Website builder or web designer?
Use a website builder if you need a straightforward site for a local business and want to keep costs low; it costs tens or hundreds of euro a year. Pay a web designer if you need a custom design, an online shop or features a builder can't do; expect a few thousand euro up front.
Last updated 10 November 2026
What does each cost?
| Route | Up front | Every year after |
|---|---|---|
| Done-for-you builder (Sitefront) | Nothing | €120, hosting included |
| DIY builder (e.g. Squarespace Basic) | Nothing | About €177, hosting included |
| Web design agency | €2,000 to €4,000 for a basic five-page site | €120 to €350 for domain and hosting, plus any maintenance |
Agency figures come from one Dublin agency's published 2026 guide; freelancers often charge less. Always get itemised quotes that say what's included.
When is a website builder enough?
For most local businesses a builder is enough. If customers find you nearby and contact you to book or ask for a price, your site needs clear words, your services, your areas, photos and an easy way to get in touch. A good builder does all of that.
When should you hire a web designer?
- You need an online shop, bookings or a members' area
- You need a custom design that matches an existing brand closely
- You want someone else to manage everything, including changes
- Your site has many pages or complex content
What about the time it takes?
A DIY builder takes the most of your own time, because you design and write everything. A web designer takes the least of your time but weeks of theirs. A done-for-you builder like Sitefront sits in between: it writes and designs the site in minutes, and you spend your time on photos and checking the details.
What should you ask before you choose?
- Who owns the domain, and is it registered in my name?
- Who owns the content and photos?
- What does a change cost, and can I make changes myself?
- What happens if I want to leave?
With Sitefront the answers are: the domain is registered in your name, the content is yours, changes are free and done by you, and you can cancel any time and move your domain with a transfer code.
Sources
Build your website free, pay only when it goes live.