For many business owners, a website is one of their most important marketing tools. It’s where customers learn about your services, browse products, and decide whether to contact you. But once your website is built, you may wonder: “Can I maintain it myself, or do I need to rely on a web designer?”
The short answer is yes—you can manage your own website, but the ease and effectiveness of doing so depends on your platform, technical skills, and the time you’re willing to invest.
Modern Website Platforms Make It Easier
In the past, maintaining a website meant knowing HTML, CSS, and even some coding. Today, platforms like WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify have made website management much more user-friendly. They allow you to:
Update text and images with simple editing tools
Add blog posts or new products without coding knowledge
Install plugins or apps to add new features
Monitor basic analytics to track visitors
With a little training, many business owners can handle day-to-day updates on their own.
The Advantages of Doing It Yourself
Maintaining your own website gives you:
Control and flexibility. You don’t need to wait for a designer to make small changes.
Cost savings. Regular updates won’t require ongoing designer fees.
Faster updates. You can post announcements, new services, or promotions immediately.
For small businesses with simple sites, this independence can be a huge advantage.
Where Challenges Come In
While you can manage basic updates, there are areas where professional help is often necessary:
Technical issues and bugs. If your site breaks after a software update, troubleshooting can get complicated.
Search engine optimization (SEO). While you can add keywords, building a site that ranks well on Google often requires deeper knowledge.
Design consistency. Adding content yourself may lead to mismatched formatting or design flaws if you’re not careful.
Security. Protecting your site from hackers, malware, or downtime may require professional monitoring.
These are the kinds of issues that can eat up time and cause frustration if you try to go it alone.
A Hybrid Approach May Be Best
For many business owners, the ideal solution is a hybrid approach. You handle routine updates—like adding blog posts, swapping out photos, or updating hours—while leaving the technical, design, and security elements to a professional. Many web design companies even offer maintenance packages that include updates, backups, security checks, and ongoing support, giving you peace of mind while still keeping costs manageable.
Final Thoughts
Yes, you can maintain your own website without a web designer, especially with today’s user-friendly platforms. However, the level of independence you have depends on the complexity of your site and your comfort with technology. For most business owners, managing everyday updates is doable, but partnering with a professional for bigger tasks ensures your site stays secure, functional, and polished.
A well-maintained website is a powerful tool for growth. Whether you manage it yourself, rely on a designer, or use a mix of both, the key is making sure your site always reflects your business at its best.
At Windy City Web Designs, we aim to provide this for our clients by emphasizing creating websites that can achieve our client’s digital marketing goals. Every step of the way, we prioritize brand identity, growth, and profit-inclined actions. Whether it concerns a website redesign or content creation, we ensure our clients have a good online presence. Contact us here to see how to partner with us.