So you’ve decided to start a business and now you’re looking into designing a website. But with so many options available, where do you even start?

Don’t worry friend, I’ve got you covered. In this post, I’ll break down your options for designing a website on any budget so you can choose the option that makes the most sense for you.

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How to Design a Website on Any Budget

So when it comes to designing a website, you have four options:

Design it yourself
Use a premade template
Invest in a course
Hire a designer

Let’s see what’s involved in each of those options.

Option 1: Design It Yourself

The first option is to design your website yourself. Now, this doesn’t mean you have to go out there and learn how to code. (Although, that’s certainly an option — if you have time!). There are plenty of DIY-friendly website builders and platforms out there that make it as easy as possible to get a website up and running.

A few examples include Squarespace (my personal favorite!), WordPress, Shopify, and Showit. There are dozens of more options out there but these four are the easiest to work with and can be used for a variety of small business websites.

So if you choose this route, you’ll have to pick a platform and get familiar with it so you can decide which platform makes the most sense for you. Different platforms offer different features and not all of them are a great choice for *every* type of website.

For example, Shopify is a great choice for eCommerce websites but won’t make a good option for a coaching website. Or, Showit is a great option if you want complete control over your website’s design but it wouldn’t be a great choice for a membership site.

I’d recommend this option if any of the following is true:

You’re just getting started
Your budget is very limited
You love a hands-on approach and want to get down and dirty with your website
You have plenty of time before you officially launch

This is also the cheapest option as it won’t cost you anything but your time. However, you will probably spend a fair amount of time looking up tutorials and resources to show you how something works or to achieve a specific look.

As far as time investment goes, it really depends on how much free time you have on a daily basis to work on your site as well as how familiar you are with the tech. It could take as little as a week and as long as a couple of months.

On the plus side, once you’re done, you’ll feel super accomplished and you’ll have a good understanding of how your platform works.

If you decide to go with this option, here are a few recommended resources to help you out:

Option 2: Use A Premade Template

Another option is to use a premade template or a theme for your website. This is still in the realm of doing it yourself but this time you won’t be starting from scratch. Instead, you’ll use a template that was designed by someone else to create your website.

Then, all you need to do is add your content, replace the images, and change the colors, fonts, and other elements to match your brand.

This option saves you a ton of time plus it gives you a professional look for the fraction of the price. What’s even better is that most website platforms have tons of templates to choose from.

Some platforms, like Squarespace, have built-in free templates. Others, like Shopify, Showit, and WordPress, have a theme/template marketplace or repository where you can find free templates.

Plus, there are tons more premium templates for all of these platforms that were built by designers who specialize in that specific platform. The price for premium templates differs depending on the platform.

For example, Squarespace templates typically range between $149-$299+ while Showit templates can cost as little as $97 to as much as $997+.

Pssst, did you know that I offer Squarespace templates? Check out the shop and find your favorite!

Timewise, this is probably one of the fastest options as most of the work is already done, all you need to do is customize the template.

Similarly to the DIY option, you’ll have to decide which platform makes the most sense for you, and then you’ll have to find a template you really like. Depending on your budget, you could opt for a free template or you could go straight for the premium template.

Another thing to keep in mind is that some templates will include video tutorials that will show you how to recreate the template from scratch, while others will come pre-installed into your account or you’ll import a file to install the template/theme.

I’d recommend this option if any of the following is true:

You don’t mind DIY-ing but you don’t want to start from complete scratch
You have your copy, images, and the rest of the content and branding done
You don’t mind spending money to get a professional-looking website

If you decide to go with a premade template, the following posts will be helpful:

Option 3: Invest In A Course

If templates aren’t your cup of tea, you can invest in a course that teaches you how to design a website from the ground up. The beauty of this approach is that, in most cases, you’ll learn a ton more than just how to get your website up and running.

You’ll learn the ins and outs of your preferred platform and will be confident in making future updates.

Some courses may also cover the basics of branding as well as how to market your brand new website which gives you a rock-solid foundation to grow your business.

As with the previous two options, you’ll first have to figure out what platform makes sense for your business, and then it’s a matter of finding the right course.

As far as financial investment goes, the price depends on the platform and how much material the course covers. I’ve seen courses for as low as $97 and as high as $700 so it really depends.

Speaking of time commitment, it varies. Some courses are self-paced so it’s a matter of finding the time to work through the course and how quickly you want it done. Others release modules on a weekly basis or as you complete the previous module which can slow down your progress some.

When it comes to courses, keep in mind that some courses aren’t available year-round. They only open for enrollment at specific times so you’ll have to get on a waitlist to be notified the next time the course launches. My course that teaches you how to design a website on Squarespace is open year round for enrollment.

I’d recommend this option if you can tick the following boxes:

You’re just getting started
You have a limited budget
You don’t mind DIY-ing but you’d rather have guidance on how to do it right

If you decide to go with this option, the following posts will be helpful and go nicely along with a course:

Option 4: Hire a Designer

If you’ve read through all of the options above and decided that DIY is most definitely not your cup of tea, you have another option: hiring a designer. There are numerous designers out there that specialize in different platforms so finding the right designer can be a little tricky. However, it’s not impossible.

This is, arguably, the most expensive option, however, it can also save you a ton of time as you can focus on getting everything else ready while the designer works on your site.

Plus, you’ll also get a professional design that is unique to you and your brand paired with a strategy that will help you grow your business.

Keep in mind that most designers are often booked out a couple of months in advance so you’ll want to reach out early enough to secure your spot on their calendar.

And, since each designer has their own process, you could be looking at anywhere from 2 weeks to a couple of months before your website is done.

That said, I don’t recommend hiring a designer if you’re just getting started. Strange coming from a designer’s mouth, but hear me out for a sec.

When you’re just getting started, chances are your business will evolve and change throughout the first year. You’ll be refining your offers and your ideal client avatar throughout your first year as well as getting super clear on your message. This is all normal as you start to get familiar with what your ideal clients truly want.

Because of this, your website will naturally change. Hiring a designer can be quite expensive at this stage, especially if you end up tweaking your website every other month or so.

So, it makes a lot more sense to start off with any of the three methods mentioned above and then hire a designer when you’ve nailed your offers and you’re making some consistent income.

I’d recommend this option if the following is true:

You’ve been in business for at least a year

You’re clear on your message
You know what your clients want and your offers are selling
You’re making consistent income every month

That said, if you’re dead set on hiring a designer right out of the gate, the following posts will be helpful:

Final Thoughts

So, to recap, you can design a website on any budget. It’s just a matter of deciding which option is the best choice for you and your budget. You should also take into consideration how much time you have to dedicate to this project.

If you want to get your website up and running as quickly as possible, starting with a template or a course is a good choice.

But, if you have time and the budget, you might want to consider hiring a designer. Lastly, if you have the time but no budget, the DIY route is probably your best bet.