You’ve hit that moment – your website needs an upgrade, and you’re ready to invest.
Now you’re staring down two very different paths:
Do you hire a freelancer, or bring in a full agency?
One feels nimble and affordable. The other feels more robust, but more expensive.
And if you’ve never worked with either before, it’s hard to know which one’s going to nail it – or leave you fixing things six months later.
This article will help you figure it out. You’ll walk away knowing what each option really offers, what risks to consider, and which choice suits your goals, budget and bandwidth.
Table of contents
What’s the actual difference?
A freelancer is typically a one-person show.
They might be a designer, a developer or even a hybrid of both – but either way, you’re relying on a single skillset.
A web agency, like AE Studios, brings a full team to the table. Strategists, designers, copywriters, UX specialists, devs – all working together under one roof.
Why it matters:
If you only need one thing – like a landing page or a quick template tweak – a freelancer might be the perfect fit.
But if you need strategy, design, content and functionality that actually drives results? That’s where an agency shines.
How to decide:
Ask yourself: “Am I hiring for output, or outcome?”
If you just need something made, fast and cheap, output is fine.
If you’re after a site that performs, converts and supports your growth? You’re building for outcome. And that takes a team.
Scope: What are you really building?
Some sites are just online brochures.
Others are designed to capture leads, sell products, nurture trust and scale with your business. Big difference.
Want to know how we approach that?
👉 How Much Does a Website Actually Cost?
Freelancer:
- ✔ Good for simple, static sites
- ✔ Ideal for small projects with tight budgets
- ✘ You’ll likely need to provide the copy, the wireframes and manage the project
Agency:
- ✔ Handles the entire process – strategy, content, UX, design, dev
- ✔ Can help you scale beyond just a “nice looking site”
- ✔ Adds more value long-term (with less hands-on time from you)
Timeline & Communication
This one’s big.
Most freelancers are juggling multiple clients. Some are full-time employees doing freelance on the side. That doesn’t make them bad – but it does mean limited hours and potential delays.
Freelancer:
- ✔ One point of contact
- ✘ Limited capacity
- ✘ Risk of ghosting, delays, or slow revisions
Agency:
- ✔ Dedicated team, managed workflow
- ✔ Faster delivery, fewer bottlenecks
- ✔ Built-in support and post-launch care
Want a peek at how our process works?
👉 Our website process, broken down
Cost: Let’s talk money
Freelancers almost always come in cheaper upfront. But agencies bring more firepower – and that can save you from expensive mistakes down the line.
Freelancer:
- ✔ Lower cost for small projects
- ✘ Might need to hire additional specialists
- ✘ Risk of outgrowing the site fast
Agency:
- ✔ Higher initial cost
- ✔ More comprehensive service
- ✔ Future-proofed from day one
Hidden Costs (That No One Talks About)
A cheap site that doesn’t convert isn’t cheap – it’s expensive.
Because while you’re saving upfront, you’re losing out on traffic, leads and sales every single day.
Other things people forget to factor in:
- Time spent chasing freelancers and managing the project
- Paying extra for copy, SEO or custom functionality
- Needing to rebuild in 6–12 months when the site doesn’t scale
Need help writing copy that converts?
👉 How to Write Website Copy that Doesn’t Suck
So, which one’s right for you?
Here’s a straight-up comparison to help you choose:
| Overview | Freelancer | Agency (like AE Studios) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | ✅ Lower upfront cost | 🚩 Higher, but all-included |
| Project scope | ✅ Small, simple websites | ✅ Complex, strategic builds |
| Speed | 🚩 Can be delayed | ✅ Managed team = faster delivery |
| Skillset | 🚩 Limited to one person | ✅ Team of specialists |
| Content/copy | 🚩 Usually DIY | ✅ Co-written and guided |
| Scalability | 🚩 May outgrow it fast | ✅ Built to evolve |
| Support | 🚩 Hit or miss | ✅ Ongoing and reliable |
TL;DR?
Go with a freelancer if:
- Your project is small and budget is tight
- You’re comfortable writing your own content
- You’re happy to manage the process yourself
Choose an agency if:
- You want strategy, not just design
- Your site needs to convert, not just exist
- You’re ready to scale and want it done right the first time
And if you’re looking for an agency that doesn’t drown you in jargon or force you into cookie-cutter templates?
Hey. You just found us.
👉 Let’s build something brilliant