Agree with some points Nick, but it isn't "hard" work.
What I said was I did my own using a 1&1 package and got them to first page in Google within a month and number 1 spot shortly after.
I have had an online business and spent over £10k on websites (over 6k on one and over 4k on another) first site was in Shop Factory and 2nd site was in Actinic. We got shafted by both companies and over the years I learnt to use the packages myself and rebuilt the Actinic which took months!!
Shortly after I was happy with it someone offered us £20k for it, needless to say it was sold. ( after a trip to Southampton also extracted a couple of thousand out of the company that designed the Actinic site, that was fun
).
I am weary of ALL web designers, they think they own the site which you have paid for, in my experience they are an evasive bunch and make things complicated and tie you in. One cheeky git even wanted a percentage of our internet company to keep it updated.
I had a really nice website years ago that was created in Dreamweaver but just playing around one day I started using 1&1, it is idiot proof, easy and cheap!!
I am by no means an internet expert ( but I do know more than some who claim they are!!!) and also did not say I could get this site to first page Google. I enjoy tinkering around on the internet and have helped a few people with their sites and have never even thought about charging.
My advice to anyone who wants a website would be use 1&1 and do it yourself. If you want help then email me and I will help you out for free. If it works out within a couple of months all well and good, if it fails it has cost you about £10.00.