DIY websites - are they worth the effort?

Many new life coaches find themselves chewing over the question of whether to go it alone with your website design using a template package, or whether to work with a professional website designer.

The reasons that coaches give for taking the DIY route almost always focus on two particular areas: saving money and maintaining flexibility. So let's take a look at some of the related pros and cons...

** Saving money **

Okay, so you can't afford to pay thousands for an all-singing, all-dancing website with bells, whistles and heaven knows what else? Well the good news is that you don't need a high-cost, complex website to attract clients.

What you do need is a smart website with a professional image that encourages visitors to give you their name and email address details.

If you can create just such an attractive, business-like, contact-gathering website using a low-cost template package, then great... go for it! And even if you can't get the professional look yourself, you could try using the low cost template option as an initial testing ground to help you develop your ideas.

But make sure you don't get seduced by the potentially false economy of the DIY option. It doesn't have to cost a lot to get a simple website designed professionally. But it might cost you heavily in missed business if you don't.

** Maintaining flexibility **

How about the benefits of control and flexibility? Well it's true that if you've designed your own website, you then have the freedom to make changes and updates as often as you like. This is a definite plus.

But what if you want to make upgrades to your website that you either don't know how to implement, or your template package doesn't support? Then you find yourself stuck in a distinctly inflexible place, unable to move your business forward because a lack of technological ability is blocking your way.

So before you head off down the do-it-yourself route, give some thought to where you want your client-attracting website to lead your business. What expansion and development routes do you have in mind? Will your template package be capable of delivering all your requirements? Are you likely to have the time and the know-how to do it all yourself?

** Making profitable use of your time **

Saving money and maintaining flexibility are very good reasons for designing and managing your own website if they truly work in your favour. But what about your time? There's always that question: how else could you be using your time and energy to grow your business if you weren't doing your own website design work?

As Bernadette Doyle advocates... outsourcing is the way to go if you want to make a real difference and free yourself up for the important revenue producing activities.

My advice for most life coaches, then, is to find yourself a good website designer who will produce a clean and professional site to your specifications. This doesn't have to cost a lot of money, particularly if you are crystal clear about your requirements. The update process doesn't have to be costly either - just make sure you agree in advance how it will work and what the charges will be.

All that said... I know that a rare few do exist who positively relish learning new IT skills, who are technologically adept AND who have a good design eye. So if you are one of that happy breed, then who am I to persuade you away from the fun and flexibiity of DIY website design?