The DIY Gap: Why Building Your Own Website Is So Hard!
The DIY Gap - the space between what you think you should be able to DIY and actually getting it done (and done well!)
Are you a DIY-or-Die-er? Me too.
The DIY movement is huge right now, and I love how it inspires creativity and empowers people to try new things. Whether it’s building a website or crafting a home project, the do-it-yourself mentality can be incredibly rewarding. And let’s be real—many of us are drawn to DIY because the economy has been tough, and saving money is a big win.
With so many tools marketed as “easy to use” (I’m looking at you, Pinterest and Instagram), it’s no surprise that we dive headfirst into DIY projects. And yet…
Many of us (myself included) fall into what I call the DIY Gap: the huge, cavernous distance between our ambitious vision and the reality of what it takes to finish a project.
And when it comes to building your own website, I hear this from small business owners all. the. time! They were excited to build their own website, or take over managing their website, but quickly hit a wall, ended up dragging their feet for months, or weren’t happy with the results.
That’s why supporting DIYers has been a cornerstone of Lark About Design Co. from day one—because sometimes, even the best DIYers need a little help!
The Allure of Doing It Yourself
If anyone has plummeted into the gaping ravine that is the DIY Gap repeatedly, it’s me.
I’m a penny pincher, and I take a massive amount of pride in the ability to say that I did something myself. Whether it’s building a chicken coop, baking a loaf of sourdough bread, or doing my own bookkeeping - I weirdly love feeling totally responsible for an outcome (good or bad!). I also enjoy working on my own schedule, and the sense of accomplishment knowing that ‘I made that!’
And let’s not forget the marketing behind DIY tools: promises like “anyone can do it!” and “it’s as easy as pressing a button.” When it comes to building websites, though, those promises often fall short. Website builders might look simple, but there’s so much more to it than dragging and dropping. But, when it comes to something as complex as building a website, those marketing claims often fall short.
Real talk. As more and more of our economy has become automated with the rise of AI, the decrease of people specializing in trades and the prevalence of big box stores where anyone can buy just about anything, DIY tools represent the way of the future. And with cash feeling tight for so many Americans right now, it’s no wonder we’d rather pay with time than money.
DIY has become a marketing tool to support this new auto-economy we find ourselves in. But ask yourself. How many tools, apps and software products have you purchased… only to get in and realize you’re in way over your head (or budget)? Only to leave the tool untouched, because you tell yourself you’ll figure it out when you have more time? To let the subscription linger, paying month after month for something you don’t know how to use? I know this can’t be just me.
3.5!
That’s the average number of subscriptions people pay for each month - that they don’t even use. There’s a BIG profit to be made in forgotten about and unused subscriptions. Which means there’s a lot of incentive to try to convince consumers that ‘it’s as easy as pressing a button’. What goes unspoken in this new auto-economy, though, is that DIY actually takes an enormous amount of skill, time, and the right tools. It’s almost never as easy as pressing a button.
Want to join a community of other DIY-obsessed soloprenuers and tiny biz owners? Well, you're in luck! Come join my free slack community!
Why DIY Website Projects Fall Short
1. Time Crunch
DIY projects almost always take more time than anticipated. Just last week, I thought I could hang a storm door in an hour before a friend came over. Spoiler alert: 24 hours later, and with some help from him, it was finally done.
Websites are the same way. You might think you can build a website in a day, but once you factor in gathering photos, writing copy, learning how to use the builder, optimizing for SEO (and on, and on…) those “few hours” turn into days—sometimes weeks– sometimes months!
2. Skills vs. Ambition
Ambition is a hallmark trait of entrepreneurs. They’re the people who know how to kick butt and get results.
And ambition is great! Until you realize you’ve never built a website before.
Many people underestimate the skills needed to design a website that’s not just functional but represents your brand appropriately. You might use websites daily, but designing one requires knowledge of user experience, SEO, color psychology, and way more.
3. Overestimating the Tools
Drag-and-drop website builders like Squarespace are marketed as foolproof. And they are powerful tools—but they’re only as effective as the person using them. You still need to understand how to connect plugins, optimize your site for mobile, set yourself up for success, and integrate your business tools.
That’s where many DIYers get stuck. You buy the tool, but then realize it’s more complex than the ad made it seem. And that’s completely normal! Building a professional website does take time and effort, even with user-friendly tools.
4. You’re Too Close To It
When you’re starting a new business, initiative or project, you are deep in the mire of thinking through a million details! From accounting, to business models, taxes, return policies, software, email, networking, marketing…. You’re in the ‘doing everything yourself’ phase.
And way more often than not, I see that translate to people trying to make websites that have everything. I see people get in way over their head, because they’ve overcomplicated what they think they need to build- with way too many pages, way too much content, and not enough organization and thoughtful presentation. Your website ends up looking like the inside of your brain when you’re starting out (scary!)
Actual footage of me throwing myself into the DIY Gap.
The ADHD Brain & The DIY Gap
As someone with ADHD, I know firsthand how neurodivergent brains are especially prone to crashing down the DIY Gap. I specialize in working with entrepreneurs with ADHD, and here’s what I’ve noticed:
Time Blindness: we often underestimate how long projects will take. That storm door? I thought it would take an hour. It took an entire day.
Hyperfocus: we can get obsessed with ideas but struggle to see projects through. Starting something feels exciting, but sustaining that focus over multiple days (hello, website building!) is hard.
Decision Fatigue: the more decisions we have to make, the easier it is to get overwhelmed and abandon the project. And the number of decisions that go into making a website is enormous.
Diving in Headfirst - Without A Sufficient Plan. Many, many ADHDers live life by the seats of our pants. We tend to be really great at doing things without a plan because we have the ability to think fast (super fast!). We’re often your go-to-peeps in times of crisis. But tasks that take sustained effort and span multiple days/weeks/months get really, REALLY difficult if you don’t have a full plan going in.
Rejection Sensitivity & Perfectionism: we feel- like really, physically, feel- the fear of being rejected/judged/criticized. This is the number one motivation killer I see for ADHD folks. It hurts when it doesn’t go to plan. Starting a project, and not being able to power through the RSD/Perfectionism in the messy middle because our brain can’t stop focusing on the fear of rejection if this is what the final product looks like.
Impulsivity and urgency: this can look like "I want to do it NOW!” … followed by burnout. The dopamine hit of starting something new is so, so real. And so is the struggle to follow-through, largely because of the reasons above (cue 10 half-finished projects).
But fear not!
ADHDers are usually the absolute best DIYers around. It just means that we may need a little extra support and a more tailored approach to getting things over the finish line.
An Inventory of My Personal DIY Fails
Here are some of my funniest DIY fails to show you that you’re not alone in the DIY struggle:
Sewing my own prom dress (let’s just say I didn’t wear it).
Starting a podcast that required editing multiple interviews per episode (spoiler: I produced two episodes and gave up because I couldn’t sustain the 40+ hours of editing required to make a single episode).
Making curtains for my sunroom with 15 windows… that ended up just being fabric draped over rods.
Forever buying clothes from the thrift store and yard sales that don’t fit, telling myself ‘I’ll alter it later!’
Honestly, there are so, so many more… My craft closet is like a DIY graveyard.
But here’s the thing—I also have some DIY wins that I’m super proud of:
Refinishing my kitchen table that has been the literal centerpiece and support of many of my closest relationships and community for the last 8 years.
Building garden infrastructure that feeds me, brings me happiness and gets better and better each year.
A super awesome Country Western Miss Frizzle dress I made from a vintage 70s kids sleeping bag!
Starting my own business, from a career that has very much felt DIY-ed (that’s a big one!).
So if you’ve struggled with DIY in the past, I get it. But also, please, PLEASE take a little time to reflect about how your moxie has brought you some really awesome wins, too!
And know that when it comes to building your website, you don’t have to struggle alone!
Me in my one-of-a-kind DIY Country Western Miss Frizzle Dress, circa 2019.
See? Not all DIY is bad!
squareSPACECAMP: The Support You Need for Your DIY Website
There’s a sweet spot between going fully DIY and hiring a professional—getting the help and support you need while still taking control of your project.
That’s exactly why I created squareSPACECAMP: DIY Web Design in just 2 weeks.
squareSPACECAMP is perfect for DIYers who want a beautiful, professional website but need a little extra guidance to get there. In just two weeks, you’ll get structured, step-by-step support to build your website and learn the skills to manage it confidently on your own.
You get all the project management tools, resources, worksheets you need, and even one-on-one coaching sessions to get you across the finish line! And it’s fun, and space themed along the way!
With resources for everything from design basics to SEO best practices, squareSPACECAMP bridges the gap between DIY ambition and professional results—without the frustration or burnout. It’s like having a web designer (that’s me!) in your pocket, cheering you on! Plus, you have access to a Slack community of other tiny business owners ready to do the same!
squareSPACECAMP is a one-of-a-kind structured learning & coaching program that gives you the skills, tools and motivation to launch your website in just 2 weeks - and the confidence to manage it in the long run, too!
Know When to Call For Backup
There’s a time and place for DIY, but sometimes hiring a professional will save you time, money, and sanity. Pros have the tools, experience, and know-how to get the job done right. And there is ZERO shame in calling in some help. And you don’t even have to go all in on outsourcing!
That’s why I love offering services like hourly consulting and squareSPACECAMP in addition to my Two Week Websites—it’s the perfect middle ground for DIYers who need a little extra help to make their project a success. If you're in your own way or need some support, it's okay to ask for help!
I’ve had to learn to take an honest inventory of where I’m at when I’m considering taking on a DIY project. I have to look really honestly at my limits: real time, current skills and capacity to learn new ones right now, mental bandwidth, my emotional state, and more.
Once that’s done, I can make a plan for what to do and how to best proceed. And I always try to remember that calling in help doesn't mean I’ve failed; it means I’ve recognized where my time and energy are better spent! And that’s a HUGE win!
How can I support you in your tiny business?
I’d love to hear about your experience with DIYs - share a great DIY fail in the comments, or send me an email!
Got a DIY website in the works? Struggling to get it over the finish line? Let’s chat!
Book an intro chat with me, learn about my Two Week Website package, or check out squareSPACECAMP to get the guidance you need to complete your website and love the results!
I can’t wait to see what you make!!
The DIY Bridge! Together, we can get you there!
Keywords: DIY website building struggles, Why DIY websites are hard, DIY website pitfalls, Challenges of building your own website, Struggling with DIY web design
