Ready-made website vs hiring a web agency
An agency build is made for you from scratch. A marketplace build is already finished and made yours afterwards. Both end with a real website you own — the difference is how much time and money it takes to get there.
| Â | Wondercraft | a web agency |
|---|---|---|
| Typical spend | One payment in the low thousands, with optional enhancement packs | £5,000 to £20,000+ for a comparable small business site |
| Time to live | Days — the build already exists and only needs your content | Six to sixteen weeks including discovery and revision rounds |
| What you see before paying | The finished site, live and clickable, before you buy | Mockups and a proposal; the real thing arrives near the end |
| Ownership | Full source code and a written licence on handover | Varies — some agencies retain code or host it themselves |
| Changes | Included change requests, then enhancement packs as you need them | Scoped in the contract, then charged by the hour or day |
| Ongoing cost | Hosting only, unless you choose support | Monthly retainer is common |
When a web agency is the better choice
- Complex systems, custom software or integrations with in-house tools
- Large teams needing workshops, stakeholder rounds and formal sign-off
- Brand identity work that has to be created before the site exists
Common questions
Is a ready-made website lower quality than an agency build?
No. Every marketplace build is made by the same studio, in the same code, with the same standards. The difference is that it was designed before you asked rather than after.
Can I still get something unique?
Yes. Choose a custom build if you need a website made only for you, or start from a marketplace build and have us restyle it to your brand.
What if I need features the build does not have?
Tell us before or after purchase. Extra functionality is quoted as an enhancement pack with a stated delivery time.
Other comparisons
Keep reading
4 min guideReady-made or custom build?How to tell which route actually fits your businessRead moreComparisonReady-made website vs Wix, Squarespace and other buildersHow a finished, code-owned website compares with drag-and-drop builders on monthly cost, speed, ownership, design quality and the work you have to do yourself.Read moreComparisonReady-made website vs hiring a freelancerComparing a finished marketplace website with hiring a freelance developer: price, availability, risk, aftercare and what happens when they move on.Read moreIndustryAgency & Studio websitesReady-made agency & studio websites, fully built and live in days — branded to your business with website enhancement packs.Read moreIndustryDomains & Web Hosting websitesReady-made domains & web hosting websites, fully built and live in days — branded to your business with website enhancement packs.Read moreIndustryInternet & Web Hosting websitesReady-made internet & web hosting websites, fully built and live in days — branded to your business with website enhancement packs.Read more
