Why DIY Websites Are Costing Small Businesses More Than They Think
If you're running a small business, chances are you've worn more hats than you can count — from product manager to accountant to social media guru. So when it comes time to build a website, the idea of doing it yourself seems practical. After all, DIY platforms like Wix, Squarespace or GoDaddy are affordable and easy to use, right?
But what if that quick fix is actually holding your business back?
At The Seaside Design, we’ve worked with dozens of small business owners who started with a DIY site — only to realize it wasn’t serving them the way it should. Let’s break down why that happens, and what you can do instead.
1. Templates Don’t Tell Your Story
DIY website builders offer beautiful templates — but they’re just that: templates. They’re designed to fit everyone, which means they fit no one perfectly.
Your business has a personality. Whether you’re a local bakery in Kelowna, a fitness coach in Vancouver, or a jewellery brand with a personal touch, your story matters. A custom website helps you express that story visually and functionally — through layout, tone, user experience, and even the words you use.
More than ever, customers want authenticity. They’re not just buying your product; they’re supporting you. Your website is often the first impression — let’s make sure it looks and feels like you.
2. Time Is Money — And DIY Takes A Lot of It
One of the biggest hidden costs of DIY websites is the time it takes to build, maintain, and troubleshoot them.
Think about it:
How long did it take you to figure out how to change the mobile view?
Have you ever spent hours trying to embed a video, adjust spacing, or connect your domain?
What about those late nights spent Googling how to “fix header image on Squarespace”?
Now multiply those hours by your hourly rate or your time’s worth to your business. That’s the real cost — time you could be spending building client relationships, developing your offer, or, you know… sleeping.
Working with a team like The Seaside Design means all of that gets handled — beautifully and efficiently — while you stay focused on your business.
3. Hidden Costs and Limited Features
DIY platforms often seem affordable at first glance. Many advertise a “$16/month” price tag, but here’s what’s rarely included in that:
Email marketing tools
Analytics
Custom domain
E-commerce features
Advanced SEO options
Website backups
Technical support
Removing ads or branding from your site
As your business grows and you need more tools, the costs add up — often without you even noticing. Plus, your site may eventually outgrow the platform’s limitations, forcing you to rebuild it from scratch.
When you work with a professional team, we think long-term. We design a site that can scale with you, and we set up the tools you actually need from the start — no surprises later.
4. SEO and Mobile Performance Often Suffer
Most small business websites are never seen… because they’re not found. DIY platforms often lack the technical structure needed to rank well on Google:
Poor mobile responsiveness
Slow loading times
Unoptimized images
Missing metadata or alt tags
Confusing site architecture
All of these affect your ability to show up in search results — especially on mobile, where more than 60% of traffic comes from.
Our team makes sure your site is built with SEO in mind from day one. Because what’s the point of a pretty site if no one can find it?
5. You Deserve a Support Team
Perhaps the most overlooked benefit of hiring a web design agency is support. With a DIY site, when something breaks, you have to fix it. And if you’re not sure how, that means time spent researching, emailing support, or calling your tech-savvy cousin.
With us? You send a quick message, and we’ve got it covered.
Even better — we offer ongoing support and monthly plans so your site stays secure, updated, and relevant. Want to change a banner, launch a blog, or add a booking feature? Done.
Conclusion: Your Website Is a Tool — Make Sure It Works For You
As a small business, every decision matters. A website should be more than a digital brochure — it should be a tool that helps your business grow, get discovered, and connect with your ideal customers.
At The Seaside Design, we build custom websites that are simple to use, beautiful to look at, and designed to convert. Whether you're just starting out or ready to upgrade from a DIY setup, we’re here to help you move forward — stress-free.
📩 Book a free discovery call today and let’s talk about what your business really needs.
