DIY, Templates or Custom Design: What’s Right for You?

Business Tips

Jan 8

If there’s one question I see small business owners tie themselves in knots over, it’s this one.

Should you DIY your website?
Buy a template?
Or invest in custom design?

Everyone online seems to have an opinion, usually shouted in capital letters, and somehow you’re expected to know the “right” answer immediately.

So let’s clear something up early on.

There is no single right option.
There is only the right option for where your business is right now.

And choosing wisely can save you time, money and a lot of unnecessary frustration.

First, let’s remove the guilt from the conversation

DIY websites are not a failure.
Templates are not “cheating”.
Custom design is not the only sign you’re a serious business owner.

Most successful businesses move through all three stages at some point. The mistake isn’t starting small. The mistake is staying stuck in something that no longer supports you.

So instead of asking “what’s best?”, let’s ask better questions.

Option 1: DIY websites

(Great for starting. Not always great for staying.)

DIY websites are often the first step. They’re accessible, affordable and give you control when budgets are tight and confidence is still building.

DIY might be right for you if:

you’re early in your business
you’re testing an idea or offer
you enjoy learning new tools
your website just needs to exist for now

Where DIY can start to wobble is when:

your offers expand
your messaging gets more nuanced
you want your site to convert, not just sit there
you feel embarrassed sharing your link

DIY isn’t bad. It just has a shelf life.

If your business has outgrown “good enough”, your website usually has too.

Option 2: Templates

(The sweet spot for many growing businesses.)

Templates are often the most underrated option.

A good Squarespace template gives you:

strong structure
intentional layouts
built-in best practice
a huge head start

Templates are ideal if:

you want a polished look without full custom costs
you’re confident editing copy and content
you want consistency without starting from scratch
your business is growing but not yet complex

The key thing with templates is customisation.

A template should be a foundation, not a straightjacket. Updating fonts, colours, imagery and copy makes the difference between “template vibes” and a site that feels genuinely yours.

Used well, templates are powerful.

Option 3: Custom design

(When clarity, confidence and growth matter most.)

Custom design is not about being fancy. It’s about strategy.

This option makes sense when:

your business has evolved significantly
you offer multiple services or pathways
you want your website to actively support sales
you’re ready to hand over the heavy lifting

Custom design shines when:

clarity matters more than control
you want an outside perspective
you’re done second-guessing every decision
your website needs to reflect your authority

It’s not about skipping steps. It’s about investing at the right moment.

The question you should actually be asking

Instead of:

“Which option is best?”

Ask:

“What does my business need support with right now?”

Is it:

clarity?
structure?
confidence?
time?
positioning?

Your answer points you in the right direction far more clearly than any pricing comparison ever will.

A quick reality check

Here’s what I see most often:

People DIY for too long because it feels safe.
People jump into custom too early because it feels impressive.

Both can be costly in different ways.

The smartest choices are usually the calm ones. The ones based on honesty, not pressure.

How this fits into the bigger picture

This post sits alongside:

assessing what your website actually needs
learning through trusted Squarespace education
choosing tools and templates intentionally
investing strategically as your business grows

Your website is not a one-off project. It’s an evolving part of your business.

A gentle invitation

If you’re unsure which route makes sense for you, that’s completely normal. Most people don’t need a dramatic overhaul. They need clarity and direction.

That’s exactly what I help with.

Whether that’s:

a strategic refresh
template support
or a full custom build when the time is right

There’s always a way forward that doesn’t involve burning everything down.

One last thing

You’re not behind.
You’re not doing it wrong.
You’re just at a specific stage.

Choose the option that supports this version of your business, and let the rest evolve naturally.

Next steps

In the next post, I’ll be sharing my experience with Standout Squarespace by Squarestylist, and who it’s actually useful for if you’re serious about levelling up your website skills.

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Hey there! I'm Amy - I design bold, strategic Squarespace websites for brilliant women who are ready to stop hiding behind a DIY site and start showing up online with confidence, clarity and a whole lot of personality.

This is where sexy meets strategy. It is web design with heart, purpose and a sprinkle of oomph… because your business deserves to shine. Come and say hello :)