Building or rebuilding a website is one of the biggest brand investments you’ll make. Getting the decision wrong – going too cheap, choosing the wrong partner, not understanding what you’re buying – is expensive. At DISBRANDED, we spend way more time trying to unf**k websites than building a new one or updating a good one. So how should you go about building your website?

Here’s how to think about it.

Option 1: DIY

Best for: Early-stage organisations, tight budgets, simple sites and entrepreneurs who are interested in learning it.

Platforms: Squarespace, Wix, WordPress, Webflow (more advanced), Figma, countless others

Recommendation: WordPress with an Elementor page builder is what we use and is the best option for all-round ability and SEO.

Pros: Low cost, full control, can update yourself Cons: Time-intensive, limited design capability, can look DIY if not done well.

Budget: $0-$500/year in platform fees + your time.

Option 2: Freelancer

Best for: Organisations with some budget who need a custom site without agency overhead

Pros: More customised than DIY, personal relationship, often more affordable than agencies Cons: Variable quality, availability can be an issue, limited support after delivery

Budget: $2,000-$10,000 for a full website build

Important: When using a freelancer, it’s best to engage them via a platform like UpWork so there is an intermediary if the project goes off the rails. Utilising an overseas freelancer can be cheap but if they disappear with your money you have little recourse. What we also see a lot with some freelancers is they will ‘custom code’ a website so that only they can change it, effectively holding your business and website hostage. Ask for any work to be built on a generic builder, request full access from the start and have a contract with clearly defined requirements. Also pay upon completion or only 50% upfront. 

Option 3: Agency

Best for: Established organisations with significant brand investment needs

Pros: Full service, strategy + design + development, ongoing support Cons: Higher cost, can feel impersonal, quality varies enormously. branding agencies are great at selling because that’s what they do all day!

Budget: $8,000-$50,000+ depending on complexity. 

Questions to ask any web builder

  • Who owns the website and domain after build?
    • Must be you. Some agencies will build you a website but the fine print states they own it. Never agree to this.
  • What platform will it be built on and can I update it myself?
    • Never go for custom coding. Ask for common builders and hosting platform. 
  • What’s included in the quote (design, copy, SEO, training)?
    • Don’t sign off on this until it is crystal clear and in writing.
  • What does ongoing support look like and what does it cost?
    • Some website projects are handed over and others have ongoing maintenance support. Get clear on what this is.
  • Can I see examples of similar sites you’ve built?
    • Always review their work, get an AI to check the SEO of the sites and ask for testimonials. 
  • What happens if I’m not happy with the work?
    • This is why contracts are important. Don’t make it personal, use the language of the project and terms and conditions, state what is wrong and ask for it to be remedied. Most of the time it’s a communication breakdown and can be easily resolved. Use the contracts and be clear on the issues. If it escalates, refer to consumer law. 

Exercise

Decide which path is right for your organisation right now. If hiring, write a list of 10 questions you’ll ask potential builders.

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