful when the site needs a tailored customer journey, migration, complex features or a consistent identity. Define the outcome before choosing the platform.
• Ask what happens when you need a new page, accessibility fix or data export later; ongoing control matters as much as launch speed.

Start with the brief

Write down the business outcome you need, the people you want to reach and any practical constraints. This makes it easier to judge whether a suggested service or platform is appropriate.

DIY tools can be practical for a simple first site when time and confidence are available.

Compare the work, not just the headline

Ask providers to describe the deliverables, who will do the work, what they need from you and when the result will be reviewed. A written proposal should distinguish included work from optional extras.

• Page structure, content and visual design
• Mobile layouts, accessibility and launch checks
• Hosting, ownership and handover arrangements

Questions worth asking

• Who owns the finished website and accounts?
• What content and revisions are included?
• What happens after launch?

Include your own time, platform fees, content work and future changes in the comparison.

Make a fair comparison

Use the same brief for each provider, request any missing details in writing, and consider ownership and ongoing support alongside price. You can use the free worksheet to record the answers.