DIY Website Platforms: Why they could be doing your business more harm than good
We know that some DIY website platforms make it easier than ever to build yourself a website, BUT, is it working well for your business? Whilst we all have a basic understanding of websites and design, that doesn’t mean that we can all build a professional website for our business. A DIY website platform might seem like a great idea. After all, they are often easy to use, don’t require any coding knowledge and gives you the ability to create a website with your own two hands. However, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing—and if you don’t take the time to understand how to use these platforms properly, you could end up doing more harm than good and wasting your valuable time in the process. If you want the best of both worlds, explore our offering. A professional website built especially for you, with the ability to manage on edit it yourself.
Mobile optimisation is Key
Mobile optimisation is one of the most important aspects of web design—but it’s also one that DIYers can easily overlook. Sure, it takes an extra few steps to ensure that your page looks great on mobile devices, but it’s well worth it in the long run. If your site isn’t optimised for mobile (or even worse, if it looks horrible on mobile), then you can kiss those potential customers goodbye—they won't be sticking around for long!
What’s in a name?
Quite a lot when it comes to your website. When using a DIY website platform, images are often overlooked and thrown onto the page without any thought given to how they should be named or how they might impact your Search Engine Optimisation (SEO). This can lead to image files with generic names like “IMG_1289.jpeg” that are not only difficult for search engines to identify but also hard for readers and potential customers to find as well. Before adding any images or videos to your website, you should take some time to name each image file something meaningful and relevant so that search engine bots can easily find them and include them in their indexing algorithms. In addition, make sure that each image has an appropriate ALT tag associated with it so that screen readers will be able to pick up on what they are seeing as well. But we can show you exactly how to do this in your support sessions with Jon after we have built your website.
Small SEO Tactics Matter Too
When creating your website with a DIY platform, it’s easy to overlook some of the small things you can do to boost your SEO efforts. It helps to start with a solid platform where you can build on your strategy. With The Web Guys, we get your website off the ground, with all the right tactics in place and then you can take control and continue to build on your website (with our support along the way). Do you know where you should use header tags? How will your text fit in with your design and your SEO strategy? Well, don’t worry, we can do the heavy lifting when it comes to the design and layout of your website. By letting us build your website, we can ensure that the header tags are in the right place, accentuating the right words on every page.
Design
It’s all too easy to pack all of the space on your website with text, links or images, but this won’t help our business to look good. Think about how you would present a physical premises, you would leave some areas clear of any information or products, to give your customers a chance to take in what is there. The same can be done on your website, white space is an important part of your website, it helps break up sections of text so that readers can easily digest what they are seeing. But we can take care of the design for you when you choose us. We can advise at every stage to ensure you have a website you can be proud of at the end.
We think it’s important for business owners to be able to use their website and we understand why many people opt for DIY websites versus having a website built for you. However, with us, you don’t have to pay thousands for an expensive website design. You simply pay £34.99 + VAT per month for a professional, quality website that you will have full control over and the support to run it effectively. Avoid any costly mistakes during the design phase, let us take care of the website build and you can focus on what you do best, running your business. We hope that you got value from our blog post to help with your business.
If you would like to know more about how to get started with an Ecommerce website then please take a look at www.thewebguys.co.uk or even book in a meeting directly with Brian to discuss how to get started using this link https://www.thewebguys.co.uk/book/brian-lynggaard
Understanding the Trade-offs of Popular DIY Platforms
While platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify offer incredible convenience, it is crucial to understand their inherent limitations, which can impact long-term growth and SEO performance.
- Wix: Historically, Wix faced criticism for its URL structures, which were not always SEO-friendly. While this has improved, users still have less control over technical SEO aspects compared to a platform like WordPress. Customisation can also be limited to the chosen template's structure.
- Squarespace: Known for its beautiful designs, Squarespace can be more restrictive in terms of third-party integrations and advanced functionalities. Its code is less accessible, making deep customisation or troubleshooting complex SEO issues a challenge for non-developers.
- Shopify: As an e-commerce leader, Shopify is excellent for selling products. However, its blogging and content management system is less robust than dedicated platforms, and it enforces a rigid URL structure that you cannot change.
These limitations are the trade-off for ease of use. A professional build can bypass these issues by selecting a more flexible foundation from the start.
Frequently Asked Questions About DIY Websites
Can a DIY website rank well on Google?
Yes, it is possible for a website built on a platform like Squarespace or Wix to rank. However, ranking well requires a deep understanding of SEO principles that go beyond the platform's basic tools. This includes keyword research, content strategy, backlink building, and technical optimisation like site speed, which are often where DIY efforts fall short.
What are the hidden costs of a DIY website?
The initial low monthly fee is appealing, but costs can add up. Hidden costs often include premium templates, subscription fees for essential apps or plugins, domain name registration after the first year, and e-commerce transaction fees. The most significant hidden cost is your own time spent learning, building, and troubleshooting.
When should a business hire a professional instead of using a DIY platform?
You should consider hiring a professional when you need custom features the platform does not offer, require a sophisticated SEO strategy, or when your time is more valuable spent running your business. A professional can also ensure brand consistency and a user experience tailored specifically to your target audience.
How to Implement Foundational SEO on DIY Platforms
Many DIY platforms provide SEO tools, but using them correctly is key. Here are two critical areas, explained with actionable steps.
Structuring Your Headings Correctly
Search engines use headings (H1, H2, H3, etc.) to understand the structure and topic of your page. A common mistake is using headings only for styling text. Instead, use them hierarchically.
- Use one H1 tag for your main page title.
- Use H2 tags for major sections.
- Use H3 tags for subsections within an H2 section.
This logical structure helps both search engines and users navigate your content.
Optimising Image File Names and Alt Text
Before uploading an image, change its file name from a generic camera name like IMG_4055.jpg to a descriptive one like commercial-plumber-fixing-pipe-london.jpg. This provides context to search engines. After uploading, always add descriptive ALT text. This helps visually impaired users and gives search engines another signal about the image's content.
Choosing Your Path: DIY Platform vs. Professional Agency
Understanding the fundamental differences between a DIY approach and hiring a professional agency is key to making the right decision for your business. Here is a breakdown of the core trade-offs.
Initial Cost and Time Investment
- DIY Platform: Lower upfront financial cost, but requires a significant investment of your personal time for learning, building, and maintenance.
- Professional Agency: Higher upfront financial cost, but saves you dozens or even hundreds of hours, allowing you to focus on your business.
Customisation and Scalability
- DIY Platform: Limited to the platform's templates and available plugins. Scaling with custom features can be difficult or impossible.
- Professional Agency: Fully customisable to your exact business needs and branding. Built to scale as your business grows.
SEO and Performance
- DIY Platform: Provides basic tools, but achieving optimal SEO and site speed depends entirely on your own expertise.
- Professional Agency: Includes expert technical SEO, content strategy, and performance optimisation from the start, setting a strong foundation for ranking.
