Website builder, freelancer or done for you: how to choose
Three honest ways to get a website for your business, what each one asks of you, and who each one suits best.
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- LinnStudio
There are three common ways to get a website for a small business: build it yourself on a website builder, pay a freelancer or an agency to build it, or have it built and looked after for you on a monthly plan.
None of them is right for everyone. The best choice comes down to three things: your time, your budget, and how involved you want to be once the site is live.
Doing it yourself, on a website builder
Wix, Squarespace and the rest let you build a site from a template, for a monthly fee.
It suits you if you enjoy this kind of thing, have evenings to spare, and need something simple.
Weigh up that a builder gives you the tools, not the words, the photos or the know-how about what makes people get in touch. You’re also the one keeping it up to date. And many builders won’t let you take your design with you if you leave.
Paying a freelancer or an agency
A designer builds the site for you, once. In the UK, a freelancer typically charges £1,500–£3,000 for a small site, and an agency £3,000–£5,000.
It suits you if you have the budget upfront and a clear idea of what you want.
Weigh up that most of the cost comes before you’ve seen much, and changes after launch are usually charged by the hour. Ask who looks after hosting, security and updates, and what that costs each year. With a freelancer, ask what happens when they’re busy or on holiday.
Having it done for you, monthly
This is what we do, so read this part with that in mind.
One monthly price covers the design, the words, the build, hosting and changes after launch, with no build fee.
It suits you if you want a proper website without building it yourself or finding a large sum upfront, and you want someone on hand for changes.
Weigh up that it’s a monthly cost rather than a one-off. Whoever you choose, check what happens to your site if you leave. With us, it becomes yours after 12 payments, and you can stay on the plan or take it elsewhere.
Three questions to help you decide
- How many hours can you honestly give this? A good site takes more than a weekend, and the words take longest.
- Would you rather pay upfront or monthly? Neither is wrong. It depends on your cash flow.
- Who will make the changes after launch? Prices change, services change, and a site that isn’t kept up to date soon looks it.
If your answers point to a builder, that’s fine. Our comparison pages say plainly when another option is the better choice, with the costs and where they come from. See how the options compare.