| DIY builder | Freelancer | Agency / studio | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Lowest (plans ~$17-$500+/month) | $500-$10,000+ | $3,000-$30,000+ |
| Your time | High | Medium | Low |
| Design quality | Template-based | Varies widely | Consistent |
| SEO & AI discovery | Basic, up to you | Varies | Usually included |
| Speed | Often heavy templates | Varies | Usually optimized |
| Risk | Low cost, high time | Single point of failure | Higher cost, more process |
Price ranges from WebFX.
Choose DIY if…
You’re testing an idea, have more time than budget, and the site isn’t yet a major source of customers.
Choose a freelancer if…
You have a clear brief, a modest budget and a recommendation from someone whose site performs well. Agree on SEO, revisions and support in writing.
Choose an agency or studio if…
The website is a key source of leads or sales, you want design, SEO and content handled together, and you’d rather not manage the project yourself.
Questions to ask anyone you hire
- What exactly is included: pages, copy, SEO, revisions, support?
- Will I own the domain, design and content?
- How do you handle redirects if I already have a site?
- What Lighthouse scores do your sites get on mobile?
- How do you help my business show up in AI search?
