Wix, Squarespace or Hire a Web Designer? How to Choose
There is no single right answer. Each route has real strengths, and the best fit depends on your budget, your time and how much you want to do yourself. Here is an honest side-by-side.
- Tailored, mobile-friendly design
- Fast hosting with global CDN delivery
- Active security and monitoring
- Routine updates handled for you
- Live in 10 days
Wix and Squarespace vs a designer vs a managed website
| DIY builder (Wix, Squarespace) | Freelancer or agency | Managed website (Aileron Marketing) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low, often under $300 | $500 to $15,000 or more | $399 setup |
| Monthly cost | About $10 to $30 | Maintenance often extra | $99 flat |
| Your time | High: you design, write and maintain | Moderate: meetings and revisions | Low: one intake form, then send us changes |
| Design quality | Depends on your skill | High | Professionally tailored to your brand |
| Ongoing upkeep | You | Extra cost or you | Included |
| Portability | Design generally stays on the platform | Depends on the contract | Content always yours; design after 24 months |
Price ranges reflect published 2026 small business cost guides; see our website cost guide.
Which option fits you?
You enjoy building things, have time to spare and want complete control. It is also a fine way to test an idea on a tiny budget.
You need something complex, such as an online store, booking system or unusual design, and have the budget and patience for a bigger project.
You run a local service business, want a professional site fast and would rather spend your time on the work than on the website.
The hidden cost of doing it yourself
A DIY builder looks cheap because your time is not on the invoice. Designing pages, writing copy, sizing photos, setting up forms, checking the site on a phone and keeping everything updated adds up to many hours, usually at the moment you are busiest.
If you have the hours and the interest, that trade can be worthwhile. If you don’t, a done-for-you website buys those hours back.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Wix and Squarespace good enough for a small business?+−
Is hiring a web designer worth it?+−
Can I start on Wix and switch later?+−
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Tell us about your business and your managed website goes live in 10 days.