Freelancer vs agency: who should build your website?
A straight comparison for small business owners, from someone who builds websites for a living. I build WordPress sites as a freelancer, so I've tried hard to be fair to the other side.
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Freelancer | Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | $500–$3,000 for a small business site | $2,500–$8,000+ at US/UK agencies |
| Who you talk to | The person building your site | An account manager; the build may be outsourced |
| Speed | Fast decisions, short queue | More process, more people |
| Risk | Depends on one person, so check reviews and ownership | Larger team, higher cost |
| Best for | Small businesses wanting direct contact and fair prices | Complex builds, big budgets, many stakeholders |
The verdict
For a standard small-business or WordPress site, an experienced freelancer usually gives the best value, as long as you own every login and get a fixed price in writing. Agencies make sense for complex, multi-team projects.
Next steps
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