Where to Design a Website? Top Tools & Platforms Compared
Choosing the right platform or approach to web design can be overwhelming. Whether you’re a startup founder, marketing specialist, or e-commerce business owner, finding the right solution that balances usability, flexibility, and cost is crucial.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the top options for designing a website, comparing DIY website builders, professional web design services, and custom-coded websites. Let’s find out which choice suits your business goals best!
The Three Main Ways to Design a Website
There are three primary routes you can take when designing a website:
- DIY Website Builders – Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, WordPress, and Webflow offer pre-designed templates and drag-and-drop tools.
- Professional Web Design Services – Hiring a freelance web designer or agency to create a custom site tailored to your business.
- Custom-Coded Websites – For businesses that require maximum control, a website built from scratch using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
DIY Website Builders: Easy & Affordable
DIY website builders are popular among small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs who need an online presence without hiring a professional.
Popular Website Builders
- Wix – Intuitive drag-and-drop builder with many templates.
- Squarespace – Sleek, design-focused templates for creatives.
- WordPress.com – Flexible, integrates with numerous plugins.
- Webflow – More advanced, ideal for users with some design and UX knowledge.
Pros of DIY Website Builders
- Low cost – Monthly subscriptions are cheaper than hiring a designer.
- Quick setup – Get a website live within hours.
- Pre-designed templates – No coding knowledge required.
- Built-in SEO tools – Helps improve search engine rankings.
Cons of DIY Website Builders
- Limited customization – Hard to achieve a unique look and feel.
- Scalability issues – Not ideal for complex websites.
- Performance concerns – Some platforms can be slow without optimization.
Best for: Solo entrepreneurs, bloggers, and small businesses needing an affordable, fast option.
Professional Web Design Services: Custom & Scalable
Hiring a web design freelance professional or a design company allows for a fully tailored experience.
Freelance Web Designers vs. Design Agencies
- Freelancers – Lower cost, personalized service, but can have limited capacity.
- Design Agencies – Broader expertise, full-service, but more expensive.
Pros of Hiring a Professional Designer
- Unique design – Stand out with a completely custom look.
- User-friendly experiences – Optimized for UI and UX best practices.
- Performance optimization – Faster load times and better SEO.
- Scalability – Easier to add features as you grow.
Cons of Hiring a Professional
- Higher costs – Quality work isn’t cheap.
- Longer development time – Custom websites take weeks or months to build.
- Dependence on designer – Future changes may require additional investment.
Best for: Growing businesses, startups, and e-commerce brands needing a professional, high-converting site.
Custom-Coded Websites: Full Control, Maximum Performance
For businesses that demand a fully custom digital experience, a custom-coded website is the way to go.
Pros of a Custom Website
- Unlimited design flexibility – Your brand, exactly how you want it.
- Superior performance – Optimized for speed.
- Advanced features – Tailored integrations, unique functionality.
Cons of Custom Websites
- Very expensive – High development costs.
- Long time to build – Can take months to complete.
- Requires a skilled team – Finding experienced web developers freelance can be challenging.
Best for: Large businesses, enterprise-level websites, and companies needing complex custom functionality.
Cost Considerations
When deciding where to design a website, your budget will be a major factor.
Cost Breakdown
- DIY Website Builders – $10-$50/month.
- Freelance Designers – $500-$5,000+ per project.
- Agencies – $5,000-$50,000+ per project.
- Custom-Coded Websites – $10,000-$100,000+.
It’s crucial to balance budget, goals, and scalability when making a decision.
SEO and Performance Considerations
The platform you choose also impacts your site’s SEO and speed.
- DIY Builders – Often slower and less SEO-friendly.
- Professionally Designed Websites – Optimized for UX and UI design, better for SEO.
- Custom-Coded Websites – The fastest, most SEO-friendly option if done correctly.
If SEO and site speed are critical for your business, a professionally built or custom-coded website is the better choice.
Making the Right Choice
When deciding where to design a website, ask yourself:
- What’s my budget?
- Do I need a fast launch or a fully custom experience?
- How important is scalability?
- Am I comfortable managing a DIY site, or do I need help?
If you’re unsure, consulting a UX design services provider like HelloMartin can help you make the best choice for your business.
