Getting a website built (or rebuilt) can feel overwhelming.
It’s one of those things that sits on the to-do list, but somehow never gets ticked off.
Whether it’s money, time, or bad past experiences, there are plenty of understandable reasons people delay starting a website project.
At Two Sparrows, we believe ethical, inclusive, and sustainable design starts with understanding your needs – and that includes the things getting in your way.
Here are five common barriers to getting your website built/updated that our clients have told us about, and how we help you move past them.
1. “I can’t afford it” – the cost of a website
Cost is one of the biggest hurdles when it comes to updating or building a website. Especially if you’re a solo business owner or a small organisation trying to make ends meet, the price tag on a professionally built site can feel overwhelming.
There’s often a perception that it’s a luxury – something you do later when the business has “made it.”
That’s when the $500 website trap becomes tempting.
These offers seem like a bargain, but the reality is that they often come with hidden costs like poor performance, slow loading times, no SEO strategy, and no support when things go wrong. Or the $500 fee is quickly dwarfed by expensive monthly “subscriptions”.
Often, you end up with a site that maybe looks okay but doesn’t function well, isn’t inclusive or accessible, and doesn’t help your business grow.
At Two Sparrows, we approach cost differently.
Yes, we believe in charging fairly for the value and expertise we bring. And that value and expertise is in everything we do. We also recognise the current economic climate and that many good people are doing it tough. That’s why we also offer flexible payment plans and are open to working within an achievable budget by scoping a scaled-back version of the project that still delivers on your goals. If we’re a good fit, we’ll do our best to make it work.
2. “I can do it myself with a website builder” – the DIY myth
It’s never been easier to build your own website.
With drag-and-drop platforms like Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify, you can set up a website in a weekend with a few clicks, no coding required. And for some businesses — like small hobby projects or temporary landing pages — that might be enough.
But here’s the thing: DIY website builders are built for simplicity, not strategy. They don’t ask the deep questions about your brand, your audience, your accessibility needs, your long-term vision, or how you want people to feel when they land on your site.
They’re designed to get a website up quickly and not necessarily one that’s inclusive, sustainable, or even helps to grow your business.
At Two Sparrows, we work with purpose-driven people who want their website to do more than exist, they want it to communicate clearly, feel aligned with their values, and grow with their business.
Yes, you can do it yourself. But if you want a website that reflects your unique voice and values, converts visitors into clients, and is built with accessibility, sustainability, and longevity in mind, we’re here for that.
3. “I’ve had a bad experience in the past” – and I don’t want to go through that again
This one hits close to home for many people.
We’ve heard stories of websites being half-finished, developers disappearing, passwords being withheld, and support vanishing the minute the site goes live. It’s not just frustrating, it can leave you feeling powerless, burnt out, and wary of starting again.
Trust is the foundation of any good working relationship, and we know how hard it is to rebuild that once it’s been broken.
That’s why we take a different approach. You’ll always have a direct line to the person working on your site. No offshore support desks or disappearing acts. Our designers and coders are all based in Aotearoa New Zealand, and we proudly sport the New Zealand Made badge (see it in our footer below!). We use transparent and straightforward contracts so you know exactly what to expect, and we outline what happens if anything doesn’t go to plan (for either side).
You’ll also have our ongoing support after the launch. Not just to fix bugs, but to help you continue growing.
We know the website industry hasn’t always been fair, inclusive, or transparent. We’re here to change that, one project at a time.
4. “I don’t want to be locked in” – the platform trap
Many people come to us after being burned by platforms or developers who held all the keys — domain names they didn’t control, websites they couldn’t edit, and contracts that made it near-impossible to switch providers. It’s a terrible feeling, and it’s one we never want our clients to experience.
That’s why we build websites using WordPress which is a flexible, open-source platform used by over 40% of the internet. You’ll own your website and your domain name.
You’ll have full admin access. And while we’ve developed our own unique way of building WordPress sites, any good developer could pick up what we’ve built with no need to start from scratch.
In short, we build your website to be yours, not something we keep control over to force you to stay.
Of course, we hope you’ll want to keep working with us. But if life takes you in a different direction, your website won’t hold you back.
5. “I don’t need a website – I have social media”
This is one we hear a lot, and we get it.
Social media is easy to use, free (ish), and already full of your audience. It might seem like a website is unnecessary when you’ve got an active Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok following.
But here’s the thing: you don’t own your social media platforms.
You’re building your business on rented land. Algorithms change. Accounts get hacked. Platforms lose popularity or disappear. And all that content, community, and work? Gone.
A website is your online home. It’s the one place where people can find everything they need – what you do, how you do it, who you help, and how to get in touch – all without the noise and distraction of a feed. It also gives you control over your message, your brand, your accessibility, and your data.
We believe your social media should support your website, not replace it. When the two work together, that’s when your digital presence becomes powerful, consistent, and resilient.
Ready to get started – or just want to talk it through?
You don’t have to know everything before reaching out. We’re here to guide you through the process, answer your questions, and help you feel confident moving forward.
Let’s have a no-pressure chat and see what’s possible – even if you’re still just figuring things out.
This article was written with the help of Katrina Pace of Collected Copy.
Image (top of page) credit: Deagreez, istockphoto.com