The Problem With DIY Websites (and How to Fix Yours Without Starting From Scratch)
DIY website builders like Squarespace, Wix, and Shopify make it easy to get online fast. But speed can come at a cost: low conversions, poor SEO, and design that doesn’t reflect your brand.
If you built your site yourself and it’s not working, here’s what to look for—and how to fix it without rebuilding from zero.
1. The Site Looks Fine But Doesn’t Convert
The biggest DIY issue isn’t looks—it’s performance. Many sites are “pretty” but don’t lead to bookings, sales, or enquiries.
Fix this by:
Making your offer and target audience clear on your homepage
Adding strong calls to action (CTAs) throughout the site
Reducing clicks to important pages (like booking or services)
Making it mobile-friendly and fast-loading (test it here)
If your contact form is buried, your leads are too.
2. You’re Not Showing Up in Google
Most DIY sites skip SEO basics. If you can’t be found, it doesn’t matter how good your offer is.
Check these:
Each page should have a unique meta title and description
Keywords should appear naturally in headings, text, and image alt tags
You’ve submitted your site to Google Search Console
Your site is SSL-secure (uses HTTPS)
Your business has a Google Business Profile
These small actions help Google understand your site and show it to the right people.
3. It’s All On One Page
Single-page sites seem simple—but they limit your ability to rank, communicate clearly, and grow.
Better structure:
One page per service
About page that builds trust
Contact page with form, phone, and map if local
Blog or resource section (even if you start with one post)
This helps with SEO and user experience. Each page becomes a keyword opportunity and a trust-builder.
4. The Words Are Generic
Most DIY sites use placeholder text or vague copy like “bespoke solutions” or “we help you thrive.”
Replace this with:
Clear messaging about who it’s for
Specific problems you solve
How your process works
Proof (results, testimonials, experience)
Use real language your clients would say. Make it about them, not you.
5. You’re Using a Template That Doesn’t Fit
Templates are a starting point—but most need tweaking. If your site looks like hundreds of others, it doesn’t reflect your value.
You don’t need a total rebuild. A designer can:
Customise your template
Refine your site structure
Optimise for SEO
Update your images, fonts, and layout
This keeps your existing content but improves how it performs.
You don’t need to start again.
You need a site that works for your business goals—not just one that looks OK.
