Over the last decade or so, DIY websites have become more and more popular. It’s never been easier for poets, writers, indie authors or self employed business owners to take on the role of a website designer. To build a fully functioning website showcasing their books, products and/or services without the help of an expert. However, building your own author website may not be the best option for you. To help you to decide whether or not building a website yourself could be a good idea, this blog will discuss: Is it worth building your own author website?
The Downsides of DIY Website Design
There are plenty of downsides that come with DIY website design. It is a steep learning curve and therefore very time intensive to begin with. Plus, you may also find yourself locked into set styles that do not reflect your author business as well as you would like. Many authors and business owners end up spending loads of time working on their own websites only to end up with something that doesn’t look as appealing/professional as they originally hoped. This disappointment can be hard to deal with. And they then need to find ways to update and/or improve their website without wasting the work they have already done.
The Advantages of DIY Website Design
However, DIY website design also comes with great benefits. Firstly, it’s much cheaper than going with a professional designer as you won’t have to pay someone to do all of the work for you. DIY website builders are usually straightforward to navigate, populate and update (even if you class yourself as ‘technically challenged’!), which is particularly beneficial if you publish frequently and/or write regular blogs. WordPress, Squarespace and Wix are popular choices. Secondly, they also offer excellent and affordable technical support that will keep your website secure online. Most authors and small businesses will be able to make use of these benefits and build themselves a simple but effective website they are proud of.
Finding A Professional Developer
Using a web development or design company is sometimes the best way to build a professional website. This is especially the case if you need or want a more complex, multi-media, multi-functional site (if you write in many different genres or have various pen names, for example). While you will have to pay for this service (providing the return on investment will be worth it!), you will also benefit from professional support and guidance tailored to you and your ideal audience. Companies like SunCity Advising can be great for authors and/or small businesses that want to create a fancy website while also learning about marketing methods they will be able to use.
There are more services like this available than ever before, giving you the chance to get up and running relatively quickly once you have done your research on the right website developer for you.
Alternatively, enrolling in a website building membership, such as Jammy Digital’s Make Your Mark Online, gives you the best of both worlds – the option to build your own website with ongoing virtual support from professional website designers.
As you can see, there are lots of benefits and downsides that come with DIY website builders. Going through this process on your own can be time-consuming and challenging but it can also be rewarding and budget-friendly!
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