Should I build my own site or use a pre-made site?

Question

Does anyone have recommendations on what I should do for my investor website? I've seen many different sites. There are the sites that appear to be "off the shelf" and then some investors look like they create their own sites (or have someone do it for them).

Thoughts/opinions?

I have a good web design program on my computer and could have a professional looking site up and running in days. Then itd be on to figuring out the seo and google adwords strategy. Thanks!

Jim Stardust · Answer

Get something up as quickly as you can, if you can do it yourself, that's great.  If not, hire some freelancer and they can get you up and running in no time, for almost nothing.  As your business grows and improves, you can add and modify the content of your site.  Take elements that impressed you from other sites and try to incorporate them into yours.  Most importantly, you have to ask yourself this question (and be able to answer it), what do you hope to accomplish from having a website?  Build traffic, improve image and reputation, distribute and share information, or just want something to put on your business card?  The answer might help you choose which route to take and how much money/time you need to invest in having your own unique website.

Elena Smith · Answer

With Go Daddy and so many websites offering free web platforms (Tumblr, Wordpress, etc to build out sites) there are definitely ways to create your own - although with SEO it is sometimes better to leave it to the professionals, especially if you are in a larger market - you should consider what you want to accomplish with the site and who your competition is before you get started.

Donovan R. · Answer

Just checked my google ranks for both of my websites.  Within one week my new site I created with godaddy is ranking on the first page.  My second site, the pre made investor template site which has been up for a year is on page 6.

Point is, create your own.  It's not as hard as you think.

Rob Gillespie · Answer

Great question Nick! 
I had a custom one done, but with all of the templates out there, you can get one done for next to nothing! I would not get in with anyone that will charge you a large amount each month. You can host with Go Daddy for next to nothin!
I like to use video, if you wanna look at my site, it is in my profile. You can go to Rentacoder.com and get one built custom for cheap! Make sure you own your domain name though. Good luck!! :mrgreen:

P.S. I do not optimize my site, all of my traffic is generated through my marketing with my door hangers and craigslist.

Donovan R. · Answer

Jared I'd like to see your site.  From what I've read search engines "spiders" have a difficult time reading flash and javascript.

How are you doing with SEO?

Jared Vidales · Answer

It depends on how much money you want to spend. I had a computer engineering major at my university make a website for me with flash and everything for around 300$. But he was a student, typically graphic design/computer scripting guys charge 50-75$ per hour.

Donovan R. · Answer

I used a pre-made template site to start with.  I have little to no website building skills.  I thought it would take too much time to figure it all out.  I thought it was great at first and it did help me build a little credibility.  Problem is no one was finding it without me paying for it(adwords).  It was nearly non-existent even when you searched for it directly.

If you're looking for a site that can actually generate some leads I wouldn't recommend it.  I had a lot of problems with SEO on my pre-made site.  A free word-press document will actually rank higher right away.  Don't ask about the details (I barely know what's going on) but I guess the referred website get's all the traffic.

I hosted one with godaddy and it took me about 3 hours build and publish to it's current state with no experience.  I still have both of my sites up, look at them and see what you think. (they're in my sig)

Oh BTW, the website I designed is about $25 cheaper a month.  You pay for that template!

Joel Menke · Answer

From personal experience, I would suggest doing the work yourself. If you plan on doing any serious SEO, then you're going to want the control. That is if your willing to put in the time.

Things may take a little bit longer to figure out yourself, but definitely less expensive. And, you wont have to go through a third party. I was working with someone who had their site hosted and designed by a private company. Many little things were difficult to tweak because they locked down the server access so much. The hosting company would  then try to charge ridiculous fees to change the items themselves.

The people I worked with eventually found a better hosting service and now have much more control. Far fewer headaches every time something needs changed.

Carlos Flores · Answer

Sound advice.

Linda B. · Answer

You can have more control if you start from scratch, and could design something that makes you stand apart from competition. A lot of these template sites lack proper SEO structure. Either way, if you ware familiar with HTML and CSS, you will have more of an advantage.

Should I build my own site or use a pre-made site?

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