DIY or hire a web designer? How to know what's right for you right now
Let's be honest about something:
Not everyone needs to hire a web designer right now.
There. I said it. And yes, I am a web designer.
But here's the thing, I'd rather help you figure out what's genuinely right for you at this stage of your business than convince you to invest in something you're not ready for.
So let's talk about it. The pros and cons of DIYing your website, when good enough is actually good enough, and when it's time to invest properly.
First: do you even need a website right now?
Yes. But not necessarily a big one.
If you're just starting out, you don't need a ten-page website with a blog, a shop, a podcast page, and a full resource library. You need somewhere for people to land, understand what you do, and take a next step.
That could be a one-page website. It could be a simple three-page site. It doesn't have to be complicated.
What it does have to do is work.
The case for DIY
DIYing your website makes sense when:
You're in the early stages of your business You're still figuring out your offers, your niche, your messaging. Things are going to change. A simple DIY site gives you somewhere to start without a significant financial investment.
You have more time than budget Building a website takes time, a lot of time, especially if you don't know what you're doing. But if time is something you have and money is something you don't, DIY can be a reasonable starting point.
You just need a digital home base If your goal right now is simply to have somewhere for people to go after they find you on social media, a basic DIY site can do that job.
You're willing to learn If you're going to DIY your website, please, watch tutorials first. Don't just wing it. Squarespace has a learning curve that's gentler than most platforms, but it still has one. Go in with at least a basic understanding of what you're doing.
The hidden costs of DIY
Here's what most people don't factor in when they decide to DIY:
Time Building a website when you don't know what you're doing takes a long time. We're talking days, sometimes weeks, even months of your life. Time you could be spending on your actual work, with your clients, or just living your life.
Discoverability This is the big one. You can build a website that functions perfectly well as a link in your bio. Someone finds your Instagram, clicks the link, lands on your site. Great.
But if you want to be found, if you want people who've never heard of you to find you through Google or AI search, your website needs a lot more than most people realise. SEO. Keyword optimisation. Heading hierarchy. Image alt text. Google Search Console. Meta descriptions. Page titles.
Most DIY websites are missing almost all of this. And that means they're invisible to everyone except the people who already know you exist.
It looks DIY I know this sounds harsh. But when you know what to look for, you can tell. Not because DIY websites are always ugly, sometimes they look perfectly fine. But because of what's not there. The flow is off. The mobile version is a mess. The navigation is overwhelming. The calls to action are unclear or missing entirely.
And here's the reality: if your website looks unprofessional, out of date, or unclear, it's actively hurting your business. Visitors make a decision about whether to stay or leave within seconds of landing on your site. If it doesn't feel right, they leave. And they don't come back.
You don't know what you don't know This is the one that gets people most. I built my own website before I really knew what I was doing. And I thought it was pretty good. It looked fine. But when I did a proper Squarespace and SEO course afterwards, I realised how much I'd missed.
Image sizes that were way too big, slowing down my page load time. No alt text on any of my images. Heading hierarchy all over the place. SEO barely touched.
You don't know what you don't know. And what you don't know matters.
When DIY stops being good enough
There's a point where your DIY website stops being a reasonable starting point and starts becoming a liability.
That point is when:
It looks unprofessional or out of date If your website looks like it was built in 2015 and never touched since, it's sending a message about your business. Not the one you want.
It's overwhelming or underwhelming Too much information crammed in with no clear flow? Visitors don't know where to go. Too little information with no clear offer? They don't know what you do. Both are a problem.
It's not mobile optimised Most people are browsing on their phones. If your website looks great on desktop but falls apart on mobile, tiny text, broken layouts, buttons that don't work, you're losing people before they even read a word.
It has no clear call to action People land on your site and then... what? If there's no clear next step, they leave. A good website guides people somewhere, book a call, join a membership, buy an offer, sign up for a newsletter.
It's invisible on Google If no one can find you through search, your website is just a very expensive link in your bio. It exists, but it's not working for you.
The in-between option: a one-page website
Here's something I recommend for people who are ready to look professional but aren't quite ready for a full multi-page site:
A one-page website.
One page. Done properly. Strategically structured. SEO optimised. Mobile friendly. Clear, flowing, and easy to navigate.
It covers:
Who you are and what you do
Your offers
A clear call to action
Everything a visitor needs to understand your business and take a next step
It's not a compromise. It's a starting point that actually works.
My one-page website package (Celestial Sites—The Seed) is an investment of €1,888 and includes everything you need for that one page, plus your legal pages as a bonus. It's built on Squarespace, SEO optimised, mobile friendly, energetically aligned, and activated as a portal.
And as your business grows, you can build from there.
What you need to have before we work together:
Clarity on your niche and your offers (I can't decide what you do, that has to come from you)
Your copy, or at least a clear idea of what you want to say (I can support you with this, but I need a starting point)
Photos, or a clear idea of the kind of imagery you want (brand photography is ideal, but not essential)
If you're not quite there yet on any of these, that's okay. It just means you're not quite ready yet, and that's useful information.
What if you genuinely can't afford a web designer right now?
Then here's what I'd suggest:
Option 1: DIY with support
Build your website yourself (or start building it), and then book a website strategy session with me (€222 for one hour). I'll go through your site with you, tell you what's working, what's not, what's missing, and give you a clear action plan for what to do next.
You get professional eyes on your site without the full investment of a custom build. And you walk away knowing exactly what needs to change.
Option 2: Start with a one-page site
Instead of trying to build a full multi-page website yourself, consider investing in a professionally built one-page site. It's a lower investment than a full website, it looks and functions properly, and it gives you somewhere solid to start from.
From there, you can grow. Add pages as you need them. Book a strategy session when you're ready to expand. Build from a strong foundation rather than constantly patching a leaky one.
Option 3: DIY and learn properly first
If you're going to DIY it, please don't wing it. Watch tutorials. Learn about SEO basics. Understand why image size matters. Know what alt text is and why it's important. Give yourself the best possible chance of building something that actually works.
And then, when you're ready to invest in professional help, you'll already understand enough to have a really productive conversation about what your site needs.
So: DIY or hire a web designer?
Here's the honest answer:
DIY if:
You're early stage and still figuring things out
You have more time than budget
You're willing to learn properly (not just wing it)
You just need a basic digital home base for now
You're reasonably tech savvy, setting up a Gmail account, creating social media profiles, or navigating a new platform doesn't faze you
You can figure things out without wanting to throw your laptop out the window
When you hit a tech problem, your instinct is to google the solution rather than shut the laptop and walk away (or throw a tantrum)
Hire someone if:
You're established and your current site is costing you clients
You've been DIYing for a while and it's still not working
You don't have the time or energy to figure it out yourself
You want a site that's not just functional but energetically aligned and discoverable
Changing your password is genuinely stressful
Setting up an out of office reply or forwarding emails from one address to another makes your head spin
The idea of learning a new platform, even a user-friendly one, fills you with dread
You'd rather pay someone to handle it than spend hours figuring out why a button won't align properly
Here's the honest truth: Squarespace is one of the most user-friendly website platforms out there. But user-friendly doesn't mean effortless. If basic tech tasks regularly overwhelm you, DIYing your website is going to be a frustrating, time-consuming experience, and the end result probably won't serve your business the way it should.
That doesn't mean you can't have a great website. It just means you probably shouldn't build it yourself.
Start with a one-page site if:
You want something professional without the full investment
You're clear on your offers but don't need a complex site yet
You want a strong foundation to build from
The bottom line
Your website is often the first impression people get of your business. It should feel like you, work for you, and be findable by the people you're meant to serve.
Whether you DIY it, invest in a one-page site, or go for a full custom build, the goal is the same: a website that represents your business properly and works for you, not just when someone already knows you exist.
If you're not sure where you're at, I offer a website strategy session (€222) where we can make a plan together. Whether you're pre-build, mid-DIY, or wondering why your existing site isn't converting, an hour together can give you a lot of clarity.
Book a strategy session here or Learn more about Celestial Sites here
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a one-page website and a full website?
A one-page website covers everything a visitor needs to understand your business and take a next step, all on a single, well-structured page. A full website has multiple pages (about, services, blog, contact, etc.). A one-page site is a great starting point for early-stage businesses or those who want a professional presence without a large investment.
How much does a one-page website cost with Celestial Sites?
My one-page website package is an investment of €1,888 and includes everything you need for that one page plus your legal pages as a bonus. It's built on Squarespace, SEO optimised, mobile friendly, energetically aligned, and activated as a portal.
What do I need to have before working with a web designer?
At minimum: clarity on your niche and offers, a basic idea of what you want your site to say, and some direction on imagery or photography. You don't need to have everything perfectly figured out, but you do need to know what you do and who you serve.
What is a website strategy session?
A one-hour session (€222) where we go through your current website (or your plans for one) and I tell you what's working, what's not, what's missing, and what to do next. It's professional eyes on your site without the full investment of a custom build.
Can I DIY my website and then get it audited?
Absolutely. Build it yourself first, then book a strategy session and I'll go through it with you. You'll walk away with a clear action plan for what needs to change. Sometimes that's all you need.
Do you only build websites for spiritual entrepreneurs?
Most of my clients are soul-led, spiritual, or holistic entrepreneurs, but I work with anyone who values the blend of strategy and energetics and is open to working with higher guidance in the design process.
