Should I Design My Own Website?

Drag-and-Drop CMSes versus Dedicated Web Developers

The Dilemma of Website Redesign

Rebranding your high-traffic website is no small feat. As a marketing leader, you’re probably weighing whether to take the DIY route with a drag-and-drop editor or hire professional web developers. The question looms:Is there really that much of a difference? Spoiler alert: there is! Let’s break it down so you can make an informed decision.

Drag and Drop Web Editors: The DIY Approach

Drag and drop editors like those which can be used within WordPress (via plugins), Webflow, and Wix support even the most novice users. They’re accessible, affordable, and perfect for new companies and small businesses.

Pros of Drag-and-Drop Editors

User-Friendly Interface

Even if you can't tell HTML from CSS, drag-and-drop editors have got your back. These tools are designed for non-techies, allowing you to create a website by simply dragging and dropping elements into place.

Speed and Efficiency

Time is money, right? With drag-and-drop editors, you can build your site faster than you can say "web development." You'll see changes in real time, which is a huge time-saver.

Cost-Effectiveness

Does anyone out there have a tight budget? I’m guessing (quite confidently) the answer is yes. Drag-and-drop editors might be your saving grace. Many offer free plans or affordable subscriptions, making them ideal for startups or small businesses with extra tight budgets.

Built-in Templates and Themes

These editors usually come with large libraries of pre-designed templates and themes, helping you achieve a professional look without breaking a sweat—or needing to hire a designer.

Cons of Drag-and-Drop Editors

Limited Customization

Here's where things get a bit sticky. If you have a specific vision for your site, drag-and-drop editors might leave you feeling like a square peg in a round hole. They often lack the flexibility for truly unique, standout designs.

Performance Issues at Scale

Sometimes drag-and-drop editors can generate bloated code, which might slow down your site as traffic grows and hurt your SEO. For smaller companies with less traffic, performance issues are probably not your number one concern. But as more people visit and more is asked of your site, you’ll start to see things lagging in terms of both user experience and SEO performance.

Generic Design Concerns

Let's be honest, nobody wants their website to look like it came from a cookie-cutter. With templates used by thousands, it may seem shallow, but standing out can be a challenge.

Hiring Web Developers: The Professional Approach

For those seeking more customization and scalability, hiring web developers is the only way to go. Web developers can be hired to customize the templates in CMSes like WordPress. However, leveraging these web developers to only customize a cookie-cutter template doesn’t really deliver the same value as a fully optimized user experience.

Pros of Hiring Web Developers

Expertise and Customization

Experienced web developers are valuable resources. They can make just about anything you dream up possible and can whip up a website that's tailored specifically for your brand, ensuring it stands out from competitors.

Scalability and Complex Functionality

As your business expands, your team can scale your website to meet increasing demands. They can handle complex features and integrations that might make a drag-and-drop editor throw in the towel.

Cons of Hiring Web Developers

Higher Initial Costs

Let's not sugarcoat it—hiring developers can be expensive. Finding tools and systems that allow these resources to focus on high-value design and implementation work (not low-value work like content tweaking) will be paramount.

Longer Development Time

The development process can take longer to start, which might test your patience if you're eager to launch. Over time, changes will be faster and it is likely to provide a substantial benefit to your website deliverable timelines. These risks can be mitigated with the right tooling that allows web developers to work collaboratively with your team to get things done correctly and on time.

Ongoing Dependency on Developers

Once you go custom, you're in it for the long haul. You'll likely need developers for updates and maintenance, creating a long-term dependency. But remember, HTML, CSS and Javascript are web standards and finding good help isn’t the most difficult problem to solve.

How to Decide What’s Best

Factors to Consider for High-Traffic Websites

Scalability (Performance and Security)

A fast-loading, secure website is essential for high traffic. Consider how each option impacts your site's performance and ensure your choice supports your goals. For example, in the last year, WordPress has been in the news numerous times for issues with SQL injection vulnerabilities.

SEO Optimization Capabilities

Your beautiful new site won't matter if no one can find it. Evaluate how well each approach supports SEO requirements like clean code, metadata customization, and even page load speeds.

Integration with Existing Systems

Your website doesn't exist in a vacuum. It needs to play nice with your other business systems. This is why, at Leed, we have built the CMS alongside other important marketing tools like lead capture/nurturing and in-depth analytics with a strong focus on first-party data.

Making the Right Choice for Your Rebranding Project

Assess Your Technical Resources

Take stock of your in-house capabilities. Does your team have the skills to manage a drag-and-drop editor, or do you need professional expertise?

Evaluate Budget and Timeline

Be realistic about your budget and launch date. Sometimes, the cheapest option isn’t the fastest—or the best long-term investment. Oftentimes, trying to customize a free template to do what you want takes more effort than starting new.

Consider Future Growth and Scalability

Think long-term. Will the solution you choose today still work as your business scales in the next few years?

Balancing Ease of Use with Professional Results

The best choice depends on your specific needs, resources, and goals. And there isn’t necessarily going to be a clear-cut answer. 

For high-traffic  sites, for example, you may want the customization and scale of a professional firm. This is what we are solving at Leed by providing a Generative CMS that supports various marketing workflows within the same platform, including developer-friendly tooling for the front-end web design.

No matter which path you choose, remember this: your website is often the first impression customers have of your brand. Make it count!