Should you build your own website or hire someone?

Straight up: sometimes building it yourself is the right move, and I'll tell you when. The goal here isn't to talk you into hiring — it's to help you spend your money and time where they actually pay off.

When doing it yourself makes sense

If you're brand new, your budget is genuinely zero, and you have the patience to learn, a builder like Wix, Squarespace, or Google's free site can get you a basic presence. For a business that just needs to exist online and isn't relying on the website for work yet, that's a fine starting point. No shame in it.

The hidden cost of doing it yourself

The catch isn't the monthly fee — it's two things. First, your time: most owners who start a DIY site either never finish it or spend weekends fighting templates. Second, it usually doesn't convert or rank. A DIY site tends to look like a brochure, load slowly, miss the local-SEO basics, and bury the phone number. It exists, but it doesn't bring in calls — which was the whole point.

When hiring is worth it

Hiring makes sense when you'd rather get the time back and you want the site built to actually do its job: fast, mobile-first, tap-to-call everywhere, your reviews up front, and the local-SEO foundation set from day one. The real question isn't "what does it cost" — it's "what is one missed job worth?" For most trades, a single job pays for the site.

If you hire, how to choose someone

Ask these before you pay anyone:

• Do you set up local SEO and my Google Business Profile? A pretty site that can't be found is useless.
• Is it built mobile-first with tap-to-call? Most of your customers are on a phone.
• Do I own the site and the files? Some lock you in so you can never leave.
• Who handles changes later, and how fast? You'll need edits; find out who picks up.
• Can I see real examples, and do you understand my trade? A plumber's site isn't a restaurant's site.

Red flags

Long lock-in contracts, "you don't own the site," no clear way to reach a human for edits, and designs that look flashy but hide the phone number. Plain, fast, and easy to call beats impressive every time.