Ever tried to build your charity’s website late at night, only to find yourself stuck trying to find out how to move a text box from there, to THERE? URRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGG. We’ve all been there. Deciding whether to DIY your site or hire a professional can feel like one of those impossible riddles.
Your website is the heart of your charity online. It’s where people come to learn about your mission, donate, and connect with you. So it needs to work. But how you build it depends on your skills, budget, and time.
DIY Websites: The Good, the Bad, and the Reality
If you’re the kind of person who loves a challenge, DIY might sound tempting. Platforms like Squarespace, Wix, or WordPress are affordable and come with user-friendly tools. You can drag, drop, tweak, and make something that looks pretty good.
The Perks
Budget-Friendly
Building a website can improve your digital literacy and tech skills.
Gaining the ability to create and manage your own website can be empowering.
The Drawbacks
Time-Consuming: Learning to use the platform, making it look right, and fixing techy issues takes time—time you might not have.
Limited Features: Templates are great, but they can only do so much. Want something truly unique or a clever function? That’s where it gets tricky.
No Safety Net: If things go wrong, it’s on you to figure it out (or call in a friend who “knows computers”).
DIY works best if you’ve got a small, straightforward project, a tight budget, and enough hours in the day to learn the ropes.
Why Hiring a Pro Could Be a Game-Changer
Now let’s talk about going pro. Bringing in a web designer means you’re getting expertise, experience, and a whole lot of stress lifted off your shoulders.
What You Get
Custom Design: Your website will look and feel like you, not just another charity template.
Built for Growth: A designer can plan for future needs, like a blog, donation pages, or shop.
Tech Know-How: SEO, GDPR compliance, and mobile optimisation—all sorted.
Time Saved: While you’re busy running your charity, your website is being built in the background. And the whole process should be quicker for you. I've had years of experience and can turn a website around in a few weeks.
Strategic Edge: A professional designer doesn’t just make your site look nice—they make it work smarter.
The Catch
Cost: A professionally built website is an investment. But for many charities, it’s worth every penny.
Less Immediate Control: You’ll work closely with your designer, but they’ll handle the nitty-gritty.
Hiring a pro is ideal if your charity has big goals or specific needs—like integrating a donation platform or showcasing lots of content.
How to Decide: Key Questions to Ask Yourself
What’s your budget?
How much time do you have?
What features do you need?
How confident are you with tech?
How important is your website to your charity’s mission?
Success Stories to Inspire You
Take Hackney Children & Baby Bank. Their professional website is as vibrant and practical as the families they support. Or Black Girls Do Run UK—its sleek, bold design encourages connection and empowerment.
These sites aren’t just functional; they tell a story, making a lasting impression on visitors. When you work with a friendly web designer (hello, that’s me!), you’re not just getting a website. You’re getting a partner who understands your mission and wants to help you succeed.
If you want to DIY your website
Not ready to hire a pro? Don’t worry—you can still create a website that works hard for your charity, even on a budget. That’s why I’ve put together a free email series: a step-by-step guide to building your own charity website.
In this series, I’ll share:
How to choose the right platform for your needs.
Tips for creating content that connects.
Tricks for making your site rank on Google.
Whether you’re starting from scratch or revamping an existing site, this series will give you the tools and confidence to tackle it yourself.
If you are thinking of going pro...
Need more than DIY can offer? Let’s chat about creating a professional website that reflects your mission, inspires trust, and grows with your charity.
When you work with me, you’re not just getting a website—you’re getting:
Custom design: A site that looks and feels like you.
Strategic planning: Built for future growth, whether that’s a blog, donation page, or shop.
Stress-free tech: SEO, GDPR compliance, and mobile optimisation—all sorted.
More time for you: Focus on running your charity while I handle the build.
Your charity deserves a website that works as hard as you do. Get in touch, and let’s create something amazing together!