Freshweb compared with Wix, Squarespace and a freelance web designer
Most small businesses get a website one of three ways: build it themselves on a site builder, pay a freelancer or agency for a one-off build, or pay monthly for a site that's built and looked after for them. Freshweb is the third. Here's how they compare, including when another option suits you better.
Side by side
| Freshweb | Wix or Squarespace | Freelancer or agency | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who builds it | We do, from a few short questions | You do, in their editor | They do, from your brief |
| Up-front cost | No build fee | None to start, then a paid plan | Usually a one-off build fee |
| Ongoing cost | One monthly subscription, covering hosting and changes | A monthly or annual plan, on their pricing page | Usually hosting, plus changes or a maintenance plan |
| Making changes | Send them to us. Included. | You make them yourself | Usually charged per change or through a maintenance plan |
| Design | Custom, made for your business | Starts from a template you customise | Custom, depending on budget |
| Hosting and SSL | Included | Included in the plan | Sometimes included, sometimes arranged separately |
| If you leave | Site goes offline at the end of your paid month. You keep your domain and content; the code stays with us. | Your site stays on their platform. Moving generally means rebuilding it elsewhere. | You normally keep the site files and can host them anywhere |
| Your time | Answering questions and reviewing drafts | Building and maintaining the site | Briefing, reviewing and arranging changes |
When a site builder is the better choice
If you like the idea of building the site yourself and have a few evenings to spare, Wix or Squarespace will usually cost you less than we do. You make every change yourself, whenever you want, without waiting for anyone.
The cost is your time: choosing a template, writing and laying out each page, and keeping it up to date afterwards.
When a freelancer or agency is the better choice
If you want to own the code outright, host the site wherever you like, or need something complex and one-off, paying a freelancer or agency for a build makes more sense. You pay more at the start, and in return the finished site is yours to take anywhere.
Ask up front who will host it, what changes cost after launch, and who you contact when something needs fixing.
When Freshweb is the better choice
If you want a custom site without paying for the build, and you'd rather send changes to someone than make them yourself, that's what we do. You pay one monthly subscription, with hosting, security and changes included, and no minimum term.
The trade-off is that you're renting the site rather than buying it. If you cancel, it goes offline at the end of your paid month. You keep your domain and your content, but the code stays with us.
Full details are on our pricing page.
Questions
Is Freshweb cheaper than Wix or Squarespace?
Usually not, if you're only comparing the monthly bill: a site builder plan typically costs less. The difference is that we design and build the site and make your changes, where on a site builder you do that yourself.
Is Freshweb cheaper than a freelance web designer?
Up front, yes: we don't charge a build fee, where a freelancer usually does. Over several years a one-off build can work out cheaper, especially if you rarely need changes. With a freelancer you also normally keep the site files.
Can I move my Freshweb site somewhere else later?
You keep your domain and the content you gave us, and we can export it on request. The code stays with us, so the site itself can't be moved to another host as it is.
Do I own my domain with Freshweb?
Yes. You buy it from a registrar in your own name, and we connect it to your site.