Are you losing money by doing your own web design?

It’s tough to run a small business (I’m doing it too), there are so many decisions to make, things to do and rarely does someone offer advice that is actually helpful. So here is mine: hire people to do things you don’t do. This might seem basic, but I have come across many businesses that are run by one or two people who are doing everything, and losing money because of it. [image from aresauburn™]

The process is always the same, they don’t want to spend the cash (or don’t have it), and figure they will just do it themselves. While this seems like it might work, it only works if you actually DO that thing already.

Here is the scenario: Your business is up and running but now you need a logo, a website, some business cards, etc. Enter the plan to save money by doing it yourself. You crank up Microsoft Word and get to work on a logo made in WordArt. The business cards can just be the stock business cards from Office Depot, and you found a template online, so you can just add your own text. Here are the flaws:

1. Logo Design- First, never use Word Art for anything. Please. Second, your logo might work at first, but no one can use it down the line for the website design, the business card design, signs, ads, etc. The problem is that Word Art (or any other non professional graphics program, or professional graphics program used by a non-professional) will not create the kind of file you need not only will your logo likely look lame but you will have to pay to redesign your logo as soon as you try to do anything else with it.
2. Business Card Design- Using a stock business card might work if you own a lawn mower business… and you’re 12, but you have a real company and people will take you more seriously if you have a real business card design, one branded to your business and one that stands out among the others. Not only will others take you more seriously, but you will be able to take pride in your business (again, assuming you did not use Word Art for the logo).
3. Website Design- While there are tons of templates online and even free website sites, a web designer will brand the entire website design to your company, especially if your logo is not Word Art, a web designer do some SEO (making sure it gets found on Google and other search engines, a web designer will make the site work so that changes down the road will be very fast (and cheap!). Just as your logo and business cards will establish your brand, and make your business stand out, your website design is crucial in establishing your business. Your website should work for you, and you should be proud to show clients/customers to it.

Doing these things yourself sounds like it will save money, but it will actually cost money down the road. If your logo design has to be recreated for any further uses anyways, why not just pay for a good logo design in the first place? Your logo won’t need to be recreated, it will work on everything, and it will look great from the start. If your business cards are bland and/or generic, how will they stand out? Your business card design should be a professional representation of you and your company.

You have now spent hours on creating a logo, getting business cards done, and now you are learning how to do a website (registering the domain, figuring out what the heck FTP is, how to use CSS, etc). You have now spent hours doing things that you don’t do! You have lost time working on your usual stuff, handing out business cards that are thrown away immediately, or hoping someone will see your website that looks terrible and isn’t showing up on Google. You should use that time instead to work on existing projects or reach out to potential customers, especially if you have a great logo, business cards that stand out, and a great website that is working for you.

While there are certainly many things you can do as a small business owner to save money, doing your own graphic design and web design will not save you money. You will lose opportunities, time, and get very frustrated. Hire a real website designer. Not sure if you have the money? Just ask. I am very flexible and willing to figure out a monthly payment rather than lump sums, or find other ways to save you money. Look for a post soon about figuring out your price.

Have a story about doing your own website? Have other advice? Leave a comment!