DIY Vs. Custom Website Design. Part Four: Time

Designing a website takes time, whether you hire a company to handle the project, or you opt to handle it on your own. As someone who has experience with tight deadlines, project manager and Sydney web designer Chris Walker explains ‘It comes down to this; In all honesty, do you have the time to dedicate to creating a website that you’d be proud to call your own?’ If you’re still deliberating, here are the pros and cons of both sides of the custom vs. DIY fence:

Cons of hiring a web design company:

Although most design companies remain committed to your project deadlines, some clients experience uneasiness in entrusting their project to an outside source. If your launch date is 100% set in stone, it’s understandable that placing your trust in a design company to stick to that deadline can be unsettling. However, the majority of web designers are experienced in project management and can ensure that they meet your expectations.

Pros of hiring a web design company:

Professional web design companies are staffed with a team of creatives and professionals who work in conjunction with one another to ensure your project is done on time. You’ll likely have a project manager whose main role is to deliver your project on time and on budget. Furthermore, design companies keep their clients in the loop throughout the process, so that the client is never surprised of any changes or delays.

Cons of building a site using pre-made templates:

Most design companies know how long a project will take, because of their vast experience of project planning. When you build your site using a template, it’s a lot like wading through water with your eyes closed. It’s possible that you may not run into any troubles, and you’ll be able to complete a site quickly. But that’s doubtful. Be prepared for delays, revisions, and many hours of frustration if you choose to build a site with a pre-made layout.

Pros of building a site using pre-made templates:

If you envision having the resources and time to commit at least one member of your team to a project, then pursuing the DIY approach may be appropriate. Believe it or not, even assembling pre-made templates requires technical skills and a dedicated staff member. Most start-ups can’t afford the time, in-house, to dedicate to these tasks, which is why building your site on your own is often not a viable option.

Conclusion

When you hire a professional web designer, the demand of your time required for the project decreases significantly. You can be as involved (or not involved) in the process as you wish. And, since professional designers will customise a site to your needs, you’ll also require less time to learn how to manage your site, once it is launched.