Do You Need to Be a Web Designer to Build a Website? (Spoiler Alert, No!)

I’ll start by saying, somewhat controversially, that many web designers will tell you that you need an expert to build a website if you want a top-performing website.

I’ll play devil’s advocate now and ask you, what constitutes a top-performing website?

For me, a successful website describes who you are and how you help your clients or customers, it leads them on a journey through your website to your products or services and provides them with a way to contact you.

That constitutes the basis of a good website.

Now, let’s level up from that, your website also needs to be searchable.

How Can People Find Your Website?

Most people use Google as their main search engine so you will need to utilise some SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) best practices to help Google find you.

Thankfully, if you build your website with Wix like I did, then they have an SEO checklist that walks you through some of those best practices to implement.

Additionally, a great way for potential clients and customers to find you is by creating a Google business profile that allows you to share your business's location.

One of the first places I ranked on Google was for a search for Virtual Assistants in Newcastle.

Here’s a search engine tip: Do not underestimate the power of Pinterest.

Did you know Pinterest is a search engine, not a social media platform?

Since Pinterest is a search engine, you can use SEO best practices to be discoverable on Pinterest as well as Google.

Not only is Pinterest a fun visual way of showcasing your product or services, but it is also a fantastic and highly effective way to drive traffic to your website that lasts much longer than social media.

Let’s talk social media because you shouldn’t dismiss it altogether, as much as we would like to sometimes!

Make sure you link through to your website on your social media profiles.

You can even create a LinkTree profile and link to several different pages on your website depending on your specific call to action for that period.

Social media platforms such as Instagram are leaning into SEO now, which means you must use specific keywords related to your area of expertise so that the platform knows exactly who you are and what you do.

Finally, an excellent way to show your expertise, provide value and bolster that all-important SEO is to add a blog to your website.

Each blog article you write has the potential to show up on Google, but possibly more importantly, you can link through to every blog post you write on Pinterest and your social platforms.

You may not be an expert in SEO but if you can get to grips with the basics, it will help massively with the discoverability of your website.

Oh, and by the way, a web designer might not necessarily be an expert in SEO either which is why they often outsource that work to an SEO expert.

Just another example of why you don’t need a web designer to build your website.

How Can I Build a Website with No Experience?

Back in the day, the only way to create a website was if you knew how to code, become a whizz with WordPress and pay a fortune to a web designer.

Thankfully for us mere mortals, there are an abundance of web builders on the market making it a whole lot easier to build a website from scratch with no experience.

Top easy-to-use web builders currently available:

1. Wix

2. ShowIt

3. Squarespace

4. Go Daddy

5. Shopify

They all use templates to create websites that work very much like Canva allowing you to drag and drop elements onto blank pages or existing templates.

You can use different fonts specific to your brand, change the colours, add photos and videos and so much more.

Not only are they great for customising your branding but they also have a range of features that let you do most things needed to run a small business such as email marketing, payments, selling products, creating blogs, and adding events and calendars.

Think of these web builders as a one-stop shop for all your website needs.

You Don’t Need a Degree in Design to Build a Website

The best thing about creating a website from scratch is that you have the final say on all of the design elements from the colour palette to the fonts to the layout.

Then, upon completion, I guarantee you will feel such a sense of achievement that you have done it all yourself, go you!

Not only that, but going forward you will be able to make all future updates and changes because you will know exactly how everything works. Result!

Don’t panic if you don’t know where to start though.

Draw on inspiration from others within your niche.

Obviously, you shouldn’t copy their designs, but you can adapt elements of others’ websites into your own, or equally, discount any elements that you don’t want on your website.

I love browsing Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration on colour schemes and font combinations.

My tip for web designing: Think about what brings you joy in your life.

For example, if you love hiking in the woods in Autumn followed by a drink next to a log fire in a cosy pub at the end of your walk, think about the colours associated with your hike.

Colour palette inspiration from a photo

Your website should reflect your personality, not just be a generic space on the internet that people will overlook because it doesn’t stand out.

What makes your web design stand out compared to everyone else is that it will be uniquely you.

That is your web design superpower.

Now is the time to put on your cape and explore the endless possibilities a bespoke self-built website can offer.

Let's ask the question again, Do you need to be a web designer to build a website?

I hope you’ve now realised you don’t need to be a web designer to build a website.

All you need is a decent all-in-one web builder, the determination to finish your website and the desire to showcase your personality and products to the world!

I spent months overthinking the right web builder which led me to complete action paralysis and I certainly don’t want that for you.

That’s why I developed a Wix website tutorial that guides you through building your website.

I wanted to create this resource to help people break free of their own state of action paralysis!

If that sounds like you, I’d highly encourage you to watch the tutorial to give you the boost you need to get started:

“I watched the tutorial last night Janie!! It was so helpful and really well put together. The video has given me kick up the bum I needed.” - Chloe Goodman

That quote pretty much says it all really!

What are you waiting for? Access the Wix Tutorial here for that "kick up the bum"