We get it. You’re running a business. You’re wearing 14 hats. You’ve got spreadsheets open, invoices to chase, you’ve not much marketing budget, and you’ve just discovered the joys of scheduling social media posts at midnight.
So, when it comes to your brand visuals, your logo, your social graphics, your website, you think: “I’ll just do it myself. Even though you have no design experience, doesn’t matter – anyone can throw a design together, right?”
You fire up Canva. Or Microsoft Paint. Or that ancient copy of PowerPoint you’ve somehow made work for everything design related. You spend two hours trying to find the “perfect” colour, drag-and-dropping things until they look sort of centred, and proudly pick a font that feels modern-ish. Then you copy and paste that DIY logo across your social posts, website banners, online ads and maybe even your printed flyers, and call it a day – job done!
And to be fair: it is done. But is it working?
Because here’s the truth most people don’t want to hear: DIY design isn’t always the bargain it seems. In fact, it could be quietly costing you business, credibility, and the chance to grow.
I’ll unpack why.
- You Might Be Sending the Wrong Message
You know your business is trustworthy, capable, and professional. But does your marketing communications show that?
Your visuals are often the first thing people see, before they read your glowing testimonials, or your 5-star reviews, or even your brilliant copy. If your logo looks like it was made in 2009 using Microsoft Word, people won’t assume you’re “budget-friendly.” They’ll assume you’re outdated.
If your colours clash, your fonts are inconsistent, and your posts are littered with typos (yes, we see them), it tells potential clients: “We don’t bother with the details.”
And honestly, is that the message you want to send?
- It’s Costing You Time (That You Don’t Have)
DIY design isn’t just a drain on your brand, it’s a drain on your time.
That “quick Instagram post” you planned to knock out in 10 minutes turns into a 45-minute spiral of comparing fonts, tweaking alignment, and trying to remember which hex code you used last time.
Meanwhile, the actual work that only you can do, which is serving clients, growing your business, doing the thing you’re brilliant at, gets pushed further down the list. Then comes the stress.
Ask yourself: how many hours have you spent fiddling with Canva, or whatever system you use, instead of building your business? And what’s that costing you?
- It Can Create Confusion Instead of Clarity
Branding is about building trust and recognition. Every time someone sees your business, on your website, your packaging, your LinkedIn banner, they should know it’s you.
But with DIY design, consistency often goes out the window. One week your logo is green, the next it’s blue. Your fonts change depending on your mood. Your social graphics look like they’ve been created by five different people using five different templates.
The result? Confusion. And confused customers don’t buy, they happily scroll on past.
- People Can Tell When It’s Homemade
Your audience might not be designers, but they can feel when something’s off.
They may not know why your logo comes across as amateurish, or why your website is difficult to read, or why your Instagram grid has so much visual confusion, but they feel it. Which in turn creates micro-moments of doubt.
And in a world where people make snap decisions based on a glance, doubt can kill a sale before it starts.
- You’re Missing Out on Strategy, Not Just Style
Professional design is about more than just making things look pretty, it’s about thinking and questioning:
- Who is this brand for?
- How do we want them to feel?
- What visual elements add to that feeling?
- How do we ensure everything is consistent, flexible, and future proof?
A designer doesn’t just provide a logo, they give you a toolbox. Fonts, colours, tone of voice, imagery, layouts. All integrated to build trust and recognition.
That’s not something a template can do.
- You’ll Probably End Up Rebranding Sooner (At a Greater Cost)
Here’s the ironic part: a lot of people DIY their brand to “save money,” only to realise a year or two later that it’s holding them back.
They start attracting the wrong clients. They feel embarrassed sharing their website. They find themselves constantly explaining what they do.
And so they end up hiring a designer after all, only now they’re also dealing with the cost of redoing their print materials, rebuilding their website, and undoing the confusion they’ve already created.
Wouldn’t it be better to just start strong?
What’s the Alternative?
Investing in professional design might feel like a big leap, especially in the early days of your business. But it’s one of the smartest investments you can make.
It says: “We take our business seriously.” It helps you look confident, clear, and credible from day one. And it frees you up to focus on what you do best.
Plus, hey spoiler alert, it doesn’t have to be expensive. You don’t need a £20k rebrand. You just need someone who understands your vision, your audience, and how to bring it all to life in a way that feels like you, but better.
Final Thoughts
DIY might work for painting your spare room or baking a cake. But when it comes to your brand, the thing that represents your entire business to the world – DIY might not be the win you think it is.
Because if your brand doesn’t look the part, people might never stick around long enough to find out how great you actually are.
So go on, step away from Canva. You’ve got better things to do.
Ready to Stop DIY-ing and Start Growing?
If your brand’s looking a bit homemade (and not in the wholesome, crafty way), it might be time for a refresh. I help businesses like yours look sharp, feel confident, and connect with the right people, without the Canva chaos or dodgy fonts.
Want to chat about what’s possible? Let’s have a no-pressure conversation. Call me on 07771 960959, or drop me an email karen@everythingsorted.co.uk
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