If you have stumbled across this post you are probably in the midst of the dilemma in deciding where to spend your money on your business. That, or you are my mom or BFF just checking in… hi, mom!

Let’s assume you are a fellow creative small business owner just looking for resources to point you in the right direction. There are so many tasks when getting started it can feel extremely overwhelming.

I started my business doing it alllll by myself (with the wisdom and support of some super smart friends and my business-savvy husband). But eventually I had to hire some help. From coaching, to tax prep, and legal contract templates, I started building up my business.

So what about when it comes to branding and website design? Where do those fall in the hierarchy of the business timeline? And do you need to hire someone to do them for you?

The way I look at it, you have three main options when it comes to designing your website. 

Should You Just Find a Website Template?

First, I am a firm believer in DIY. As I mentioned before, there is just no way you can start a business and instantly be able to pay someone to do all of the things outside your area of expertise. So let me preface this next portion of this post by saying, finding a high-quality website template might be a great option for you! As a Showit designer, I favor Showit website templates, but there are tons of options out there. 

If the template route is right for you, then problem-solved! Go the DIY route! In fact, we have a great breakdown of how to edit a Showit Template here.

However, I should mention that I also stand behind the theory that you can’t do it all yourself. And you definitely can’t do it all really, really well. So, this is where the option of hiring help comes in.

Maybe a ‘Quick and Cheap’ Online Service is For You

You’ve probably heard of some websites where you can hire someone for a quick job, get turnaround in a few days, and be on your merry way. Fiverr and Upwork are two of the bigger names in this space. Both of these services can be a great option for some projects, however they usually aren’t my top recommendation for website design. 

As a designer who has previously listed services on Fiverr, it is definitely possible to find high-quality designers there! But, most of these services are for a steal of a price, and as the saying goes, you get what you pay for.

Coming in with some anecdotes rather than statistics, I have worked with several creative small businesses that come to me after having paid for a service from one of these websites, only to have to start all over again. The general theme from these clients is that they had to ask for several revisions, couldn’t get timely feedback, and generally felt their overall style just missed the mark.

So, if you just need to get something up and have a URL to post, then go for it! But, if this experience makes your skin crawl, then read on, my friend.

What a Professional Website Designer Can Offer

If you’ve made the choice to go ahead and seek out your perfect match designer, let’s talk about what a professional designer can offer that your friend who is “pretty good at Canva” cannot.

1. Expertise in one or more website platforms: knowing the ins and outs of a website design platform is an important piece to getting your website done correctly, and in a timely manner. Showit is my preferred platform and I have spent hours (upon hours and hours) learning different features, design tricks, and integrations to make sure my clients are getting the best.
2. Bonus Features: this will vary depending on which designer you go with, but for most, you aren’t JUST getting a nicely decorated web page. With Kelly Ryann Co. we offer 5 custom website pages, plus a blog page AND Instagram links page. On top of that, you’ll get a 45 minute goal setting and design alignment session, full website copywriting template, customized maintenance training video, and more. We also have add-on services like our most popular SEO Basics package or one of our branding packages. We really try to give you the most bang for your buck.
3. Professional Advice and Suggestions: it’s easy to get in your own head over every design idea, so having the industry experience from a professional can be a big headache-reliever and time-saver. A good designer will always offer their advice and suggestions during a design consultation. They are there to help you make the most out of your website after all!

Now, I don’t want to skate around the discussion of price, because yes, a professional website designer will cost more then either of the previous options, but they also should be providing an experience that really makes it worth it.

Most professional website designers charge anywhere from $1,800-10,000 for a website, all depending on their experience in the industry, current demand, and included features. So make sure to do a little shopping around to find the right fit, that’s also within your budget.

So, How to Know When It’s Time to Hire a Professional Website Designer

I wish there was a magic formula to answer that exact question for you, but it is going to vary from one small business to the next. Here is my general checklist to consider. 

If you’ve answered yes to any one of these, then it’s definitely time to at least think about hiring help. 

If you answered yes to more than one… my goodness, just send me a message so we can get to planning that website!

Hopefully this post has given you some things to consider and options to look into when it comes to your website, but if you’re still thinking it over, try out our FREE Showit homepage to get a taste of our design style here at Kelly Ryann Co. Feel free to use this template as a launching pad for your own website, or just test the waters of if we might be a good fit for you. Either way, you can get this free download here.

Still have some looming questions? Find us on Instagram @kellyryannco or send us a message through our website at www.kellyryann.com/contact.