How to Choose the Right Website Solution for Your Business
If you're ready to get your business online, you'll quickly discover there isn't just one way to do it.
You could build your own website, hire a web designer, use a website builder or choose a professionally built business page.
Each option has its advantages, and the right choice depends on what your business actually needs.
Many business owners assume they need the biggest or most advanced solution available. In reality, the best website solution is usually the one that helps your customers find the information they need as simply as possible.
This guide will help you choose the option that's right for your business.
What Are Your Options?
There are four common ways to establish a professional online presence.
Build a Website Yourself
Website builders such as Wix, Squarespace and WordPress allow you to design and manage your own website.
This option gives you complete control but also means you're responsible for creating, publishing and maintaining the website yourself.
Hire a Web Designer
A freelance web designer or agency can create a bespoke website that's tailored to your business.
This is often the right choice for businesses with complex requirements or those wanting a completely custom website.
Use a Professionally Built Business Page
Instead of building a website yourself, a professionally built business page gives you a simple online presence that's created for you.
It's designed for businesses that want to get online quickly without the complexity of a traditional website project.
Do Nothing
Some businesses rely entirely on word of mouth or social media.
While this may work for a period of time, many customers now expect businesses to have a professional online presence where they can quickly find information and make contact.
What Does Your Business Actually Need?
Before choosing a solution, ask yourself a few simple questions.
Do you need:
An online shop?
Online bookings?
Customer accounts?
Multiple website pages?
Advanced functionality?
Or do you simply need customers to:
Learn about your business
View your services
See examples of your work
Read customer reviews
Contact you easily
Many service-based businesses only need the second list.
If that's the case, a professionally built business page may be the better choice.
How Much Time Do You Want to Spend?
Time is one of the biggest factors when choosing a website solution.
Building your own website means learning new software, designing pages and managing updates.
Hiring a web designer reduces your workload but still involves planning, meetings and feedback throughout the project.
A professionally built business page requires very little of your time.
With PageNow, you complete a 5-minute onboarding form and we'll professionally build your page for you.
How Much Control Do You Need?
Some business owners enjoy complete creative control.
Others simply want a professional online presence without having to make lots of design decisions.
If you want to control every aspect of your website, a website builder or custom web designer is likely to be the better option.
If your priority is getting online quickly with minimal effort, a professionally built business page offers a much simpler experience.
What Features Do You Need?
Think carefully about what your customers actually need.
You may benefit from a traditional website if you require:
E-commerce
Online bookings
Customer accounts
Membership areas
Multiple landing pages
Advanced integrations
However, many businesses simply need to showcase their services and make it easy for customers to get in touch.
Adding unnecessary features often makes websites more complicated without adding value.
Which Option Is Best for Small Service-Based Businesses?
For many service-based businesses, simplicity wins.
If your customers mainly want to understand what you do and contact you, a professional PageNow business page is often all that's needed.
This is especially true for businesses such as:
Electricians
Plumbers
Gardeners
Cleaners
Personal trainers
Coaches
Consultants
Tutors
Photographers
Dog walkers
Decorators
Handymen
Beauty professionals
These businesses usually benefit more from a clear, professional online presence than a large, feature-heavy website.
When Should You Choose PageNow?
PageNow is designed for businesses that want to get online quickly and professionally without building a website themselves.
It may be the right choice if you:
Want a professional online presence
Don't want to build your own website
Don't need e-commerce or booking systems
Want to be online within 24 hours
Prefer someone else to create your page
Want an affordable monthly subscription
PageNow removes the technical side of getting online so you can focus on running your business.
When Should You Choose a Different Solution?
A different solution may be better if you need:
A fully bespoke website
An online shop
Online payments
Booking functionality
Multiple departments or locations
Complex integrations
Complete design flexibility
There's no single solution that's right for every business.
The best choice depends on your goals rather than the number of features available.
Our Recommendation
Choose a website builder if you want to design and manage your own website.
Choose a web designer if you need a fully customised website with advanced functionality.
Choose PageNow if your goal is simple:
You want a professional online presence that's built for you, published within 24 hours and easy to keep up to date.
For many small businesses, that's exactly what's needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which website solution is right for me?
Start by thinking about what your customers need. If they simply need to learn about your business and contact you, a professional business page may be enough.
Is the most expensive option always the best?
No. The best solution is the one that meets your business needs without unnecessary complexity.
Should I build my own website?
If you enjoy learning new software and want complete control, building your own website can be a great option.
When should I hire a web designer?
A web designer is usually the right choice if you need a bespoke website with advanced functionality.
Who is PageNow designed for?
PageNow is designed for sole traders, freelancers and small service-based businesses that want a professional online presence without building a website themselves.
How quickly can I get online with PageNow?
Complete the 5-minute onboarding form and we'll professionally build your business page. Your page will be live within 24 hours.
Ready to Get Your Business Online?
PageNow makes it easy to get your business online with a professionally built business page—without the time, cost or complexity of building a website yourself.
✓ Live within 24 hours
✓ 5-minute onboarding
✓ Professionally built for you
✓ Just £6.99/month
✓ Cancel anytime
Get started today and let us build your business page, so you can focus on running your business.
