Do You Need a Web Designer or a Website Builder?
If you’re planning to launch a new website, one of the first questions you’ll face is whether to hire a professional web designer or use a website builder like Wix, Squarespace, or Shopify. Each option has its advantages, and the best choice depends on your business goals, your timeline, and your budget.
Website builders are user-friendly platforms that let you create a site yourself using drag-and-drop tools. They come with templates, built-in hosting, and monthly subscription plans. They’re great for basic websites that don’t require custom functionality and can be built quickly by someone with no technical experience.
Hiring a web designer, on the other hand, gives you a professional, customized website that’s tailored to your business. Designers bring strategy, branding, and conversion-focused thinking to the table. They’ll build your site from the ground up to look polished, load quickly, and guide visitors toward taking action.
The right choice depends on how important your website is to your business. If you’re building a personal blog or temporary landing page, a builder may be enough. But if your website is a core part of your brand or your business depends on attracting leads online, working with a designer will almost always deliver better results.
The biggest draw to website builders is affordability. Platforms like Wix or Squarespace charge between $15 and $50 per month, and there are no large upfront design fees. You can launch something quickly, and the platform handles hosting, updates, and maintenance behind the scenes.
However, what you save in money, you often pay for in limitations. Website builders are restricted to their template structures, which means your site might look just like everyone else’s. Customizing layouts or adding advanced features is often difficult. And most builders aren’t built for speed, SEO, or long-term scalability.
Web designers give you much more control and flexibility. They build your website around your brand voice, your target audience, and your specific goals. That includes everything from conversion-friendly layouts and responsive design to better SEO structure and branding consistency across all pages.
Another reason to choose a professional designer is growth. As your business expands, you may need features like CRM integrations, booking tools, online payment systems, or membership portals. Builders often struggle with these needs or require expensive plugins. Custom-built sites scale much more efficiently.
Time is another factor. While builders seem quick, most business owners spend dozens of hours trying to make their website look professional—writing copy, resizing images, adjusting layouts, and learning new tools. A web designer handles all of that for you, allowing you to stay focused on running your business.
Some business owners avoid hiring a web designer because they assume it’s too expensive. But today, many agencies and freelancers offer affordable options. Some even offer done-for-you demos or flat-rate packages that include design, content layout, mobile optimization, and SEO—all bundled into one.
If you're stuck between the two options, here are a few questions that can help you decide. Is your website responsible for driving sales or booking appointments? Do you want a site that looks unique and feels tailored to your brand? Do you want to avoid spending weeks building it yourself? Do you expect your website to evolve or grow over time?
If you answered yes to most of those questions, hiring a web designer is the smarter long-term investment. If you just need something basic up quickly and have time to do it yourself, a builder may be enough to get started.
At Orbital Marketing Agency, we combine the convenience of a fast launch with the quality of professional design. We’ll build a fully customized website demo for your business—99% done and ready to review—before you commit to anything. No DIY frustration. No guesswork. Just results.
Schedule Your Free Custom Website Demonstration today and let us show you what’s possible when real strategy meets beautiful design—before you spend a single penny.
Website builders are user-friendly platforms that let you create a site yourself using drag-and-drop tools. They come with templates, built-in hosting, and monthly subscription plans. They’re great for basic websites that don’t require custom functionality and can be built quickly by someone with no technical experience.
Hiring a web designer, on the other hand, gives you a professional, customized website that’s tailored to your business. Designers bring strategy, branding, and conversion-focused thinking to the table. They’ll build your site from the ground up to look polished, load quickly, and guide visitors toward taking action.
The right choice depends on how important your website is to your business. If you’re building a personal blog or temporary landing page, a builder may be enough. But if your website is a core part of your brand or your business depends on attracting leads online, working with a designer will almost always deliver better results.
The biggest draw to website builders is affordability. Platforms like Wix or Squarespace charge between $15 and $50 per month, and there are no large upfront design fees. You can launch something quickly, and the platform handles hosting, updates, and maintenance behind the scenes.
However, what you save in money, you often pay for in limitations. Website builders are restricted to their template structures, which means your site might look just like everyone else’s. Customizing layouts or adding advanced features is often difficult. And most builders aren’t built for speed, SEO, or long-term scalability.
Web designers give you much more control and flexibility. They build your website around your brand voice, your target audience, and your specific goals. That includes everything from conversion-friendly layouts and responsive design to better SEO structure and branding consistency across all pages.
Another reason to choose a professional designer is growth. As your business expands, you may need features like CRM integrations, booking tools, online payment systems, or membership portals. Builders often struggle with these needs or require expensive plugins. Custom-built sites scale much more efficiently.
Time is another factor. While builders seem quick, most business owners spend dozens of hours trying to make their website look professional—writing copy, resizing images, adjusting layouts, and learning new tools. A web designer handles all of that for you, allowing you to stay focused on running your business.
Some business owners avoid hiring a web designer because they assume it’s too expensive. But today, many agencies and freelancers offer affordable options. Some even offer done-for-you demos or flat-rate packages that include design, content layout, mobile optimization, and SEO—all bundled into one.
If you're stuck between the two options, here are a few questions that can help you decide. Is your website responsible for driving sales or booking appointments? Do you want a site that looks unique and feels tailored to your brand? Do you want to avoid spending weeks building it yourself? Do you expect your website to evolve or grow over time?
If you answered yes to most of those questions, hiring a web designer is the smarter long-term investment. If you just need something basic up quickly and have time to do it yourself, a builder may be enough to get started.
At Orbital Marketing Agency, we combine the convenience of a fast launch with the quality of professional design. We’ll build a fully customized website demo for your business—99% done and ready to review—before you commit to anything. No DIY frustration. No guesswork. Just results.
Schedule Your Free Custom Website Demonstration today and let us show you what’s possible when real strategy meets beautiful design—before you spend a single penny.