Let’s be real—DIY website platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify are super tempting when you’re just starting out. They’re affordable, quick to set up, and don’t require you to know anything about coding. Sounds perfect, right?
But here’s the thing: while these platforms seem like a dream in the beginning, they can quietly start holding your business back as you grow. Let’s talk about why those “easy” and “affordable” solutions might not be so great in the long run.
“It’s Cheap—But Is It Really?”
DIY platforms love to advertise low monthly fees. Maybe you’re paying $20 a month right now, and it feels like a steal. But then you realize, "Oh, I need to sell products." That’s extra. "I want my website to load faster." Another upgrade. "What’s with this Wix logo on my site?" You guessed it—pay more to remove it.
Before you know it, you’re spending $50 or $60 a month—and you’re still stuck with something that doesn’t quite fit your business. And here’s the kicker: all that money you’re spending? It’s like renting. You never actually own your website. If you stop paying, it’s gone.
“Why Is My Website So Slow?”
You might not think much about website speed, but your customers do. Studies show that people will leave a site if it takes more than a few seconds to load. That’s money walking right out the door.
DIY platforms don’t give you much control over how fast your site loads. They use shared hosting, which is like sharing a car with a hundred other people—it’s slow, and it’s not built for heavy traffic. So as your business grows and more people visit your site, things can start to crawl. And let’s not even get started on how this hurts your SEO (that’s how people find you on Google).
“Can I Do That? Oh, I Can’t...”
When you start using a DIY platform, everything feels possible—until it isn’t. Want to add a custom booking system for your clients? Sorry, not an option. Need a special dashboard for your customers? Good luck with that.
DIY platforms are built to be simple, but that simplicity comes at a cost: you’re stuck with whatever features they give you. And while templates might look nice, your site could end up looking like a dozen others in your industry. Not exactly the way to stand out, right?
“Wait, I Don’t Own My Website?”
This one surprises a lot of people. When you use a DIY platform, you’re essentially renting your website. You don’t actually own the code or the back-end of the site, which means:
- You’re stuck using their hosting.
- If you want to move to another platform, you might have to start from scratch.
- If the platform changes its pricing or policies, there’s nothing you can do.
With custom web development, you own your website outright. You can host it wherever you want, make any changes you like, and scale it as your business grows. No strings attached.
“But Custom Development Sounds Expensive!”
Here’s the thing: custom web development is an investment. It’s like buying a house instead of renting an apartment. Sure, the upfront cost is higher, but in the long run, you save money—and you’re building something that’s truly yours.
When I build websites for clients, I make sure they’re not just getting a site that looks nice. They’re getting something that works for their business: fast, scalable, and designed to grow with them. No surprise fees, no limitations, no being stuck with a platform that can’t keep up.
“How Do I Know It’s Time to Upgrade?”
If your DIY site is working for you right now, that’s great! But here are a few signs it might be time to make the switch:
- Your site feels slow or outdated.
- You’re hitting limits on features or customization.
- Your business is growing, and your website can’t keep up.
- You’re tired of paying monthly fees for something you don’t even own.
If any of that sounds familiar, it might be time to think about custom web development. And don’t worry—I’ll walk you through the whole process and make it as easy as possible.
Let’s Talk About Your Website
So, what do you think? Are you ready to move past the limitations of DIY platforms and build something that’s truly yours? If you want a website that’s fast, flexible, and future-proof, let’s chat. I’d love to help you take your business to the next level.
