The Hidden Challenges of Designing Your Own Website (And What to Do About Them)

Iyanu Emmanuel
Sep 12
2 min read

Building a website has never been easier—or so it seems. With platforms like Wix, WordPress, and Shopify offering drag-and-drop editors, many small business owners are tempted to go the “do-it-yourself” route. After all, how hard could it be?

diy website design — Navigating the creation process as he strategises the next steps.

Here’s the truth: while you can design your own website, the process often comes with hidden challenges that can cost you time, money, and customers if not handled correctly. Let’s break it down.

1. Time Isn’t on Your Side

Yes, website builders are user-friendly. But learning how to make your site look professional, align with your brand, and function smoothly can take weeks—or even months.

Reality check: Every hour spent figuring out layouts or fixing errors is an hour taken away from running your actual business.

2. Design Looks Simple (Until You Try It)

A professional website isn’t just about choosing a nice template. It’s about creating a layout that guides visitors naturally, highlights your offers, and builds trust.

Common DIY mistake: Using too many fonts, cluttered layouts, or mismatched colors that confuse instead of convert.

3. SEO Isn’t Optional

Having a beautiful website means little if no one can find it. SEO (Search Engine Optimization) ensures your website ranks on Google for the keywords your customers are searching for.

Challenge: Most DIY websites ignore SEO basics like meta tags, optimized images, fast loading speeds, and mobile responsiveness. That means fewer visitors—and fewer sales.

4. Functionality Gets Complicated

Need an online booking system? A payment gateway? Email integrations? E-commerce features?DIY platforms provide apps and plugins, but knowing which ones to use, how to integrate them correctly, and how to avoid conflicts isn’t always straightforward.

Result: Many small businesses end up with broken features or websites that look unfinished.

5. First Impressions Really Matter

Research shows visitors form an opinion about your website within 0.05 seconds. If your site looks outdated or amateurish, people may assume your business isn’t trustworthy.

Hard truth: A poorly designed DIY website can actually lose you customers instead of gaining them.

So, Should You Design Your Own Website?

If you’re just experimenting, starting a hobby blog, or testing an idea, DIY might be fine.But if your website is central to your business success—generating leads, sales, or bookings—professional design is worth the investment.

The Smart Middle Ground

Here’s what many successful small businesses do:

Use a platform like Wix (easy to manage without tech skills).
Hire a professional designer to set up the structure, layout, SEO, and branding.
Manage the site yourself afterward with full control, without worrying about broken designs or hidden mistakes.

Final Thoughts

Designing your own website isn’t impossible—but it’s rarely as simple as it looks. The hidden challenges often outweigh the savings, especially when your business depends on conversions and credibility.

At Wix Website Pro, we help small businesses strike the perfect balance—building professional websites that look stunning, rank on Google, and are easy for you to manage.

Ready to stop struggling with DIY design? Let’s talk about your website today.