Use a website builder if you need a simple site fast, you're comfortable with design and writing, and you don't rely on Google for customers. Hire a web designer if the site needs to compete in search, convert visitors into enquiries, or represent a business where credibility matters — a designer usually pays for itself in leads within months.
Website builders (Wix, Squarespace, GoDaddy)
Where they win
- Low upfront cost — roughly £15–£40/month, no build fee.
- Fast to start — a basic site up in a weekend.
- You control edits — no waiting on anyone for small changes.
- Fine for simple needs — a one-page brochure, a portfolio, a "we exist" site.
Where they cost you
- Your time — 10–40 hours, and design and copywriting are on you.
- Generic look — templates are recognisable, and hard to make distinctive.
- Performance — usually slower than a hand-built site, which hurts both rankings and conversions.
- SEO ceiling — limited control over technical detail and structure; a real disadvantage in competitive local markets.
- Lock-in — moving off a builder later means rebuilding from scratch.
Hiring a web designer or small agency
Where it wins
- Custom design built around your customers and the action you want them to take.
- Speed and SEO — hand-built pages that load fast and are structured to rank.
- Done for you — design, copywriting, technical setup, Google Business Profile.
- Support — someone to call when something breaks or the business changes.
- It scales — add pages, SEO and ads without re-platforming.
Where it costs you
- Higher upfront — £595–£2,000 one-off for a small business, plus a monthly care fee.
- You rely on someone — choose an agency with fast support and no lock-in.
- Overkill for the very simplest sites — if you truly just need a placeholder, a builder is fine.
Quick decision guide
- Choose a builder if: budget is very tight, the site is simple, you enjoy the DIY, and customers find you by word of mouth or social media rather than Google.
- Choose a designer if: you compete for customers in Google search, the website needs to generate enquiries, you're a professional firm where trust matters, or your time is worth more than the fee you'd save.
The middle option
Some agencies (OnSquared included) build on fast, hand-coded pages but hand you a simple way to edit text and images yourself. You get the design and SEO of a custom build, with the day-to-day control of a builder. See how our small business web design works.
FAQ
Is a website builder good enough for a small business?
A website builder like Wix or Squarespace is good enough for a simple brochure site if you are comfortable with design and copywriting and do not depend heavily on Google for customers. If the website needs to compete in search and drive enquiries, a designer usually pays for itself.
Is Wix or Squarespace bad for SEO?
They are not bad for SEO in the way people claim, but they are limited. Page speed, control over technical details and site structure are all weaker than a hand-built site, which matters in competitive local markets.
How much cheaper is a website builder?
A builder costs roughly £15 to £40 a month with no build fee, but you spend 10 to 40 hours building it. A small agency build is £595 to £2,000 one-off plus a monthly care fee, with the design, copy and SEO done for you.