Why You Shouldn't Outsource Website Creation to Your Family

Small businesses often turn to relatives for help to reduce costs. Online tasks, particularly web design, graphic design, and content writing, are the easiest candidates for outsourcing to the family.

Instead of hiring a freelancer or professional, start-ups can go to the tech-savvy nephew or erudite niece to write a copy. Getting your family to help you create an online store or website is not an ideal step, even if it’s free.

The process of building a professional website involves two major components that are most often overlooked - marketing and the underlying technology.

Marketing Design and Content

It’s helpful to have someone who can make a banner for your website for free, but is it consistent with your overall marketing strategy?

Website design is an important part of branding. You need to ensure that the look and feel appeal to your target market and audience, as well as convey the right message. There's a science behind the right colours, layout, and shape. When we look at a visual online, while we may not articulate exactly the reason why, some graphics look busy and unappealing.

The same marketing approach applies to written content. You need to ensure that it’s online reader-friendly - organised small chunks of information with proper headline and call to action. The copy needs to have a relatable story without hard selling the product. More importantly, it needs to comply with Google's rules.

The Right Platform

It's cost-effective to have someone design a website at a more negotiable price, but does it complement the underlying technology? Does your writer know how to use a content management system (CMS)?

Designs, including animation, can slow down a website if it’s too heavy. Loading speed has a huge effect on sales. You need someone who knows how to use CMS to upload and edit your content.

There are also other technological capabilities that you need to consider: a secure eCommerce system for payment, an image gallery tool for your product catalogue, and appropriate programming language to make it all work seamlessly.


Hiring a family member is risky. Your actions are always determined by the future of your relationship outside the business. A professional can recommend the right platform that suits your website's needs and consider you, as well as your customers, in the creation process.