Building a website is no longer optional for businesses. Whether you’re running a small bakery in Lagos or launching an online store, your website acts as your digital storefront. However, one big question often arises: Should you hire a web designer or just use a website builder like Wix or Squarespace?
The answer depends on your goals, budget, and long-term plans. At AshSalt Consultancy, we guide our clients through this decision by weighing the pros and cons of each option. Let’s break it down.
1. What You Get with a Website Builder
Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com are popular because they’re easy to use. With drag-and-drop tools, you can build a basic site in a few hours without any coding experience. They’re also affordable for startups, with plans starting as low as a few thousand naira per month.
However, they come with limitations. You’ll get standard templates that may look like thousands of other sites. Your ability to customize is restricted, and scaling your site in the future can be tricky. According to TechRadar, website builders are perfect for personal blogs or small portfolio sites but might not be enough for serious businesses.
2. Why Hiring a Web Designer Could Be Worth It
A professional web designer brings creativity and strategy to your project. Unlike a builder template, a designer can create a website that reflects your brand identity, is fully optimized for SEO, and offers better user experience.
Designers also consider technical aspects like loading speed, mobile responsiveness, and advanced features. While the cost is higher upfront, you save time and avoid common pitfalls that come with DIY builders.
At AshSalt Consultancy, we’ve seen businesses start with a template, get stuck, and later invest in a redesign because they needed more features, custom pages, or e-commerce functionality.
3. Budget vs. Long-Term Value
If your budget is tight and you need a simple site, a website builder is fine. But if you want a site that grows with your business, hiring a web designer is an investment that pays off.
Website builders might save you money upfront, but the hidden costs—like premium templates, plugins, and limited SEO—add up over time. Meanwhile, a professionally built site is optimized from day one and ready to scale.
For example, CNET explains that while website builders are easy for beginners, custom websites often rank better on Google due to better technical foundations.
4. When to Choose Both
Sometimes, the right solution is a hybrid. You can start with a website builder and later hire a web designer to customize or improve it. This is especially common with platforms like WordPress, where designers can upgrade an existing template.
We often help clients transition from a basic website to a fully optimized custom site once their business grows. This gives them the best of both worlds—affordability upfront and scalability for the future.
Your Decision, Your Growth
So, should you hire a web designer or use a website builder? It depends on your budget, brand needs, and growth plans. If you just need something simple, start with a builder. But if you want a website that truly stands out, boosts conversions, and reflects your unique value, hiring a web designer is the smarter long-term move.
Need expert help? Contact AshSalt Consultancy today to discover how we can build a site that grows with your business.
