
How to Build My Own Website for My Deck Business on a Budget (or for Free)
Building decks? You’ve got that covered. Building a website? Well, that might feel a bit like diving into unfamiliar territory. But don’t worry—it’s not as complicated as it seems, and you can definitely get a great website on a budget. Whether you’re thinking about Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy, or the powerhouse that is WordPress.org, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know in plain language.
Your website isn’t just a digital brochure—it’s your most important tool for attracting new customers. A poorly built website, like a poorly built deck, will collapse under the weight of missed opportunities and frustrated visitors. Let’s break it down so that you know exactly what to do and why it’s worth getting it right from the start.
What Every Deck Builder Website Needs (The Basics)
Before choosing your platform, it’s important to know the core elements that will make your website successful. Here’s what you need:
Custom Domain Name
A domain (e.g., yourdeckcompany.com) is crucial for professionalism and SEO.
Recommendation: Purchase your domain through GoDaddy for around $10-20/year.
Reliable Hosting
Hosting is where your website “lives” online. Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and GoDaddy include hosting, but for WordPress.org, you’ll need a separate hosting service.
Recommendation: Use WP Engine or Flywheel for reliable hosting starting at $3-30/month.
Website Content
Your content needs to clearly explain who you are and what you offer. Ensure your website includes the following:
- Home Page: Showcase your best projects and include calls-to-action like “Request a Quote.”
- About Page: Build trust by sharing your story and experience.
- Services Page: Detail your services, such as custom decks, repairs, and more.
- Portfolio: High-quality images of your best work to inspire confidence.
- Contact Page: Make it easy for clients to reach you with forms or clickable phone numbers.
- SEO & Conversion Optimization: Your website must be optimized for search engines (SEO) and designed to convert visitors into leads. Without these, your website is like a hidden gem no one can find.
Tracking & Conversion Tools
Building the website is just the start. You need the right tools to track performance, optimize for search engines, and ensure every marketing dollar works hard for you.
- Google Analytics: This free tool tracks who visits your site, how they find you, and what they do when they’re there. Understanding these numbers helps you improve your website and marketing efforts.
- Google Search Console: This tool monitors how your website is performing in search results. It helps you identify which keywords drive traffic and alerts you to any technical issues that may impact your SEO.
- Google Tag Manager: With Google Tag Manager, you can implement tracking codes (tags) without needing a developer. This allows you to easily track actions on your site, like form submissions or clicks on a “Request a Quote” button.
- Call Tracking: Call tracking helps you see which marketing channels are driving phone calls. With tools like CallRail, you can track which ads, keywords, or web pages are leading to phone inquiries.
- Conversion Tracking: With proper conversion tracking in place, you can see exactly which leads are converting into paying clients. This can be done using tools like Google Analytics and Tag Manager to track form submissions, calls, and quote requests.
Popular Website Builder Platforms
Now let’s look at some of the top DIY platforms. Each has its own pros and cons, so you can decide which one fits your needs.
Wix
- Cost: Free with ads and a Wix subdomain (e.g., yourdeckcompany.wix.com). Paid plans start at $14/month.
- Pros:
- Easy-to-use drag-and-drop builder.
- Lots of templates for quick setups.
- Cons:
- Limited SEO capabilities, making it harder to rank on Google.
- Wix ads unless you upgrade to a premium plan.
👉 Best for: Builders needing a quick website, not expecting heavy growth.
Squarespace
- Cost: Paid plans start at $16/month, with a free domain for the first year.
- Pros:
- Sleek, professional designs that showcase your portfolio well.
- Better SEO tools than Wix but still somewhat limited.
- Cons:
- Less customizable for long-term growth.
👉 Best for: Deck builders who want a beautifully designed website but don’t need advanced features.
GoDaddy Website Builder
- Cost: Starts at $9.99/month, including domain and hosting.
- Pros:
- Quick setup with an all-in-one solution.
- Cons:
- Limited customization and SEO.
👉 Best for: Businesses that need a fast, simple website but may need to upgrade later.
Weebly
- Cost: Free with ads; paid plans start at $6/month.
- Pros:
- Simple, affordable, and easy to use.
- Cons:
- Limited scalability and SEO options.
👉 Best for: Deck builders needing an entry-level website on a tight budget.
WordPress.org (Our Top Pick)
- Cost: Free platform, but you’ll need to pay for hosting ($3-30/month) and a domain ($10-20/year).
- Pros:
- Complete control over design, SEO, and functionality.
- Highly scalable—ideal for both small and large websites.
- Advanced SEO tools like Yoast SEO make it easy to rank on Google.
- Cons:
- Requires more technical knowledge and setup effort.
⭐ Best for: Builders serious about long-term growth, customization, and SEO. WordPress gives you the flexibility to grow as your business grows.
Why Working with Professionals Beats Going DIY
It can be tempting to build your own website, especially with so many DIY platforms available. But just because you can do it yourself doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your business. Here’s why partnering with professionals like Deck Builder Marketers could be the best decision for your business’s long-term growth:
Time is Money
Building a website on your own can take weeks, especially if you’re new to web design and SEO. During that time, you could be focusing on your clients’ projects, managing your team, or securing new leads. Is spending 40-60 hours learning how to build a website really the best use of your time when you could be out building actual decks?
Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
Most DIY websites fail when it comes to CRO—the process of turning website visitors into leads. Without professional guidance, you might not even know if people are visiting your site, let alone whether they’re converting into clients. This is where professionals shine. We build websites with lead tracking and analytics that monitor visitor behavior, allowing us to make adjustments that increase conversions and boost revenue. Without CRO, you’re leaving money on the table.
Download Our Free Website Conversion Guide
Want to DIY your website? Get the tips and tools you need to optimize your site for success, from SEO to conversion tracking.
Website Investment: Why It’s Crucial for Your Business
Yes, a professionally built website will cost between $7,000 and $10,000, but think about the return on investment (ROI). A website that generates quality leads can easily pay for itself. For example, closing just one $30,000 project justifies the cost of a high-quality website.
The Hidden Costs of “Free” Websites
- DIY platforms like Wix or Weebly might seem like the best option to save money, but there are hidden costs to consider:
- Limited SEO: Without robust SEO tools, your website won’t appear high on Google, limiting the number of people who find you.
- Time Investment: DIY websites often take longer to build, which means valuable time that could be spent working on deck projects.
- Unprofessional Branding: Free plans often come with ads or subdomains (e.g., yourdeckcompany.wix.com), making your business look less professional.
Total Online Presence Setup: The Foundation of Your Success
The Total Online Presence Setup at Deck Builder Marketers is much more than a website—it’s an all-in-one marketing foundation designed to ensure your business succeeds online and generates high-quality leads. Here’s why it’s the smartest investment you can make and what it covers:
- Custom Website Development: Your website is the cornerstone of your online presence. We don’t just build you a generic website; we create a high-conversion, SEO-optimized website tailored to your brand. This ensures that when potential clients visit, they get a professional experience that converts them into leads. We set up a gallery for your projects, customer testimonials, and calls to action like “Request a Quote” to capture interested visitors.
- SEO & Local Listings: You can have the best-looking website in the world, but without proper Search Engine Optimization (SEO), no one will find it. We handle all the technical aspects of SEO to ensure your site ranks for key search terms like “deck builder near me”. Beyond that, we optimize your Google Business Profile and other local directories so that your business shows up for local searches. This makes sure your company is not just visible online but dominant in your market.
- Reputation Management: Your online reputation plays a huge role in whether or not you close a deal. Our system automates the collection of reviews from your satisfied clients, building your reputation on platforms like Google, Facebook, and Yelp. We create a dedicated review page on your website to showcase your stellar feedback, helping potential clients trust you more quickly.
- Social Media Setup: We make sure your business looks professional and consistent across all platforms by creating or optimizing your social media profiles. We ensure your branding and messaging are clear and your social channels link directly to your website, making it easy for followers to learn more about your services.
- Lead Tracking & CRM Integration: Leads are your lifeblood, and it’s essential to track where they come from. We set up lead tracking tools like Google Analytics and CallRail to monitor every interaction. This gives you data on how visitors are finding your site and what actions they take once they’re there. Additionally, we integrate a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to automatically nurture leads, track interactions, and ensure no lead slips through the cracks. This system helps you close more deals by keeping everything organized.
- Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO): It’s not enough to have traffic—you need that traffic to convert into leads. We design every aspect of your website to be conversion-friendly. This means strategically placed calls-to-action, easy navigation, and clear messaging that guide visitors toward making contact with you. Our ongoing CRO process allows us to continually refine and improve the website’s performance based on real data and user behavior, ensuring your website remains a lead-generating machine.
- Analytics and Ongoing Optimization: The work doesn’t stop after the website is live. We continuously monitor how your website is performing using Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager, tracking critical metrics like visitor numbers, bounce rates, and conversion rates. This allows us to tweak and optimize your site to keep improving lead generation. Ongoing A/B testing and conversion rate optimization keep your website at the top of its game.
Why This Setup is a Game-Changer
Without a strong online presence, any marketing efforts you undertake are like building a house on sand. The Total Online Presence Setup creates a solid foundation that all your future marketing will build upon. Here’s why skipping this setup will hurt your long-term growth:
- No SEO, No Traffic: Without proper SEO, your website will get little traffic. With our SEO setup, your website will rank high in search results, meaning more eyes on your business.
- Lead Tracking for Growth: Without proper lead tracking, you’ll never know how well your website is working for you. We install tools like Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, and CallRail so you can see what’s driving results.
- Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO): Most DIY websites fail to convert visitors into leads. Our CRO strategies are built into your site from day one, ensuring that every visitor is given the opportunity to convert into a paying client.
The value here is far greater than just a website. You get a website and a lead-generation machine that works 24/7.
Case Study: Before working with Deck Builder Marketers, Artisan Outdoor Craftsman struggled to generate online leads. After a website overhaul and SEO optimization, their revenue grew by 175% in just 24 months.
“The nice thing about Deck Builder Marketers is that you don’t realize what you should have been doing until it’s too late. We’ve seen huge growth, especially in organic searches, thanks to the changes we made on our website.”
— Artisan Outdoor Craftsman
Comparing DIY & a Professional Website and Your Pocket
Let’s put this into perspective with real-world numbers.
- Scenario 1: A basic DIY website might generate 50 visits per month. At a 5% conversion rate, that’s 2-3 leads. Out of those, you may close one project worth $30,000.
- Scenario 2: A professionally built, SEO-optimized website could drive 1,000 visits per month. At a 5% conversion rate, that’s 50 leads. With a 25% close rate, you could close 12-15 projects at $30,000 each. That’s $450,000 in revenue.
The difference is night and day. This is not smoke and mirrors!
FAQs
How much does it cost to build a website for my deck business?
The cost can vary widely. DIY options with platforms like Wix or Squarespace start as low as $10-30/month, while a professionally designed website can range from $7,000 to $10,000. Keep in mind, the final price also depends on complexity, customization, and features such as SEO and lead tracking.
How long will it take to build a website myself?
Building a website yourself can take 40-60 hours or more, depending on your technical skills and the complexity of the site. This includes time for learning the platform, designing, writing content, and optimizing for SEO.
Can I build a professional website for free?
Yes, but with limitations. Platforms like Wix and Weebly offer free plans, but they come with ads and limited functionality. You’ll need to pay for a custom domain, remove ads, and unlock more advanced SEO and design tools.
Which platform is best for my deck business website?
For ease of use and fast setup, platforms like Wix or Squarespace are solid choices. However, if you need more control, customization, and SEO power, WordPress.org is the best option, especially for long-term scalability.
Do I need SEO on my website?
Yes! SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is crucial to ensure that potential clients can find your website when searching for services like “deck builder near me.” Without proper SEO, your website might not rank high on Google, which could limit your lead generation.
How do I track visitors and leads on my website?
Using tools like Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager, you can monitor visitor activity, track form submissions, and see how users are interacting with your website. If you’re working with a professional, they’ll set up these tools for lead tracking and conversion analysis.
What is conversion rate optimization (CRO) and why does it matter?
CRO is the process of improving your website to increase the percentage of visitors who take desired actions, like filling out a form or calling you. Without CRO, you might be missing out on leads because your website isn’t designed to guide visitors toward contacting you.
What happens if my website isn’t converting visitors into leads?
If your website is getting traffic but no leads, it likely means your site isn’t optimized for conversions. This could be due to poor design, slow load times, confusing navigation, or weak calls-to-action. A professional will know how to fix this to maximize conversions.
Is it better to hire a professional or use a DIY platform?
It depends on your goals and technical skills. A DIY platform like Wix or Weebly is cheaper and easier, but lacks the flexibility and power of a WordPress.org site built by professionals, especially when it comes to SEO and conversion optimization. Working with a professional will ensure your website is optimized for long-term success.
How often do I need to update my website?
Regular updates are important to keep your site fresh and optimized. You should update content, add new projects to your portfolio, and review SEO settings at least every few months. A professional can help ensure your site stays up-to-date and competitive,
Ready to Build a Website that Works?
Your website is your hardest-working salesperson. Whether you’re going the DIY route or investing in a professional website, make sure it’s built to drive traffic, generate leads, and grow your business.
Ready to take your website seriously? Schedule a free strategy session with Deck Builder Marketers and let’s build something amazing together.