Is designing your own website really that challenging? Can you handle the truth? Here it is......

Designing your own website can feel a bit like embarking on a

DIY home renovation that ends up in a total disaster.

Okay, it seems straightforward at first — just pick some colours, throw in some text, and you're done, right? But soon enough, you're knee-deep in a world of choice, tech speak, and a bunch of unexpected mind-blowing challenges that can make you actually question your life choices.

Some people dive straight into designing their own websites with tremendous enthusiasm, only to end up with something that looks like a sweet shop after a tornado has hit it.

There are far too many well-intentioned amateurs who after embarking on their DIY website design adventure emerge thoroughly convinced they've created the next big thing since sliced bread.

Oh dear.... and they proudly show off their site. To them, it's a masterpiece; however, to the rest of us, it looks like a piece of digital flotsam not fit for consumption.

So, let's have a look at the challenges with a touch of humour, shall we?......

Techy Skills and Coding Knowledge, challenges when designing your own website

A basic fact is that HTML, CSS, and JavaScript promise to make your website magical but only if you speak their language. If you've ever tried to have a conversation with someone whose language you don't understand, you know it can quickly turn into frustration, misunderstandings and less fluid interaction, in the case of techy skills,

a total digital disaster!

Design Principles and User Experience (UX)

Do you think picking colours and fonts is like choosing your outfit for the day,

how hard can it be?....Harder than you think, actually!

I'm afraid every font has it's own special personality. You'll find yourself fretting over whether your website should be more "Comic Sans quirky" or a more serious "Times New Roman." Which one should you pick?

And don't even get started on how to make sure your website looks good on every possible device !! — it’s like trying to fit into your high school jeans; not always a smooth process!

Suddenly you start to realise that designing your own website is not going to be straightforward by any means. You're now feeling a moment of panic where you suddenly forget how to breathe, then you remember how to breathe again, calm down and re-set, in a spirit of positivity and re-focus.

You become 'temporarily deluded' and determined that 'thou shalt not be defeated!!!!!'

Content Creation and Management

Fine. So now you need to think about writing content for your website. Oh, you thought that was easy too, until you stare at that blinking cursor like it’s a challenge from a reality show: "Will you be able to produce brilliant, clever, engaging text...or will you eventually crumble under the colossal pressure that you don't realise is about to land on you like a rock falling from a cliff?"

Oh, the challenges when designing your own website! And just when you think you've nailed content creation, you have to make sure it doesn’t slow down your site, ugh!!! It reminds me of trying to pack everything I own into one suitcase—heavy but compact! Not ideal, in the case of websites, just in case you weren't aware. Oh, the challenges when designing your own website!

SEO and Digital Marketing

What you need to know is that SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is like trying to impress the most popular kid in school, and that is, of course, Google.

You want your website to be noticed! That's the whole point of it being on the web, right?!!!

But now you have the task of figuring out the right combination of keywords, and that's like trying to learn a secret handshake. Oh, more chaaaaaaaaallenges !!!!!

Added to this, you need to keep an eye on analytics, which can sometimes feel like getting your exam results — will it be A+ traffic, or is there a whole lot of room for improvement to be made? Joy of joys, NOT! Because this is not as easy as you might think! Not for the faint-hearted, ladies and gentlemen!

Security and Privacy

Why do you need Security for your website?

At this point you begin to realise that there's so much more to building and maintaining websites than you had anticipated, correct?

You realise that you must keep your website safe from hackers. That is non-negotiable.

It's similar to installing a top of the range security system at home.

Do you really need it, though? YES, you do !!!

Security for your website? Absolutely necessary!!

But figuring out SSL certificates and GDPR compliance can make you feel like you're trying to unlock unbreakable spy code. And just when you think you’ve got it all nicely safe and secure, there’s always another update to install.

At this point you must be realising that you really need to find someone to help you to complete this project. Have the scales finally fallen off?

After tirelessly wrestling with the platform you're using to build your website, like it was a particularly stubborn octopus, and accidentally turning your “About Me” page into a doorway to debilitating dread, do you feel like finally admitting defeat?

Perhaps it's time to let go of your unrealistic dream of being a DIY web genius and finally hire a professional. Does that sound like a plan?

I hate to break it to you, but watching someone expertly whip up a website in minutes while you sit back, sip coffee and contemplate life choices is a lot less stressful than trying to design until your keyboard resembles a crime scene.

It's not worth the agro, dear reader!.......

So, why not pay a pro and just hope they don't judgmentally trash your catastrophic effort at trying to masquerade as a techie artist!

Still not convinced that you should pay that Web Design Professional?

Read on, dear reader, Read on........

Time and Resources

Designing a website can start off as a fun weekend project, but suddenly you find yourself still awake at 3 AM, you're feeling knackered and you're now questioning your decision-making skills and where you've gone wrong in life to lead you to this wretched, bleak moment!!!!

You may have thought it would take a few hours, but like assembling flat-packed furniture, it always takes four times longer than expected, and believe me, your website WILL take longer than expected if you go it alone.

So, Think! Before you take the Plunge!!!

Choosing the Right Tools and Platforms

Now, if you still need yet more reasons not to go it alone, let's talk about how to choose the right tools! Be aware that the number of website builders and platforms available is like walking into an ice cream shop with 100 flavours — Too much choice!!

Do you go with the classic Vanilla of 'WordPress' or the modern & trendy Coffee & Doughnut flavour of 'WiX'? You have to make a decision, and the more modern choice of the day tends to be platforms such as WiX.

Why WiX?

WiX is a user-friendly website builder that allows individuals and businesses to create professional websites without coding. Yippeeeeeeee!!! No Coding!!!!! Wix is robust and boasts a user-friendly interface. It’s advantages are that it's fast, easy to use, and reliable. It offers templates that can be customised, drag-and-drop features, and integrated tools for e-commerce, blogs, and more. In short, it's great!