A website builder such as Squarespace or Wix costs little upfront (Squarespace plans run from $12 to $25 per month billed yearly), but you do the design, writing, photos and setup yourself. A web designer costs more upfront, but builds the site for you, writes it for Google and connects it to your Google Business Profile. Choose a builder if you have time, a simple offer and a tight budget; hire a web designer if your time is worth more, you need the site to bring calls and bookings, or you need features such as several languages or an online store. At Amana Digital USA, websites start from $1,200 and online stores from $2,500.
Key points
- Website builders are cheap to start: Squarespace costs $12 to $25 per month billed yearly ($19 to $36 month to month), plus your time.
- The real cost of a builder is the hours you spend on design, text, photos, Google setup and updates.
- A web designer costs more upfront but delivers a finished site built for phones, Google and your goal.
- Many web designers can also build on Squarespace or Wix, so the choice is not always one or the other.
- Whoever builds it, the domain and the site should be in your name.
- Amana Digital USA: websites from $1,200, online stores from $2,500, with a written quote in USD.
What is the difference?
A website builder is an online tool (Squarespace, Wix, GoDaddy, Shopify for stores) where you pick a template and edit it yourself. You pay a monthly subscription that includes hosting.
A web designer (a freelancer or an agency) plans and builds the site for you: structure, design, text, photos, mobile version, speed and Google setup. Some build on a website builder, others on WordPress or custom code.
How much does each option cost?
Compare the total cost over the first year, not only the first invoice.
- Squarespace: $12, $17 or $25 per month on a yearly plan, or $19, $27 or $36 month to month (squarespace.com, checked 29 October 2026). Add a domain after the first year and any paid add-ons.
- Wix and other builders: also a monthly or yearly subscription; prices change often with promotions, so check the current plan page.
- Your time: a simple builder site usually takes a beginner several evenings or weekends, more if you write all the text and take the photos yourself.
- A web designer: a one-time project price, plus hosting and any update plan. At Amana Digital USA, websites start from $1,200 and online stores from $2,500.
When a website builder is the right choice
- You are just starting and need a simple page with your services, hours and contact details.
- You enjoy design and writing, and have time to learn the tool.
- Your budget is very tight this year, and you plan to upgrade later.
- You only need a few pages and no special features.
When to hire a web designer
- Your website must bring calls, bookings, quote requests or orders, not just exist.
- You want to show up on Google for searches in your area, which needs the right page structure, text and speed.
- You need several languages, an online store, a booking system or many service pages.
- You already tried a builder and the site looks unfinished, loads slowly or brings no customers.
- Your hours are better spent running your business.
What a builder will not do for you
A website builder gives you the tool, not the result. These are the parts most do-it-yourself sites miss:
- Text written around what customers actually search for, such as your service plus your town.
- A Google Business Profile that matches the website, with the same name, address and phone.
- Good photos of your real business, cropped and compressed so the site stays fast on phones.
- Clear call, directions and booking buttons visible without scrolling on a phone.
- Search Console set up, so you can see which searches bring visitors.
Questions to ask before you hire a web designer
- Can I see live websites you built, on my phone?
- What is included in the price, and what costs extra (domain, hosting, photos, text, updates)?
- Will the domain and the website be in my name?
- Will the site be set up for Google and connected to my Google Business Profile?
- How do I make small changes later, and what does it cost if you do them?
Our approach
We design websites for small businesses in Greater Boston and abroad: mobile first, fast, written for the searches your customers make, and connected to your Google Business Profile. If a website builder fits your needs better, we will tell you. See affordable web design in Boston, our work, our restaurant website cost guide, or call Abdelouahab at +1 (617) 386-9074.