Why DIY Websites Cost You More in the Long Run

🚨 Thinking of building your own website to save money? Read this first! 🚨

DIY website builders like Wix and Squarespace promise an easy, affordable way to create a website. But what they don’t tell you is that a DIY website can cost you far more in the long run—both in lost revenue and wasted time.

If you’re a small business in Western Australia, your website should be an investment that brings in leads and sales, not just a pretty homepage. In this post, we’ll break down why DIY websites for small businesses often end up being a costly mistake and why a professionally built site is worth every dollar.

1. DIY Websites Look Cheap (And So Does Your Business)

First impressions matter. Your website is the face of your business online—if it looks cheap, outdated, or unprofessional, potential customers will assume the same about your services.

🔥 The Problem with DIY Website Design:

❌ Limited templates – Your site looks like every other business using the same generic design.
❌ No branding – DIY sites often lack customisation, making it hard to stand out.
❌ Clunky user experience – If visitors can’t navigate your site easily, they’ll leave.

✅ How a Custom-Built Website Fixes This:

✔️ Unique, professional design that reflects your brand’s personality.
✔️ User-friendly navigation so visitors find what they need fast.
✔️ Custom features tailored to your business (e.g., booking systems, eCommerce, SEO optimisation).

📌 Think of it like this: Would you meet a potential client in a messy, unorganised office? No. So why send them to a clunky, generic website?

2. SEO Problems – DIY Websites Don’t Rank on Google

A website that doesn’t show up on Google is useless. Period.

A website built by a marketing expert (not just a designer) ensures that your site is SEO-ready from day one, helping you rank higher on Google and attract more customers.

🔥 SEO Issues with DIY Websites:

❌ Slow page speeds – Google prioritises fast-loading sites. DIY sites often lag due to bloated code.
❌ Weak keyword optimisation – DIY sites don’t guide you on how to rank for searches like “small business websites WA”.
❌ Limited control over SEO settings – No ability to fully customise meta tags, alt text, or structured data.
❌ Mobile performance issues – If your site isn’t mobile-optimised, Google will penalise it in rankings.

✅ How a PDM Website Fixes This:

✔️ SEO-optimised pages that rank for searches like “best websites for small business WA.”
✔️ Fast loading speeds with clean, professional coding.
✔️ Proper keyword targeting so customers find you online.
✔️ Mobile-first design that boosts your Google ranking.

📌 Did you know? 75% of users never scroll past page one on Google. If your site isn’t optimised for search, you’re losing customers to competitors.

3. Hidden Costs – DIY Websites Aren’t Really Cheap

You might think you’re saving money by using a DIY website, but here’s what you DON’T see upfront:

🔥 Hidden Costs of DIY Websites:

❌ Expensive monthly fees – DIY platforms charge you ongoing fees for hosting, plugins, and eCommerce.
❌ Paid add-ons – Want a contact form? Extra .NeedbetterSEOtools?Extra. Need better SEO tools? Extra .NeedbetterSEOtools?Extra.
❌ Wasted time – You spend hours tweaking a site when you could be running your business.
❌ Lost sales – A slow, poorly optimised site means fewer conversions and missed revenue opportunities.

✅ How a Professionally Built Website Saves You Money:

✔️ One-time investment for a site that’s fully set up and ready to convert.
✔️ Optimised for lead generation so your site makes you money, not costs you money.
✔️ Custom-built features included in the initial price (no surprise add-ons!).

📌 Think of it like this: Would you fix your own plumbing to save money? No! You’d hire a professional plumber to do it right the first time. Your website should be no different!

4. No Gatekeeping – YOU Own Your Website

Many agencies will lock you out of your own website by keeping control of your domain, logins, and backend settings. At PDM, we believe in transparency—your website belongs to you, not us.

✅ How We Do Things Differently:

✔️ You own your domain & logins – Full control from day one.
✔️ No sneaky contracts – Stay with us for hosting & support only if you choose.
✔️ Ongoing website support available – We’re here if you need updates or fixes, but the site is yours.

📌 A website is an investment, not a rental. With PDM, your site is 100% yours.

5. Custom Websites That Convert – Not Just a Pretty Design

Let’s say you actually build a decent-looking DIY site. Cool! But…

Is it making you money? 🤔 Probably not.

🔥 Why DIY Websites Don’t Convert Visitors into Customers:

❌ No strategic layout – Customers don’t know where to click or how to contact you.
❌ Bad copywriting – Your site might look good, but does it sell your services?
❌ Weak calls-to-action (CTAs) – If your site doesn’t guide users to book a call or buy, they won’t.

✅ How a PDM Website Maximises Conversions:

✔️ Strategic layout that guides visitors toward action (calls, bookings, purchases).
✔️ Compelling, SEO-friendly content that sells your business.
✔️ High-converting CTAs like “Book a Free Consultation” or “Get a Quote Now.”

📌 Bottom line? A website is not just an online brochure—it should be a lead-generating machine!

The Bottom Line: A Website That Works for You

We believe your website should be a powerful tool for business growth, not a source of frustration. That’s why we build custom, high-performing websites tailored to your business and budget—starting from $8,000 for small to medium-sized businesses.

Unlike DIY platforms or agencies that gatekeep your logins, we ensure YOU own your website with full access and control. No hidden fees, no cookie-cutter templates—just a strategic, SEO-optimised website that’s built to attract, engage, and convert visitors into paying customers.

Instead of struggling with a DIY website, let’s build you a professional site that actually works for your business.

📩 Contact us today & get a website that works!