DIY vs. Custom Website: Which One Is Right for You?
If you're starting a wellness business, one of the first big decisions you'll face is how to get your website up and running.
Should you DIY it using a template?
Should you hire a designer to build it all from scratch?
Or… is there something in between?
If you’ve been Googling for answers, you’ve probably seen strong opinions on both sides. But here’s the truth: there’s no one-size-fits-all solution—just the one that fits you and the season of business you’re in.
This post breaks down the pros and cons of the most common options, so you can choose the right path with confidence (and without wasting time or money).
🛠️ Option 1: The DIY Website (Using a Template)
This is usually the most budget-friendly way to get a website online—especially with platforms like Squarespace that make design feel more accessible.
DIY-ing your site means using a pre-designed template (like the ones we offer here at The Wellness Site Shop) and customizing it on your own.
✅ Pros:
Affordable: You’ll usually just pay for the template and a Squarespace subscription
Quick to launch: If you’ve got your content ready, you can get your site live in a few days
Full creative control: You decide how things look and where everything goes
Learn as you go: You’ll develop clarity around your offers, ideal clients, and brand by working through the content and structure yourself
🚩 Cons:
Learning curve: Even the most intuitive platforms require some trial and error
Can be time-consuming: If you’re not naturally tech-savvy, it may take longer than you expect
Risk of “meh” design: Without guidance, it's easy to end up with a cluttered or off-brand site
Overwhelm is real: You might start with excitement and hit a wall midway through
✨ Best for:
New entrepreneurs who are tech-comfortable, have the time to learn, and want to save money by doing it themselves
🎨 Option 2: A Fully Custom Website
This is the route many people assume they have to take to get a “real” website—but it’s not always necessary.
A fully custom website is built from scratch by a designer or agency to match your brand, strategy, and goals. If you have an established business and a clear vision, it can be a powerful investment.
✅ Pros:
Completely tailored to you: Every detail can be customized to fit your unique needs
Strategy-backed design: A good designer will build your site to support your marketing and client journey
Hands-off: You don’t have to do the heavy lifting
🚩 Cons:
Expensive: Custom sites can range anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000+
Longer timelines: Projects often take several weeks to several months
Still requires input: You’ll need to provide content, make decisions, and collaborate on the process
Overkill for beginners: If your offers aren’t clear yet, you might outgrow your design too quickly
✨ Best for:
Established businesses with clear messaging, a solid brand, and the budget to invest in a strategic website experience
💡 What If You’re Somewhere In Between?
Here’s the truth that no one tells you:
Most new wellness entrepreneurs are right in the middle.
You want a site that looks polished and professional.
You want it to reflect your energy and your expertise.
You don’t want to spend a fortune—or spend three months DIY-ing it at 10pm every night.
Sound familiar? That’s exactly why we created an in-between option that combines the best of both worlds.
🌟 The Sweet Spot: Template + Done-For-You Install
At The Wellness Site Shop, we offer Squarespace templates and a full Install Package to make your website launch feel like a sigh of relief instead of another stressful to-do.
Here's how it works:
You pick a template that fits your vibe and business goals
You send us your content—your words, photos, logo, and brand colors
We build it for you—setting everything up inside Squarespace, customizing it to match your brand, and making sure it’s mobile-friendly and optimized to convert
You get a beautiful, strategic website built specifically for wellness businesses—without the custom price tag or the tech headache.
✅ Benefits of the Template Restyle Package:
Professional design without the custom cost
Fast turnaround (typically just a few days once we have your content)
Built-in best practices for SEO, client flow, and ease of use
Designed by someone who gets the wellness space
You walk away with a finished, fully functional website you can be proud of
🧘♀️ Which Option Is Right for You?
Here’s how we like to think about it:
If You’re...Go With...On a tight budget and love to tinkerDIY TemplateEstablished and want a highly personalized experienceCustom WebsiteNew-ish and want a professional site without the stressTemplate + Install Package
Wherever you’re at in your journey, your website should feel like a supportive tool—not a source of frustration.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s connection. A thoughtful, strategic site can help you:
Book more of the right clients
Feel proud sharing your link
Grow your business with confidence
And you don’t have to do it alone.
Ready to Create a Website That Works With You?
🌿 Browse Our Squarespace Templates – Designed specifically for coaches, therapists, and wellness pros
🌿 Learn About Our Template Restyle Package – Get your site professionally set up, without the overwhelm