YOUR WEBSITE.
YOUR WAY FORWARD.
Build it yourself or bring in a designer? Start with what you need and the time you have.
Website builder vs web designer
A website builder can suit a straightforward site you want to create and maintain yourself. A web designer can suit a business that wants a considered structure, a custom visual direction and someone responsible for the build. CRACKDESIGNS sells design and development services, so this is our practical perspective on the choice.
Different ways to build.
| Consideration | Build it yourself | Work with a designer |
|---|---|---|
| Your time | You plan, write, design, configure and test. | You provide business knowledge, content and approvals. Agreed design and build work is handled for you. |
| Creative direction | You work with the controls and components available in your chosen tool. | The direction can be developed around your content and brand. Confirm whether the quote is custom or template based. |
| Initial cost | Software, assets and any help you buy. Check current platform pricing. | An agreed project fee. Our core website is $6,000 AUD + GST; bespoke projects are individually scoped. |
| Ongoing upkeep | You manage content and account settings; platform responsibilities vary. | Check the support and care agreement. Standard Managed Care is optional at $150 AUD + GST/month for eligible websites we build. |
| Control and handover | Export and hosting options depend on the platform. | Ownership and hosting depend on the agreement and technology. Ask for the practical handover details. |
When DIY fits.
Simple needs. Time to learn. A willingness to keep working on it.
If you are testing a new idea, need a small online presence or enjoy working on the site yourself, a builder may be enough. It can give you a direct way to change content and experiment.
Set aside time for structure, writing, mobile checks, forms and accessibility. A template gives you a starting point; it does not decide what your customers need to know.
When help makes sense.
Your business is established and the website deserves focused attention.
A designer is worth considering when you need a coherent visual direction, help arranging your content or a planned rebuild while you focus on the business.
Our core website suits a focused brief with up to five core pages. Bespoke projects allow the structure, content responsibilities and delivery plan to be shaped around more involved requirements.
Explore website servicesAsk about the platform.
Hiring a designer and choosing a website builder are not always opposites.
Some designers work with website builders. Others build on a different stack. Ask how the site will be edited, hosted, maintained and moved before deciding who to hire.
For our build, ownership of the approved website and client-specific deliverables follows final payment. Third-party licences and pre-existing studio tools still apply. We agree the CMS and handover arrangements for your project.
Considering a move from Wix?Make the choice concrete.
Write down the job.
List the pages, the content you have, the actions visitors need to take and any required tools.
Be honest about capacity.
Decide how much time you can spend learning, building, reviewing and maintaining the website.
Compare complete costs.
Include setup, subscriptions, assets, outside help and ongoing care. Read the exclusions.
Choose with evidence.
Try the tool or inspect the designer’s work. Ask questions about editing, ownership and what happens after launch.