Find a Web Designer near you
The average rating for Bark Web Designers is 4.91, based on 1,002,896 reviews
5/5
based on 1,002,896 reviews
When launching a website for your business or personal project, you must decide between using a DIY website builder or hiring a professional web designer. This guide examines the leading website builders of 2025, their features, limitations, and how they compare to professional web design services. By the end, you'll have a clearer understanding of which option provides the best value for your specific needs.
Website builders have evolved significantly in recent years, with artificial intelligence (AI) now playing a key role in simplifying the design process. Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy, Hostinger, and Dorik have integrated AI tools that create themed designs tailored to your preferences and industry.
These AI-driven assistants offer support in layout suggestions and content creation, making it easier for beginners to craft professional-looking websites. According to a Statista report, over half of small business websites are now built using DIY website builders, with AI-enhanced platforms experiencing the fastest growth.
Each platform offers distinct AI functionalities:
Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence): Crafts a complete website based on your responses to a few questions.
Squarespace AI Tools: Assist in content generation and design enhancement suggestions.
GoDaddy InSight: Offers personalised action plans aligned with your business objectives.
When evaluating website builders, consider factors like user-friendliness, design flexibility, eCommerce capabilities, and pricing. Here's how the leading contenders compare:
Wix offers over 900 templates and an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, making it ideal for small businesses needing eCommerce functionality, email marketing tools, and SEO optimization. Pricing starts at £8.50/month for basic plans, with eCommerce plans from £17/month. While Wix excels in design flexibility, its extensive feature set can be overwhelming for absolute beginners. For those looking to enhance their online presence, exploring web design tips to grow your business online can be beneficial.
Known for its stunning templates, Squarespace is perfect for creative professionals, portfolios, and businesses prioritizing visual appeal. Although it offers fewer templates than Wix (around 100), each is meticulously crafted. Squarespace plans start at £13/month, with business plans at £21/month. Despite its beauty, Squarespace has a more rigid editing experience compared to Wix and may not suit those who want full design control.
GoDaddy Website Builder is designed for those who want to launch quickly without complex customisation. Its built-in InSight tool provides tailored recommendations to help improve your site’s performance. It supports basic eCommerce and blogging features, with plans starting at £6.99/month. However, it lacks the design sophistication and flexibility of Wix or Squarespace, making it better suited for very small businesses or side projects.
Hostinger’s drag-and-drop builder is one of the most affordable options on the market, with plans starting at just £2.99/month. It’s especially useful for personal websites, portfolios, and simple business pages. The platform includes essential features like AI text generation, image tools, and mobile responsiveness. That said, it’s not the best choice for scaling or complex eCommerce needs.
Dorik is a newer platform known for its minimal design aesthetic and ultra-lightweight performance. It offers lifetime pricing and is growing in popularity with freelancers and developers who value speed and simplicity. Dorik is great for landing pages, blogs, and small business sites, but it may lack the depth of integrations and tools found in more mature builders like Wix or Squarespace.
While DIY builders offer affordability, speed, and control, they come with learning curves and limitations in customisation. On the other hand, professional web designers can deliver bespoke websites that align perfectly with your brand and goals - especially important for businesses with specific functionality or branding requirements.
Hiring a professional also saves time and ensures your website is optimised for SEO, speed, and conversions from the outset. However, this approach is significantly more expensive and often requires longer turnaround times.
Choose a DIY website builder if you have a limited budget, need a website fast, and are comfortable learning basic design tools.
Hire a professional web designer if you require advanced functionality, want a unique brand presence, or need help with SEO and performance optimization.
In many cases, a hybrid approach works well - using a builder like Wix or Squarespace to launch quickly, then consulting a professional for later optimisation. Whichever route you choose, the most important step is to start building and improving your web presence today.
The average rating for Bark Web Designers is 4.91, based on 1,002,896 reviews
5/5
based on 1,002,896 reviews
Not sure how much it costs to design and build a website? Read our handy guide to find out just how much a website design service will charge based on your location, the complexity of the website, and more!
