Website builder vs web designer: which is right for your small business?
A website builder such as Wix or Squarespace is cheapest if you have time to design, write and set up tracking yourself; Wix plans start at about $17 a month billed yearly in 2026. A web designer or done-for-you service costs more up front but saves your time and should include tracking and search setup. Our own one-day small business website is $999, one-time.
- A website builder is the cheapest way to start if you have time to do the work yourself.
- The hidden cost of a builder is your time, plus the setup people often skip: tracking, search basics and clear service pages.
- Builder sites usually cannot be moved to another platform. A WordPress site on your own hosting can.
- A done-for-you website costs more up front but should arrive with tracking and search setup done.
The short answer
Choose a website builder if you want the lowest cash cost, have a few free evenings, and are happy to handle design, writing, search settings and tracking yourself. Choose a done-for-you website if your time is worth more than the difference, or if you want calls, forms and bookings tracked from day one.
Your options compared
| Option | What you pay | Your time | Who sets up tracking and SEO | Can you move the site later? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Website builder (Wix, Squarespace and similar) | A monthly plan, for example Wix from $17 a month billed yearly | Days to weeks of your own evenings | You | Usually not as it is; leaving means rebuilding |
| Freelancer | About $1,500 to $5,000, one-time | A few calls and reviews | Depends on the freelancer | Yes, if built on WordPress and handed over |
| Agency | About $5,000 to $15,000, one-time | Several meetings | Usually the agency | Yes, if built on WordPress and handed over |
| Frisler one-day website | $999, one-time; domain and hosting paid separately | About an hour to send us your details | Us: GA4, Tag Manager, conversion tracking, Search Console | Yes: WordPress on your own hosting |
Freelancer and agency ranges are typical figures from 2026 cost guides; see how much a website costs. Builder prices change often: check Wix plans and Squarespace pricing before you decide.
What website builders cost in 2026
Wix’s paid plans run from about $17 to $159 a month when billed yearly. The Light plan is about $17 a month yearly, or $24 month to month. To sell products or services online you need at least Core, about $29 a month. Squarespace’s plans sit in a similar range. Extra apps, professional email and domain renewals after the first year usually cost more on top.
As a rough comparison over two years: a $29-a-month builder plan comes to about $700, before apps and before your time. A $999 one-time website comes to $999 plus hosting and domain, which you pay the provider directly.
When a website builder is the right choice
- You are just starting and need a simple online presence quickly.
- You enjoy design and writing and have time to keep the site updated.
- You mainly sell online and want the builder’s built-in store and checkout.
- Your budget is tight this year and you accept rebuilding later.
When a done-for-you website makes more sense
- Customers find you on Google and you want to know which calls, forms and bookings came from the site.
- You plan to run Google Ads and need conversion tracking set up properly.
- You want clear service and location pages that answer what customers search for.
- You want to own the site and be able to move it to another host or agency.
- You would rather spend the hours running your business.
What people forget when they build it themselves
- Tracking: Google Analytics 4 with call, form and booking events, so you can see what the site brings in.
- Search basics: page titles, a sitemap submitted to Google Search Console, and structured data.
- Your Google Business Profile: the same name, address, phone and hours as the website, and a link between them.
- Mobile: most local customers will see the site on a phone first.
- Clear calls to action: a phone number and a short form on every page.
Questions to ask before you choose
- Who owns the site, the domain and the hosting account?
- Can I move the site to another provider later?
- Will calls, forms and bookings be tracked, and where will I see them?
- Who writes the page copy?
- What does it cost in year two, not just at the start?
Up to 5 pages with copy, mobile-first WordPress design, tracking set up (GA4, Tag Manager, calls, forms and bookings), Search Console, structured data and one Google Ads search campaign set up. Live one working day after we receive your logo, photos, service details and access. For businesses in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. See what is included.
Common questions
Short, direct answers.
Is a website builder good enough for a small business?
Often, yes. If you need a simple site, have time to write and update it yourself, and are comfortable setting up your own tracking and Google Business Profile link, a builder like Wix or Squarespace is a sensible, low-cost start.
How much does Wix cost for a small business?
Wix paid plans run from about $17 to $159 a month when billed yearly in 2026. The Light plan is about $17 a month yearly or $24 month to month, and you need at least the Core plan, about $29 a month, to sell online. Check Wix’s own pricing page for current prices.
Is it cheaper to build a website myself?
In cash, usually yes at first. A builder plan costs a few hundred dollars a year. The cost is your time, and the parts people often skip: conversion tracking, search setup and clear service pages.
Can I move a Wix or Squarespace site to another platform later?
Not as it is. Builder sites generally stay on that builder; moving usually means rebuilding the site elsewhere. A WordPress site on your own hosting can be moved.
What do I get with Frisler’s $999 website?
Up to 5 pages with copy, mobile-first WordPress design, a contact form, click-to-call and WhatsApp, GA4 and Tag Manager with conversion tracking, Search Console, a sitemap, structured data, a Business Profile link, one Google Ads search campaign set up, and one round of changes within 2 business days. Domain, hosting and ad spend are paid separately.
Related
Prices, packages and what a good small business site needs.
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