You can do your own landscaping.
You can fix your own car.
You can trim your cat’s nails.
But what is the cost?
Well, for me, it was a disastrous situation with a juniper bush and scratches on my arms.
Somewhere along the way I realized that my time, sanity and safety are worth a lot.
Beyond that, most everything has a bigger learning curve than I anticipate. And ultimately, doing things WELL means learning how to do them well…which takes time. Sometimes years. Sometimes a whole career.
I have an announcement that I think a lot of people need to hear—especially in a time where many of us feel pressured by the Pinterest-supported do-it-yourself culture:
It is self-care to hire people to help you.
I could take my own headshot. But the stress could kill me. And the outcome just wouldn’t be very good. That’s why I let an actual photographer handle it.
I could writes my own blog posts, like this one. But it takes me a really long time and lots of heartache. That’s why I work with a web copywriter.
So to answer a question I get asked pretty often…
Can you design your own website?
Yes, you probably can. With Wix or Squarespace or another website builder. Or you can take the time to learn WordPress.
But many of my clients are people who’ve tried it themselves and realized there’s a lot more to a great website that they realized. Many decisions, many layers, and usually too many restrictions to do what they actually want to do. Then once they start trying to customize, it opens up a can of frustration. Time. Hours spent. And that’s when they realize the benefit of a custom site and an experienced WordPress developer.
You might uncover a hidden passion
While sometimes you have to hack up your own yard before you realize landscaping is not your gift, other times, in trying something new, you’ll find passions you didn’t know you had.
(Like when I tried graphic design and took to it like a fish to water.)
So if you have the interest and desire, by all means—try it. You might be a burgeoning website designer.
If you want to do it because you think it will be fun, or have lots of time on your hands, go for it!
If you want a basic template you can dump your content into, take a shot! Check out the pros and cons of premade WordPress themes.
But if you just think you should do it because “it should be pretty easy,” I encourage you to save yourself time (lots) and aggravation (lots).
I can’t shape juniper bushes.
I can’t fix my car.
I can’t give my cat a mani/pedi.
But I can strategize, design and build you an awesome freaking website that helps you up-level your business, stand out, and attract the clients you want.
