The Difference between DIY and Custom Built Websites

Given the dramatic increase in connectivity around the world, the option for thriving businesses to miss out on having an established online presence is a thing of the past. Be they at home, at work, or out and about, many people would rather obtain their information via the internet rather than coming to visit your business in person, or even using the phone. Having a website is a must to keep up with the ever-busy lifestyle of the average person, and so it’s important to represent yourself in a clean, professional way online in order to appeal to your customer. You might be thinking to yourself “How does one go about creating a website?” Well there are two answers, both quite simple: you can set yourself up on a DIY website creator such as Squarespace, Wix, or Weebly, OR you can have your website custom built by professional web designers such as ourselves at Saltmedia.

DIY Websites

Building a DIY website comes at little cost to the owner and is easy to do. Once you choose which service suits you best, all you need to do is pick one of many pre-made templates and fill in the blanks. DIY websites are convenient and can be created by just about anybody. Great, right? Well maybe not so much. Having any presence online is most certainly advantageous to a business, but the quality of the website is where you truly make your mark. The limitations of DIY website templates create a cookie cutter feel to your website that will rarely leave a mark on people visiting your website. And unless you’re a writing wiz, you’ll be lacking in compelling, SEO (search engine optimized) content that will draw in and engage visitors. Not to mention the fact that once your website is built, it is bound to whichever service you used. As a business owner, it just isn’t smart to hand out ownership rights over something as important as a website.

  1. you will never own your DIY website, you will always rent it from weebly, wix, telus or yellow pages.
  2. You can only customize what your provider allows.

Custom-Built Websites

A custom-built website is by and large the Cadillac of websites. It’s costlier, but the features and advantages of the service practically pay for themselves. When you hire a web design company--like Grande Prairie’s own Saltmedia--to build a customized website, you’re free to expect great things. Say goodbye to rigid templates! Custom-built websites are tailor made to suit your needs and have no limitations—your website will look and feel exactly the way you want it to. They are built from the ground up using your preferences, so that your website’s visitors have a true feel for what your business is all about. As the adage goes, a first impression is a lasting one.

As mentioned above, it’s important to be accessible anywhere, anytime online. Custom websites can be (and usually are) optimized for use on any device, and SEO content is used to boost your presence in search engines like Google (if you want to put in the work, you can even make it to the top!). Better still, you own your website instead of renting it. Think of it as an investment. Rather than making payments on a DIY website that you fussed over for hours and with all its limitations, you’ll make a one-time payment for a professionally designed product that fits you like a glove.

  1. Fits your business
  2. Completely customizable
  3. You own your website

On top of that, if you work with us at Saltmedia you’ll have the comfort of knowing that your website will be constantly monitored to ensure that it’s in working order 24/7.

Creating success online is our motto! If you have further questions about obtaining a professionally designed website for your business, municipal, or non-profit purposes, or if you’d like to jump in and work with us, give Saltmedia a call today at 780-539-7258!

About Angie Saltman

I'm President and Visionary Lead at Saltmedia.  Hi! I’m a big ideas person with an extensive technical and creative background. Together with my fantastic team, we bring great ideas to life. Let’s put our heads together and create some success!
We love building great websites and creating effective marketing strategies. Let’s spice up your online presence today!
Proudly Métis owned
Office Address
#101, 10418 99 Ave
Grande Prairie, AB
T8V 0S3
Mailing Address
PO Box 23072 GP
AB, T8V 6X2
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Saltmedia Inc operates on the traditional territory of Treaty 8 in what is now known as Grande Prairie. We value the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit who lived and cared for this land long before Canada was founded, and we recognize that it is a privilege to operate our business here.


Our Prince George site operates on the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh.


We are grateful to the Elders and Knowledge Keepers who are with us today, and those who’ve gone before us.

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