Every year, Awwwards allows members of the public to nominate the most beautiful website designs.
Creative studio CHEW Productions is a strong contender to take this year’s top spot. Developed by BASEBORN Pro, the website is a case study on maximizing visuals and minimizing clutter. Many websites can only aspire to the subtle balance.
A well-built website has four basic elements, no matter your business type. Simple navigation, high-performing content, excellent user experience (UX), and a responsive design are your fighters. No matter how great-looking your website is, it will fall flat without these hero elements.
These days, the fundamentals aren’t enough to hook an online user. CHEW Productions is a testament to the importance of creative, visual language. Humans feast with their eyes, so give them a banquet worth remembering.
Below, we’ll discuss knowing when your DIY website (stock images included) needs an urgent glow-up.
Your Site Feels Stuck in the Status Quo
When was the last time you asked yourself, “When is my website due for a makeover?”
Experts agree that updates shouldn’t be once-in-a-blue-moon. Your site must evolve as your business does, and if it hasn’t in years, that’s a red flag.
Most DIY tools are amazing at getting you online fast. The downside is that they can also box you in with limited integrations, generic layouts, or features you can’t customize.
Your Site Doesn’t Care that Mobile Traffic Beats Desktop
It’s only obvious that most people visit on mobile now. Statista claims that in the last quarter of 2024, mobile devices generated 62.54% of global website traffic. Some emerging digital markets even skipped desktop altogether.
If your site isn’t built with “mobile-first” vibes, you’re failing the biggest chunk of your audience. And, Google prioritizes mobile versions when ranking pages.
DIY websites check the box here. However, sometimes they miss the finer polished touches: streamlined UX, performance, and readability.
Your Ranking on Google is… Meh
Relying on template-driven tools might not get you the ranking results you dream of.
That’s because ranking on Google isn’t magic. Speed, clean code, smart structure, and strong SEO fundamentals still matter. And yes, you can achieve all this with the right AI website builder.
Hocoos says that if you do your homework, you can find a website builder that ticks all the above boxes with its integrated AI tools.
Google isn’t going to be waiting for you to be ready. Sound, thoughtful SEO is a must for visibility and growth. It’s a smart play to upgrade when DIY stops delivering search traction.
Your Design Looks More ‘2022’ Than ‘Today’
Nothing ages faster than a site that doesn’t reflect your current brand, tone, or message.
Also, check on your competitors and see what they’re up to. You could get some inspiration from their sleeker interface or rebranded logo.
Once your business has shifted direction, your site should keep pace.
DIY builders give you a fast lift-off, but an AI website builder gives you the edge with fresh custom design options. Oh, hi, built-in AI logo generator and AI image completion tool!
You’re Stuck in ‘Frankenstein Mode’
Ever patched together features here and there? Plugin this? CSS hack that? … until your business website feels like a patchwork monster?
This “Franken-site” might work for now. Still, every future update risks breaking something big.
Custom builds give you clean, cohesive architecture and peace of mind that your site won’t fall apart as you grow.
You Need Integrations, Not Just Web Pages
Some tools are brilliant for starting lean. What if you need a booking system, CRM sync, eCommerce, API links, or user flows that only your business needs?
That’s where custom builds shine: tailoring UX, connecting systems, and scaling with you.
Thank goodness we’re in the AI age. TechCrunch says the advancements have catapulted online stores into another stratosphere. Powered by machine learning (ML) algorithms, AI-powered tools can predict consumer behavior trends and safeguard website security.
Ready to Level Up Without Losing Your Humanity?
Biggest paradox of DIY website creation: it’s efficient, fast, fun, and also easy to outgrow.
When your business deserves a site that feels as thoughtful, unique, and ambitious as you are, that’s your signal: time to level up.
Celebrate how much your initial website helped you get going. But when the track curves toward growth, strategy, and long-term feel, go custom.
Your Growth isn’t Automatic, But Your Site Can Keep Up
Your website should evolve as quickly as your business does.
If it feels stagnant, looks outdated, or simply isn’t pulling its weight on Google, those are clear signals you’ve outgrown the DIY phase.
DIY websites are great launchpads. They get you online fast and make the first stretch of your digital journey seamless. However, growth comes with new needs: deeper integrations, smarter SEO, stronger design, and a site that feels uniquely yours.
That’s where a custom upgrade, compliments of an AI website builder, steps in. It offers your brand the flexibility, scalability, and polish it deserves.
Time to Pack Up the DIY Toolkit
Imagine your website is like your home. You can hang your own shelves and slap on a fresh coat of paint. When the foundation starts to crack or you’re dreaming of that Pinterest-worthy kitchen, it’s time to call in the pros.
The same goes for your digital space. DIY has its limits, and there’s no shame in admitting when you’ve hit them.
A professional upgrade isn’t making things look sleek. You’re building a site that works as hard as you do, one that can grow with your business and give your customers a seamless experience.
Think of it as moving from a fixer-upper blog to a custom-built smart home. That’s function, style, and future-proofing all wrapped up in one neat package.
So if you’ve been stuck in the endless loop of “it’s fine for now,” maybe it’s not. After all, first impressions also matter online, and you deserve one that says “professional, polished, and ready for anything”.
