It is not impossible to build a basic site for your business. I by no means intend to suggest that web design isn't an exceptionally in depth topic or that it doesn't require a lot of study and skill but at a basic level and with a bit of applied learning you can achieve some pretty good results.
If you are the type of individual who grasps and learns new skills easily, you could be good at making your own website. Before you can begin, you will need to gain some understanding of CSS, HTML and basic web design and layout. This list nonetheless is not exhaustive.
We go back to our first question. Do you have the time to learn these skills?
You may feel that you would be glad to put the hours in to learn the fundamentals because you are feeling fed up with working for others and want to start up on your own. Have a look online, where you will find a vast array of resources available to help you, purchase an up to date 'Build Your Own Website' book, take a look at some tutorial sites. You will find plenty of learning avenues to guide you.
Perhaps however your circumstances are different. Maybe you are already aware there are not sufficient hours in the day. If this is the case, creating your own business website is not likely to be the best path for you as insufficient input is likely to result in a website that does not do your business any justice.
Secondly, you need to ask yourself. What do you want your website to achieve for you? You should also have a think about where your niche within the market sits. Have a browse over some of your direct competitors websites.
If you run a small business as a gardener or electrician for instance, a basic website with your contact details enabling individuals to find you and give you a call may totally meet your needs. Building this kind of basic website would be completely manageable.
Your Business type may come under what is considered to be a more professional category such as accounting, law or finance. In this case then a basic looking site might not give an impression of your business that you want potential clients to see. Enter some search terms pertinent to your business into Google. What is the level of competition in your field? check it out. Be honest with yourself, if you feel the standard is higher than you are going to be able to reach yourself, you would probably be better off hiring a professional web designer.
To conclude the above; If you have the time needed to develop the new skills you need and go on to build a site of a high enough standard for your business, then go for it! but if not, then you will need to hire a professional. One last thing to note is that building is only the first stage, if no one can find it on Google then you have wasted your time. You need your website to be at the top of the search ranking in order for it to benefit your business.
If you are a small business owner and you don't have some sort of web presence to advertise it then you are missing out on important potential customers and sales. Creating a website for you business may not be impossible to achieve by yourself but you first need to work out whether you have the time to learn how to do it and whether or not the end product will bring you any more sales.