DIY website or hire a web designer? How to decide for a small business
By Capital Growth Studio · Published · 5 min read
The expensive website is the one you build twice.
Build it yourself if your budget is tight, your needs are simple and you have the hours to spare. Hire a professional when the site needs to bring in customers, when booking, tracking or search setup has to be right, or when your time is worth more running the business. Either way, register the domain in your own name.
When does building your own website make sense?
- You're starting out and need something simple while you test the idea.
- It's a side project, and no income depends on it.
- You need a one-page site with your services, hours and phone number.
- You like learning the tools and have the time.
Building it yourself is easier than it used to be. Squarespace and Wix both now include AI tools in their builders (Squarespace, Wix). As of October 13, 2026, Squarespace's Basic plan was $19 a month billed annually ($25 month to month). Prices change, so check the current pricing pages.
When should you hire a web designer?
- The site needs to bring in calls, bookings or quote requests.
- You need booking, payments, call tracking or forms connected to your email or CRM.
- You want the site set up properly for search from the start: page titles, a page for each service and area, speed, and a connection to your Business Profile.
- Every hour you spend building is an hour you aren't running the business.
- A referral is going to look you up before calling, and the site needs to back up what they heard.
What does a small business website cost?
Most published cost guides are written by companies selling the service they're pricing. One of the larger data sets comes from Clutch, a directory of agencies that collects verified client reviews. Clutch says most web design projects reviewed on its site cost less than $10,000, and that agencies it lists typically charge about $100 to $149 an hour (Clutch, updated September 2026). Builder-based work on Wix, WordPress or Squarespace is listed at about $25 to $49 an hour.
| Build it yourself | Freelancer | Studio or agency | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up-front cost | A monthly plan (Squarespace from $19/month billed annually, October 2026) | Varies widely. Get a written quote. | Most projects reviewed on Clutch cost under $10,000 |
| Your time | All of it: design, writing, setup, updates | Content, photos and feedback | Content, photos and feedback |
| Who fixes problems | You, plus the builder's support | Depends on your agreement | Usually a support plan or retainer |
| What you own | Your content and domain. The site runs only on that builder. | Depends on your contract | Depends on your contract |
The price depends on scope: a five-page site and a site with online booking are different projects. Before any work starts, get a fixed, written quote that lists what's included. For market price ranges and the cost over three years, see what a small business website costs.
How do you know if a professional website will pay for itself?
Use your own numbers:
Customers needed to break even = website cost ÷ profit from one new customer
If a new customer brings you $400 in profit, every $1,000 the site costs needs 2.5 extra customers to pay for itself. If customers stay for years, as with HVAC maintenance plans, use the profit over the time they usually stay with you.
Then ask a realistic question: will a better site bring you that many extra customers over its life? For a business that gets most of its work from searches and referrals who check you online first, often yes. For a business that runs on a few long-standing contracts, maybe not.
What should you ask a web designer before you hire them?
- Will the domain be registered in my name? The person named on the registration (the registrant) controls the domain and is responsible for it (ICANN). That should be you.
- Who owns the hosting account, and can I move the site if we part ways? Some builders can't be moved at all: Wix says a Wix site has to run on Wix's servers (Wix).
- Will I have admin access to the site, Google Analytics, Search Console and my Business Profile?
- What's included after launch, and what costs extra?
- How long is the contract, and what happens if I cancel?
- Who will I work with?
Good answers sound like this: the domain is in your name; you own the site files and every account; if the designer hosts the site and you part ways, they move it into your own account; ongoing work is month to month; and you work directly with the person doing the work.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start on Wix or Squarespace and move to something else later?
You can move your domain if it's registered in your name. The site itself usually doesn't move, so plan on rebuilding the design when you switch. Keep your own copies of your text and photos.
Do I own my website if a designer builds it?
Only if your contract says so. Ask for the domain registered in your name, admin access to the site and hosting, and your analytics and Business Profile under your own accounts. Get it in writing before you pay.
Will a professional website rank better on Google?
Not automatically. What helps is what the site says and how it works: a clear page for each service and area, fast loading on phones, and business details that match your Business Profile. A builder site can do that with enough work. A professional should do it from the start.
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