1. Where to Start

Ah, the modern small business. You’ve got the passion, the skills, and maybe even a logo designed by your cousin who “dabbles” in graphic design. But without a small business website, you’re basically a secret club that no one can find. And it’s not particularly good to be the secret club that no one can find and no one talks about. < Insert deep-cut reference to the classic 1996 Chuck Palahniuk book Fight Club and the 1999 film by the same name, where the first rule of their secret club is that you don’t talk about it >. 

You WANT customers to be talking about you and able to find you! You’re not running some sort of bizarre underground club where people get beat up for fun (unless that’s your business model – in that case, no judgetment). A professional website is your digital storefront, your online first impression, and your chance to show the world you’re not just running your business out of your garage (even if you are).

2. Why Small Businesses Need a Professional Website

Trust and Credibility

A professional website is the digital equivalent of a sharp suit and a firm handshake. Customers are skeptical by nature (as one should be these days), and nothing screams “I’m serious about my business” like a clean, well-structured website. No one wants to buy from a company with a 1997 Geocities-style webpage (complete with blinking text and a guestbook).

Attracting New Customers Through Your Online Presence

Word-of-mouth marketing is fantastic and you really can’t get a better connection to new customers than referrals from your raving fans. But these days, it can be hard to reach all the customers you hope to attract with just word of mouth. Maybe you have a small niche and need to cast your customer net wider than just your local area. And maybe your product or service is just too good to stay small! 

The Solution: Google. A website optimized for search engines ensures people find your business before they find your competitor. Plus, 24/7 accessibility means you can be reaching potential customers and selling even when you’re binge-watching your favorite show.

3. Choosing Between a DIY Website Builder and a Professional Website Developer for Your Small Business

So, we’ve clearly established that you need a website, and you need that site to be optimized for search engines. But should you take the DIY route or hire a pro? Let’s break it down.

Key Factors to Consider

• Budget: Are you working with “startup funds” (a.k.a. your savings) or ready to invest in top-notch development?
• Technical skill: Can you copy and paste without breaking into a cold sweat?
• Time: Being a small business owner is fantastic, but is A LOT of work. It can be useful to consider what your time is worth. Maybe technically you COULD figure it out, but where will you find the time? 
• Long-term goals: Do you want a temporary site that may need to be rebuilt in the next year or two to better suit your goals, or something that grows with your business?

Ease of Use

DIY website builders promise drag-and-drop simplicity, like playing with digital Lego. However, that simplicity often comes at the cost of flexibility, and adding to your site to make it more customized and less cookie cutter isn’t always an option. On the other hand, professional website developers handle the tough stuff, so you don’t accidentally delete your homepage while “experimenting.”

SEO Optimization

Website builders claim to offer SEO tools, but let’s be real—there’s a reason SEO specialists exist. SEO tools offered by DIY website builders also often have an extra cost associated with them, and that may not be obvious when you sign up. A professionally developed website with dedicated Digital Marketing specialists will ensure your business gets found by the right people instead of being buried on page 7 of Google results.

Design Flexibility

DIY builders give you templates. Great, right? Well, not if you want to stand out. Professional web developers (like us!) can craft a custom design that fits your brand perfectly. After all, no one wants their website to look like their competitor’s—especially if their competitor has bad taste.

Integration Capabilities

A business website isn’t just a pretty face. You need it to play nicely with your CRM, eCommerce platform, and marketing tools. Many DIY solutions struggle with seamless integrations, whereas a professional website developer ensures everything runs like a well-oiled machine.

Comparison: DIY Website Builders vs. Professional Web Development

4. Small Business Website Costs – What to Expect

Cost Overview

In life and in website development, you get what you pay for. Free website builders might save money upfront, but at what cost? (Hint: potentially your sanity, amongst other things not easily retrieved.) A professional website, while pricier to start with, sets you up for success long-term.

Average Cost of Website Design for Small Business

• DIY Website Builders: $10 – $50/month (plus hidden fees when you want anything fancy)
• Professional Website Development: $2,000 – $10,000+ (but with custom design, functionality, and SEO baked in)

Additional Expenses

• Hosting: $5 – $30/month (unless you enjoy your website frequently going down at random times)
• SSL Certificate: Free – $100/year (because everyone likes knowing their info is secure)
• Plugins & Extensions: $0 – $500/year + (depending on what features are needed)
• SEO & Marketing: Variable and can be included as a one-time cost or monthly depending on your needs, niche, and budget (but essential if you want anyone to find your site)

5. What We’ve Learned

A website isn’t just a digital brochure—it’s your online headquarters. If you’re serious about growing your business, you need a site that works, not one that frustrates visitors (and you). While DIY builders can be tempting, investing in professional web development ensures your business gets the credibility, visibility, and functionality it deserves.

Ready to rock on and build the perfect website for your small business? Contact us today and let’s get started!