If you need a website for your business, you have two main routes: build it yourself with a website builder, or have it done for you. Both can work. The right choice depends on your time, your budget and how much you enjoy tinkering with design.
Option 1: Build it yourself with a website builder
Website builders let you pick a template, drag in your text and photos, and publish. They’re a reasonable choice if you enjoy design, have spare time, and don’t mind learning as you go.
- Pros: you’re in full control, you can start today, and simple sites can be inexpensive.
- Cons: it takes longer than most people expect, templates can look generic, and you’re responsible for the domain, email, SEO settings, updates and fixes.
Option 2: A done-for-you website
With a done-for-you website, a designer builds the site around your business, and you supply your information and photos. You review it, request changes, and it goes live.
- Pros: it looks professional from day one, you save hours of your own time, and the technical side is handled for you.
- Cons: you rely on someone else for bigger changes, and traditional once-off builds can mean a large upfront cost.
The hidden cost: your time
The biggest difference is usually time. A small business owner building a site from scratch can easily spend several evenings and weekends on it. If an hour of your time is worth more spent on customers, a done-for-you option often works out cheaper in practice.
What about ongoing work?
A website isn’t finished at launch. Domains renew, hosting needs paying, plugins and security need updating, and your prices and photos change. Whichever route you choose, check who looks after this, and what it costs.
A middle option: monthly done-for-you plans
Monthly website plans combine the best of both: a professionally designed site, without a large upfront fee. At Wonder Studio, plans start at R199/month with your .co.za domain, hosting, business email, a logo and basic maintenance included, and the price halves from month 13. You can work out your cost with our calculator or compare all plans.
Still not sure?
The easiest way to decide is to see what a done-for-you website would look like for your business. We’ll design your homepage for free and send it on WhatsApp within 24 hours (weekdays), with no card and no obligation. Get your free homepage preview.
See your new website before you pay a cent
Get a free, custom homepage preview for your business on WhatsApp within 24 hours (weekdays). No card, no obligation. Plans from R199/month if you love it.
Helpful next steps: Website cost calculator · Websites by industry · Compare plans
Written by
Robin ElliottFounder of Wonder Studio in Randburg, Johannesburg. Robin builds custom websites and creates video content that help South African small businesses get seen, trusted and chosen online.
