You can definitely build your own website, but should you?

Can you build your own website? Absolutely!

Should you build your own website? Is it the best use of your time and energy? Here’s where it gets a little murky.

If you’re ready to pull the trigger on a website project, you’ve got one big question to ask yourself: to DIY or not to DIY?

Obviously, it will be easier and faster for you to work with a web designer, even if you're assembling a simple website. Web builders like Squarespace are easy to use and approachable for newbies, so I know you have what it takes to build your own site.

But will you enjoy the process? Will the final product meet your standard for “good enough”? Many solopreneurs I hear from are people who started off building their own websites and quickly landed in a sad hole of frustration, anger, wasted time. 

I want to help you avoid that sad hole!

It’s great that you’re finally ready to move forward with a new website. Before you start, consider these questions to help you identify whether you should build your own website, or seek guidance from a pro.

1. What’s your limiting factor?

In other words, what’s the number one thing holding you back from jumping in and getting started. Is it the time you need to actually build this website? The money it takes to outsource it? General confusion about what you need and how to do it and where to start? 

2. How do you work best, and what do you need to be held accountable?

Consider your own working styles and what keeps you accountable to getting projects done. Are you a dive-in-and-figure-it-out problem solver? Are you a scheduler? Are you motivated by financial incentives? Are you ready to figure out how to structure your website project so you actually get it done?

3. What type of work do you enjoy?

Building a website requires a lot of quiet solo work that forces you to be deeply focused on one small task at a time. To be clear, you don’t have to code - but you will have to focus on small tasks like, “How do I get this image to show up next to this text, and now above it.” Do you have the patience to do that type of work? Do you prefer collaborating with and learning from experts? Do you like being in the weeds to figure things out, or just get it done most efficiently?

4. What are your goals for yourself and your work?

Your time and energy are finite, and I believe that we should spend those finite hours doing the things where we provide the highest value. I’m constantly reassessing how I spend my time to make sure I’m doing the most valuable work. Are you looking to practice your design skills or your digital marketing skills? Are you hoping to experiment with a new tool to see if it can move your business forward or add a new skill to your resume? Regardless of whether or not you would enjoy building your website… is it worth your finite time and energy to do it yourself? 

After answering these questions, you should have a better idea about whether or not a website DIY project is worthwhile for you. And if you’re a “HECK YES” on building your own website, sign up below for my Website In A Weekend Guide. It’ll help outline a web design process that will help you get the thing done!

Save yourself time by following my web design process!

Sign up below and I’ll send over my Website In A Weekend Guide to help you design your own website.