Right then, let's get stuck in. You've got the business name registered, the product is top-notch—in your case, delicious baked goods—and now you're facing the digital hurdle: the website. It's a critical step, and the sheer number of options and opinions out there can make your head spin.
Should you use a drag-and-drop builder? Should you hire someone? How do you know if you're getting a fair dinkum deal or being taken for a ride?
As a new business owner, especially one with plans to grow from local pre-orders to a full-blown online store, the choices you make now will have a massive impact down the track. Let's cut through the noise and figure out the best path forward for your business.
The Great Debate: DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
This is the first and most important fork in the road. Your background in CS gives you a head start, but web development is its own beast. Here’s the practical breakdown.
The DIY Route (Wix, Squarespace, Shopify)
These platforms advertise heavily, promising a professional website in a weekend for next to nothing.
- The Good: They are cheap to start and can get something online quickly. For a simple hobby or a business with no plans to grow, they can do the job.
- The Bad: You're building on rented land. You're limited by their templates, their features, and their rules. When your business needs to grow—like adding a sophisticated pre-order system or unique design elements for your products—you’ll hit a wall. SEO capabilities are often basic, and you can't just pack up your site and move it elsewhere if you outgrow the platform. You save money upfront, but you pay for it with your time and with future limitations.
The Professional Route (Hiring a Developer)
This involves a higher initial investment, but you're paying for a strategic asset, not just a website.
- The Good: You get a solution built specifically for your business goals. A professional will build a site that not only looks unique but is engineered to convert visitors into customers. It will be scalable, meaning it can grow with you from a simple pre-order page to a complex e-commerce machine without needing a complete rebuild. Most importantly, you own it completely.
- The Bad: It costs more to begin with. You need to invest capital instead of just your own time.
The Verdict for a Growing Bakery: For a business like yours that needs to handle pre-orders, local sales, and eventually national shipping, starting with a professional developer is the smart money. You're building on a solid foundation that won't hold you back in six or twelve months' time.
Choosing Your Platform: A Quick Guide
Not all platforms are created equal. An expert will recommend the right tool for the job based on your specific needs.
- Squarespace/Wix: Best for online brochures or basic portfolios. They are not built for the kind of custom functionality and scaling e-commerce you're planning.
- Shopify: A powerhouse for standard e-commerce. If you were just selling 10 products in a standard way, it's a solid choice. However, it can be restrictive on design customisation and the costs of third-party apps for special features can add up quickly.
- WordPress: This is the fair dinkum solution for flexibility and long-term growth. Don't confuse it with the free blogging platform; we're talking about self-hosted WordPress. It powers over 40% of the web for a reason.
With WordPress, a skilled developer can create a truly custom experience. Using tools like Elementor for visual design and Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), they can build product pages that look exactly how you envision and are dead simple for you to update yourself. More importantly, we can build a phased rollout. We can start with a simple, elegant site with a custom pre-order plugin, and then "bolt on" a full, powerful e-commerce system with WooCommerce when you're ready to start shipping.
How to Spot a Ripper Developer (And Avoid the Duds)
Your biggest concern is finding someone knowledgeable who has your best interests at heart. Here’s your checklist for vetting a potential developer.
- They Have a Strong, Local Portfolio: Look at their previous work. Does it look professional? Is it fast? Critically, does it work well on your phone? A good portfolio shows they can deliver results.
- They Have a Clear Process: A pro won't just give you a price and a handshake. They'll talk you through their process: discovery and strategy, design, development, testing, and launch. If they can't explain their plan, they don't have one.
- They Justify Their Technology Choices: Ask them why they recommend a certain platform. A good developer will explain their choice based on your goals—scalability, SEO, ease of use, and future plans. They should be able to explain the pros and cons of WordPress vs. Shopify for your business.
- They Talk About More Than Just Design: A website is a sales tool. A good developer will ask about your business goals, your customers, and how you plan to make money. They are a problem-solver, not just a painter.
- You Get a Detailed Proposal: A one-line quote is a red flag. A professional proposal will break down all the costs, inclusions, exclusions, and a clear timeline for the project.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a professional website cost in Australia?
There's no single answer, as it depends on complexity. A custom, professionally built small business website typically starts from $5,000 and can go up to $15,000+ for a sophisticated e-commerce site with custom features like advanced pre-ordering and shipping integrations. Think of it as an investment in essential business infrastructure.
Is WordPress really the best for SEO?
Yes. When configured correctly by an expert, WordPress offers an unmatched level of control over the technical and on-page elements that are crucial for ranking high on Google. You have full control, which isn't the case with closed platforms like Wix or Squarespace.
Can I really start simple and add e-commerce later?
Absolutely. This is a smart, cash-flow-friendly strategy. Building on WordPress is perfect for this. We can create a beautiful "Phase 1" site focused on your brand and local pre-orders, then seamlessly integrate a full WooCommerce store for "Phase 2" when you're ready to scale.
What's the Next Step?
Choosing your web platform and development partner is one of the most important decisions you'll make when starting out. Trying to save a few dollars now can lead to massive headaches and costs down the line when you're forced to rebuild a site that can't keep up with your success.
The right website is an asset that works for you 24/7, capturing leads and processing orders. It should be built on a foundation that's ready for the business you want to have in three years, not just the one you have today.
If you’re ready to have a proper yarn about building a website that serves as a genuine engine for your business growth, let's connect. We can map out a practical plan that fits your goals and budget, setting you up for success from day one.
