Agency vs DIY Website: Which Actually Makes Sense?
You've just received a quote from a web agency. Maybe it's £3,000. Maybe it's £8,000. Either way, you're wondering: is this worth it, or can I do this myself? Here's the honest comparison.
The Quick Answer
For 90% of small businesses, DIY with an AI builder is the smarter choice: same professional result for 1/100th of the cost. Agencies make sense for complex enterprise needs or if you have budget to burn and zero time to spare.
What an Agency Website Gets You
Typical Agency Project
Cost: £3,000 - £10,000+ | Timeline: 6-12 weeks
What You Get
- • Custom design from scratch
- • Professional copywriting (sometimes)
- • Project management
- • Meetings and consultations
- • Revisions included (usually 2-3 rounds)
- • Handover documentation
What Costs Extra
- • Content writing (often separate quote)
- • Professional photography
- • Ongoing hosting (£200-500/year)
- • Maintenance (£500-2,000/year)
- • Changes after launch (£50-200 each)
- • Additional pages (£100-500 each)
The Hidden Agency Costs
That £5,000 quote is rarely the final number. Add hosting, maintenance, and inevitable changes, and you're looking at £7,000-12,000 in year one, then £500-2,000 every year after.
What a DIY Website Gets You
AI Website Builder
Cost: £8-50 one-time | Timeline: 1-7 days
What You Get
- • Professional template-based design
- • AI-assisted copywriting
- • You're in complete control
- • Unlimited revisions (do it yourself)
- • Hosting included
- • SSL certificate included
- • Unlimited changes, forever
Your Time Investment
- • AI builder: 1-2 hours total
- • Traditional DIY (Wix): 10-20 hours
- • Learning curve: Minimal with AI
- • Ongoing: 30 mins/month for updates
The Real Comparison Table
| Factor | Agency | AI Builder |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront Cost | £3,000 - £10,000 | £8 - £50 |
| Annual Cost (After Year 1) | £500 - £2,000 | £0 - £60 |
| Your Time Investment | 10-20 hours (meetings, feedback) | 1-5 hours |
| Time to Launch | 6-12 weeks | 1-7 days |
| Design Quality | High (if good agency) | High (professional templates) |
| Mobile Responsive | Yes (usually) | Yes (always) |
| Making Changes | £50-200 per change | Free, instant |
| SEO Basics | Sometimes extra | Included |
| You Own the Site | Usually (check contract) | Yes, always |
| 3-Year Total Cost | £5,000 - £16,000 | £8 - £230 |
When an Agency Makes Sense
To be fair, there are legitimate reasons to hire an agency:
Consider an Agency If:
- Budget over £10,000 - You have money allocated and want premium results
- Complex requirements - Custom apps, integrations, booking systems with complex logic
- Zero time available - You genuinely can't spare 2 hours (not even for meetings?)
- Enterprise compliance - Specific security, accessibility, or regulatory requirements
- Large e-commerce - 500+ products, complex inventory, ERP integrations
If none of those apply to you - and for most small businesses they don't - you're better off with DIY.
When DIY Makes Sense (Most Small Businesses)
DIY Is Perfect If:
- Budget under £5,000 - Why spend £5k when £50 gets the same result?
- Standard website needs - Homepage, services, about, contact, maybe blog
- Can spare 2-5 hours - Once, not ongoing
- Want control over updates - Change text instantly without paying anyone
- Starting a new business - Validate first, invest later
- Service business - Restaurant, salon, consultant, tradesman, coach, etc.
The Middle Ground: AI-Powered DIY
The old DIY vs Agency debate assumed DIY meant spending 40 hours wrestling with Wix. That's changed.
AI Website Builders Offer:
Agency-Quality Results
- • Professional design principles
- • Proper typography and spacing
- • Mobile-optimised layouts
- • Fast loading speeds
DIY Price and Control
- • £8-50 instead of £5,000+
- • Instant changes, no waiting
- • No ongoing fees to update
- • You own everything
It's the best of both worlds: professional results without the agency price tag or the traditional DIY time investment.
Real Scenario: Same Business, Two Paths
Let's follow Sarah, a personal trainer starting her business:
Path A: Agency
- Week 1-2: Research agencies, get quotes
- Week 3: Sign contract, pay £2,000 deposit
- Week 4-6: Discovery meetings, questionnaires
- Week 7-10: Design rounds, feedback cycles
- Week 11-12: Development and testing
- Week 13: Launch, pay remaining £3,000
- Total: £5,000 + 20 hours of her time
- Time to first client: 3+ months
Path B: AI Builder
- Day 1, Hour 1: Sign up, describe business to AI
- Day 1, Hour 2: Customise generated site
- Day 1, Hour 3: Add photos, tweak copy
- Day 1, Hour 4: Connect domain, go live
- Day 2: Share on social, start marketing
- Total: £25 + 4 hours of her time
- Time to first client: Days, not months
The Difference?
Sarah B has £4,975 more to invest in marketing, equipment, or certifications. She's also 3 months ahead in building her client base. Both websites look professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a web agency charge for a business website?
Web agencies typically charge £3,000-£10,000 for a small business website. Complex sites can exceed £20,000. You'll also pay ongoing maintenance fees of £500-£2,000 per year, plus fees for any changes or updates.
Is a DIY website as good as an agency-built one?
For most small businesses, yes. Modern AI website builders produce professional results that are often indistinguishable from agency work. The main difference is customisation - agencies offer bespoke designs, while DIY uses (very good) templates.
How much time does a DIY website take?
With AI website builders, you can have a professional website live in 1-2 hours. Traditional DIY builders (Wix, Squarespace) typically take 10-20 hours. Agencies take 6-12 weeks, though your active time is only 10-20 hours in meetings and feedback.
When should I hire an agency instead of DIY?
Hire an agency if you have a budget over £10,000, need complex custom functionality (apps, integrations), have enterprise compliance requirements, or genuinely have zero time to invest. For 90% of small businesses, DIY is the smarter choice.
What ongoing costs should I expect with each option?
Agency: £500-£2,000/year for maintenance plus £50-£200 per change request. DIY platforms: £150-£500/year for subscriptions. AI builders: £0-£60/year after initial setup. DIY is significantly cheaper long-term.
Can I start with DIY and move to an agency later?
Absolutely. Many businesses start with a DIY website to validate their business, then invest in agency work once they're established. Starting lean is smart business - you can always upgrade later.
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