I run a managed hosting business, so you can guess which way I lean. But I've also been a customer of the other options, and I don't think any of them is a scam. They just suit different people. Here's how I'd think about it if I were choosing for my own business.
Option one: DIY builders like Wix, Squarespace and GoDaddy
You pick a template, drag things around and publish. Setup can be quick and the monthly cost is often low.
What's good:
- You can get online in a weekend.
- Low upfront cost.
- Everything lives in one dashboard.
What to watch for:
- You're the designer, writer, photographer and tech support. Most owners underestimate how much time that takes.
- Prices change, and add ons for things like booking, extra email or removing platform branding can pile up.
- Templates make lots of businesses look alike, and performance and SEO control can be limited.
- Moving away later can be a pain. Your content doesn't always export cleanly.
Best for: someone with spare time, a simple need, and the patience to learn a platform.
Option two: a traditional agency
A team designs and builds a custom site for you. It's the full service route.
What's good:
- Professional design and strategy.
- Specialists for branding, copy and development.
- Good for larger or more complex projects.
What to watch for:
- Often a large upfront build fee, and then ongoing retainer fees for care and updates.
- Slow turnarounds on small changes, sometimes billed by the hour.
- Be sure you know who owns the domain and the site files when the project ends.
Best for: bigger organizations or businesses with complex needs and a budget to match.
Option three: a freelancer
One person builds your site, often at a friendlier price than an agency.
What's good:
- Direct contact with the person doing the work.
- Flexible and often affordable.
What to watch for:
- Quality varies a lot, so ask to see real past work.
- If they get busy or move on, who maintains your site? Who has the passwords?
- Hosting, security and updates may not be part of the deal unless you ask.
Best for: a defined one time project, as long as you own everything at the end and have a plan for upkeep.
Option four: managed hosting with a build included
This is where we sit. A provider builds the site, then hosts and looks after it for a flat monthly fee. You don't deal with servers, updates or security, and you can ask for changes when you need them.
What's good:
- One predictable monthly price instead of a big lump sum.
- Someone else handles hosting, security, backups and updates.
- Changes are included, so you don't wait for a quote every time you need a tweak.
What to watch for:
- You're relying on the provider to stay around, so check how easy it is to leave. Ask about the domain and your content.
- Not every provider includes the same things. Read what the fee actually covers.
- It isn't the right fit if you want to tinker with every pixel yourself.
Best for: busy owners who want a good looking site that stays working without becoming a second job.
Questions worth asking any provider
- Who owns the domain, and can I log in to that account?
- What exactly does the monthly fee include?
- If I leave, what happens to my site and my content?
- Is there a contract, and what does it cost to cancel?
- Who handles security, backups and certificates?
- How fast do you respond when something breaks?
A good provider will answer these without squirming. If you get vague answers, that tells you something.
Where we fit, and what it costs
Our plans are month to month with no long contracts. Starter is $60 a month, Growth is $100 and Pro is $150, all in Canadian dollars. If you already have a site that works and just want it hosted and looked after, Hosting and Management is $40 a month. You can see what each plan includes on the main page.
Not sure which route is right for you? Tell us what you've got now and what's bugging you about it. If another option suits you better, we'll tell you that too.