Website builder solutions promise quick, affordable options for businesses wanting an online presence. With over 18 million websites built using DIY website builders and the market projected to grow significantly, it’s clear these tools have found their place. But whilst DIY website builders can be brilliant for certain situations, there are hidden costs and limitations that small businesses should understand before making their choice.
At Eighty3 Design, we believe in honest guidance – sometimes that means recommending a DIY solution, and sometimes it means steering you towards professional development. The key is understanding what each approach truly costs, both upfront and long-term.
Most website builders advertise tempting starting prices. Wix plans currently range from £10-£30/month, while Squarespace plans range from £9-£31/month. These appear straightforward, but the true costs often emerge later.
Many platforms charge transaction fees on sales, particularly on lower-tier plans. These can range from 2-3% per transaction, which quickly adds up for businesses with regular online sales. Additionally, agencies may charge separately for their time, the website design itself and any plug-ins or add-ons, and they’re constantly trying to upsell you.
Basic plans rarely include everything you need. Professional email accounts, removal of platform branding, advanced SEO tools, and ecommerce functionality often require upgrades. Advanced functionality often requires paid plugins or apps, with each plugin costing £10 to £100+ per year.
Whilst free templates exist, paid themes offer improved aesthetics and can range from £50 to £200 or more. If your business requires custom functionality or design elements not available in standard templates, you’ll face additional costs or find yourself stuck with a generic appearance.
Perhaps the most significant hidden cost is time – specifically, your time as a business owner. You’ll need to allow between five and 20 hours to set up your DIY website with a website builder. After that, expect to spend between two and 30 hours per month on content and usability updates.
For busy entrepreneurs, this represents a substantial opportunity cost. You might have to spend 2-4 hours or more researching how to get something working on your website when an experienced website designer/developer can have that particular task finished in 5-10 minutes.
Consider also the learning curve. Each platform has its own interface, features, and limitations. What seems simple in promotional videos often requires significant trial and error to master.
DIY platforms typically use shared hosting, which can impact your site’s performance. DIY web design services use shared servers for hosting, resulting in a reduction in bandwidth and slower loading time. If your website receives a spike in traffic, your site will likely slow down or go offline due to strain on the shared server.
Whilst many builders now include basic SEO tools, they often lack the depth and customisation needed for competitive industries. A professional web designer will be able to reduce image sizes, combine files into bundles, and remove unnecessary code to make the website as efficient as possible. This technical optimisation is crucial for search engine rankings but difficult to achieve with standard DIY tools.
As your business grows, you may find your chosen platform can’t accommodate new requirements. Migration between platforms later can be complex and costly, potentially requiring a complete rebuild.
Despite these limitations, DIY website builders aren’t inherently bad choices. They work brilliantly for:
The key is matching the tool to your actual needs and growth timeline.
Professional web development typically requires a larger upfront investment. The going rate in 2025 to build a modern, professional small business website was typically £1,000 – £10,000 but could be as much as £20,000 or more depending on the number of pages and customisation required.
However, this investment often provides better long-term value through:
Custom functionality tailored to your specific business needs
Superior performance with optimised code and dedicated hosting options
Professional SEO implementation from the start
Ongoing support and maintenance from experienced developers
Scalability designed for business growth
Ownership of your website without platform dependencies
Our Fina Furniture case study demonstrates this perfectly. After struggling with Wix’s clunky product management, Fina moved to a custom WordPress solution that streamlined their ecommerce operations and supports their continued growth.
The decision between DIY and professional development shouldn’t be based solely on initial cost. Consider these factors:
Here’s something many business owners don’t realise: professional consultation can save money even if you choose the DIY route. At Eighty3 Design, we offer a free initial 30-minute chat where we can:
We’ve seen countless businesses make expensive mistakes by choosing the wrong platform initially, then needing to rebuild later. A brief consultation can help you avoid these pitfalls entirely.
Whatever route you choose, think beyond your immediate needs. Your website should grow with your business, not constrain it. If you start with a DIY solution, ensure it can be enhanced or replaced as your needs evolve.
Many successful businesses begin with DIY platforms and transition to professional development as they grow. This can be a sensible approach, provided you plan the transition rather than being forced into it by platform limitations.
The website builder market continues to evolve, with the global website builders market valued at £1.6 billion in 2024 and projected to reach £2.9 billion by 2033. This growth brings improved tools and features, but also increased complexity in choosing the right solution.
Remember: the cheapest option upfront isn’t always the most economical long-term. Factor in your time, business goals, and growth plans when making this crucial decision.
Whether you choose DIY or professional development, the most important step is getting started. Every day without a website is a missed opportunity for customer connections and business growth.
Ready to explore your options? Our team at Eighty3 Design offers honest, no-pressure advice to help you make the best choice for your specific situation. Get in touch for your free consultation, and let’s discuss what approach will serve your business best.
At Eighty3 Design, we’ve been helping Black Country businesses navigate their digital journey since 1999. Whether that means recommending the right DIY platform or creating a custom solution, we’re here to ensure you make the choice that serves your business long-term.
