Internet Crafters vs the Alternatives
When it comes to getting a website for your business, you generally have three alternatives to hiring a local web design company like us: building it yourself with a DIY platform, hiring a freelancer, or working with a large agency. Each option has real strengths and real tradeoffs. Here is an honest look at how they compare.
A note about these comparisons
We have tried to be fair and accurate in every comparison below. There are situations where a DIY builder, freelancer, or large agency is genuinely the better choice for your needs. We would rather help you make the right decision than oversell ourselves. If you think any of this information is inaccurate or unfair, let us know and we will correct it.
Internet Crafters vs DIY Website Builders
Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and WordPress.com make it possible for anyone to create a website. They are affordable and accessible. However, the time investment and limitations are real tradeoffs that many business owners do not anticipate until they are already committed.
| Category | Internet Crafters | DIY Builders |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Design | Designed from scratch for your brand and goals | Choose from pre-made templates shared by thousands of other sites |
| SEO Setup | Technical SEO built in: meta tags, schema markup, fast load times, clean URLs | Basic SEO tools available but require you to configure them yourself |
| Mobile Optimization | Responsive design tested across devices and screen sizes | Templates are generally responsive, but customization can break layouts |
| Ongoing Support | Optional $30/mo updates package; custom work available at hourly rates | Community forums and help docs; no dedicated person who knows your site |
| Typical Cost | $550 one-time for a professional multi-page site | $0-$50/mo for the platform, plus your time to build and maintain it |
| Timeline | Approximately 2-4 weeks from start to launch | Depends entirely on your availability and learning curve |
| Content Writing | Guidance on what content works; copywriting available as add-on | You write all content yourself |
| Performance | Optimized code, compressed images, fast hosting | Platform handles hosting; performance depends on template and your content |
| Ownership | You own everything: code, domain, hosting account | Your content is tied to the platform; moving away means rebuilding |
| Best For | Business owners who want a professional result without doing it themselves | Hobbyists, side projects, or businesses with very tight budgets and spare time |
When a DIY builder might be the better choice
If you are just starting a side project, testing a business idea before investing, or if you genuinely enjoy building websites and have the time to learn the platform, a DIY builder can be a reasonable starting point. They are also a good fit if your budget is under $200 and you cannot wait for a professional build. Just understand that you will spend significant time on something that is not your core business, and the result may not perform as well for search engines or conversions as a professionally built site.
Internet Crafters vs Freelance Web Designers
Freelance web designers range from students building their first portfolio to seasoned professionals with decades of experience. The quality, pricing, and reliability vary enormously. A great freelancer can do excellent work, but finding one and managing the relationship takes effort.
| Category | Internet Crafters | Freelancers |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Design | Consistent design quality backed by a documented process | Quality varies widely depending on the individual freelancer |
| SEO Setup | SEO is part of every build: structured data, performance, meta tags | Some freelancers include SEO; many treat it as an add-on or skip it |
| Mobile Optimization | Mobile-first approach with cross-device testing | Usually included, but depth of testing varies |
| Ongoing Support | Structured support plans with clear pricing | Depends on the freelancer's availability; they may take on other projects |
| Typical Cost | $550 for a complete professional site | $500-$5,000+ depending on experience and scope |
| Timeline | 2-4 weeks with clear milestones | Highly variable; depends on freelancer's workload and responsiveness |
| Reliability | Business with documented processes; not dependent on one person's schedule | If the freelancer gets busy, sick, or moves on, support may disappear |
| Revisions | 2 rounds of revisions included in every project | Revision policy varies; some charge extra for every change |
| Ownership | Full ownership of code, domain, and hosting from day one | Usually you own the site, but some freelancers retain design rights |
| Best For | Businesses that want professional quality with predictable cost and process | Businesses with larger budgets seeking highly specialized or artistic design work |
When a freelancer might be the better choice
If you need highly specialized design work, such as custom illustrations, complex animations, or a very specific artistic vision, a talented freelancer with expertise in that area might be the better fit. Freelancers can also be a good choice if you have a larger budget and want a long-term creative partner who will develop a deep understanding of your brand over many projects. The key is thoroughly vetting their portfolio, checking references, and discussing what happens if they become unavailable.
Internet Crafters vs Large Web Agencies
Large agencies bring teams of specialists and can handle complex projects that require multiple disciplines. They offer depth and breadth that smaller operations cannot match. However, that overhead comes at a cost, both in dollars and in process complexity, that may not be necessary for every business.
| Category | Internet Crafters | Large Agencies |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Design | Professional custom design focused on your business goals | High-end custom design with larger teams and more elaborate process |
| SEO Setup | Technical SEO included in every build at no extra charge | SEO often sold as a separate retainer costing $500-$5,000+/mo |
| Mobile Optimization | Responsive design is standard in every project | Always included; may involve more extensive device testing |
| Ongoing Support | $30/mo for updates; hourly rates for custom work | Monthly retainers typically $500-$5,000+ for maintenance and updates |
| Typical Cost | $550 for a professional multi-page website | $5,000-$50,000+ depending on scope, with typical projects around $10,000-$20,000 |
| Timeline | 2-4 weeks for most projects | 6-16 weeks is common; larger projects can take months |
| Communication | Direct communication with the person building your site | Account managers, project managers, and designers; more layers between you and the work |
| Scalability | Great for small to mid-size business websites; custom work available for growth | Better equipped for enterprise-level projects, complex integrations, and large teams |
| Ownership | You own everything outright | Ownership terms vary; some agencies retain code or design rights |
| Best For | Small to mid-size businesses that want professional quality without enterprise pricing | Larger businesses needing complex functionality, multi-department coordination, or ongoing strategy |
When a large agency might be the better choice
If your business needs a complex web application, multi-language support, integration with enterprise software, or a large-scale e-commerce platform with thousands of products, a full-service agency has the team to handle that scope. Agencies are also the right choice when you need ongoing strategic services like content marketing, paid advertising management, and brand strategy all under one roof. For most small to mid-size businesses with straightforward website needs, however, the agency model adds cost and complexity without proportional benefit.
So Which Option Is Right for You?
There is no universally correct answer. The right choice depends on your budget, timeline, technical comfort level, and how much ongoing support you will need. Here is a quick framework to help you decide.
Choose a DIY builder if:
- -- Your budget is under $200 and you have spare time
- -- You are testing a business idea before committing
- -- You enjoy learning new tools and do not mind the time investment
Choose a freelancer if:
- -- You need highly specialized or artistic design work
- -- You have a larger budget and want a long-term creative partner
- -- You have found someone with a strong portfolio and verified references
Choose a large agency if:
- -- You need complex functionality like enterprise integrations or large e-commerce
- -- Your budget is $10,000+ and you need a multi-discipline team
- -- You want ongoing strategic services beyond just the website
Choose Internet Crafters if:
- -- You want a professional website without spending thousands of dollars
- -- You value transparent pricing, clear timelines, and direct communication
- -- You want to own your website outright with affordable ongoing support
Continue Exploring
Still have questions about how we compare?
We are happy to walk you through our process, show you examples of our work, and answer any questions -- no sales pitch, no pressure. If we are not the right fit, we will tell you.