Why DIY Website Builders Are Creating an Internet Full of “Dead” Websites

The internet is overflowing with websites—billions of them. Thanks to the rise of do-it-yourself (DIY) website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify, more business owners than ever are launching their own sites. On the surface, this seems like a win for accessibility and innovation. But as more and more DIY sites flood the internet, a troubling trend has emerged: a staggering number of websites are failing to perform, resulting in what can only be described as a graveyard of “dead” sites.

While DIY platforms promise ease and affordability, the reality is that many business owners unknowingly create websites that don’t attract visitors, convert leads, or rank on search engines. Here's why—and why working with a professional web designer is more essential than ever.

Dead websites in 2025

The Problem with DIY Website Builders

DIY website platforms are marketed as all-in-one solutions. They’re designed to be simple, fast, and affordable for anyone to use, regardless of technical skill. And while these platforms can be great for small projects, hobby sites, or temporary pages, they fall short for businesses that want their websites to actually work.

Many DIY websites fail because of one core issue: they’re built without the strategy, research, and technical expertise required to succeed in today’s competitive online space.

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The Details That Are Often Overlooked

Here are some of the most critical areas where DIY websites fall short, leading to underperforming or completely "dead" sites:

1. Lack of Proper SEO Foundations

Search engine optimization (SEO) is the lifeblood of a successful website, but it’s often an afterthought in DIY designs.

H1 Tags & Hierarchy: Many DIY builders allow users to throw text on a page without considering heading tags. Proper use of H1, H2, and H3 tags is crucial for search engines to understand your content’s structure.

Keyword Research: DIY site creators rarely take the time to conduct proper keyword research, meaning their sites miss out on ranking for valuable search terms.

Image Optimization: Oversized images with missing alt tags can slow down a site and hurt accessibility and SEO.

2. Poor User Experience (UX) Design

A website might look “pretty,” but if it’s hard to navigate or doesn’t guide users toward a clear goal, it’s not going to perform.

DIY sites often lack intuitive navigation, clear calls-to-action, or a mobile-first design approach.

Many DIY builders rely on pre-designed templates that don’t address the unique needs of a business’s audience.

3. Ignoring Speed and Performance

Page load speed is a critical ranking factor for Google, yet many DIY websites are bogged down by unoptimized elements.

Bloated code, uncompressed images, and unnecessary scripts can slow down a DIY site dramatically.

Slow-loading pages lead to higher bounce rates, lower search rankings, and lost revenue.

4. No Long-Term Strategy

A website isn’t just a digital storefront—it’s a tool for building relationships and driving business growth. DIY websites often lack the strategic planning needed to make that happen.

There’s rarely any integration with email marketing, social media, or analytics.

Many DIY sites are launched without a plan for regular updates, leaving them outdated and ineffective within months.

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The Rise of “Dead” Websites

As a result of these oversights, countless DIY websites sit dormant on the internet. They exist, but they aren’t bringing in traffic, leads, or sales. Business owners are left wondering why their site isn’t working, often blaming the internet itself rather than the underlying issues with their site.

The irony? Many of these business owners end up hiring professionals to fix or rebuild their DIY websites—often at a higher cost than if they’d worked with a pro from the start.

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Why Professional Web Design Is Making a Comeback

With so many underperforming DIY sites, business owners are realizing the importance of hiring professionals who understand not just how to build a website, but how to make it work.

What a Pro Can Offer:

1. Strategic Planning: Professional designers don’t just slap a site together—they create a strategy based on your goals, audience, and industry.

2. SEO Expertise: From proper tag hierarchy to keyword research, pros ensure your site is optimized to rank.

3. Custom Design: Instead of relying on cookie-cutter templates, a pro creates a design that reflects your brand and resonates with your audience.

4. Speed and Performance: Pros use clean code, optimize images, and implement best practices to keep your site fast and efficient.

5. Analytics and Growth: Professionals set up tools like Google Analytics to track your site’s performance and provide insights for future growth.

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It’s Time to Invest in the Right Way

In 2025, your website isn’t just a “nice-to-have”—it’s the cornerstone of your business’s online presence. While DIY platforms may seem like an easy solution, the reality is that they often lead to frustration, lost time, and wasted money.

If you want a website that drives traffic, generates leads, and grows your business, you need more than a template—you need expertise.

Don’t let your website become just another “dead” site in the digital graveyard. Invest in professional web design, and watch your business thrive online.