When a business needs a website, it usually has three options: build it yourself on a website builder, hire a freelancer, or order from a studio. Each is the right choice in some situations and the wrong one in others. Here is an honest comparison without sales pressure.
The short answer
| Website builder | Freelancer | Studio | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Lowest, monthly fee | Low to medium | Medium to higher |
| Speed to start | Hours | Days | Days |
| Design | Templates | Depends on the person | Custom |
| Texts | You write | Usually you | Often included |
| Integrations (bots, CRM, payments) | Limited | Depends | Yes |
| Languages and SEO | Basic | Depends | Built in |
| Contract and responsibility | Platform terms | Often informal | Contract |
| Support after launch | Platform help | If available | Usually offered |
When a website builder is the right choice
- You are testing an idea and have almost no budget.
- You need one simple page with contacts this week.
- You are comfortable writing texts and choosing images yourself.
Limits to keep in mind: templates look similar, complex integrations are hard, the website depends on the platform's subscription, and moving away later takes work.
When a freelancer is the right choice
- The task is simple and clearly defined.
- You know exactly what you want and can manage the process.
- You have texts and photos ready.
Risks: one person is a single point of failure. If they get sick or busy, the project stops. Check previous work, agree on terms in writing and make sure the domain and accounts are registered in your name.
When a studio is the right choice
- The website must bring requests, not only exist.
- You need several things at once: design, texts, languages, a Telegram bot, payments, CRM.
- You want a contract with a fixed price and timeline.
- You want support after launch from the same team.
A studio costs more because several specialists work on the project and the studio takes responsibility for the result.
Hidden costs to compare
The cheapest start is not always the cheapest result. Compare the total cost for one year:
- monthly subscription of a builder;
- paid plugins and add-ons;
- your own time for texts, images and updates;
- the cost of fixing or rebuilding later;
- lost requests if the form or contact does not work well.
Three typical situations
A new coffee shop. The owner needs a page with the menu, address and hours before opening next week. Budget is small. A website builder or a simple landing page is enough. Later, when the cafe grows and needs bookings and events, a custom website makes sense.
A dental clinic. It needs service pages with prices, information about doctors, two languages, a booking form that reaches the administrator instantly and good search positions for "dentist in Yerevan". This is a job for a studio, because design, texts, integrations and SEO must work together.
An online shop with 300 products. It needs a catalogue, filters, payments, delivery rules, order notifications and a connection to stock. A builder can work at the start, but integrations and speed become a problem as the shop grows. A studio or an experienced team is the safer choice.
Questions to ask in any case
Whichever option you choose, ask:
- Can I see three live websites you made and test them on my phone?
- How do requests reach me?
- What will the website cost per year after launch?
- What happens if I want to change contractor?
- How do you handle languages and search?
The answers tell you more than any presentation.
Ownership: the question everyone forgets
Whatever you choose, check three things:
- The domain is registered in your name.
- You have admin access to the website and hosting.
- You can move the website or its content if you change contractor.
At Kinto the domain and all accounts are registered in the client's name by default.
A practical middle way
Many businesses start with a focused landing page: one page with the offer, prices, a short form and requests to Telegram. It is fast and affordable, and later it can grow into a multi-page website without starting from zero.
Prices at Kinto
| What | Starting price | Starting timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Landing page | $700 | 6 days |
| Multi-page website | $1,800 | 12 days |
| Online store | $4,000 | 22 days |
| Telegram lead bot | $500 | 4 days |
See all options on pricing. Read also how to choose a web studio in Yerevan.
Key takeaways
- A website builder is the fastest way to test an idea, but it limits design, integrations and growth.
- A freelancer can be a good choice for a small, well-defined page when you are ready to manage the process yourself.
- A studio is worth it when the website must bring requests and connect to Telegram, payments or a CRM.
- Compare the total cost for a year, not only the start price.
- Whatever you choose, keep the domain and admin accounts in your own name.
- If you are unsure, start with a focused landing page and grow it into a full website later without throwing work away.
Not sure which option fits?
Describe your business and your goal in a few lines. We will tell you honestly if a builder is enough for now. Write to @kinto_am on Telegram or leave a request on kinto.am. We reply within 15 minutes between 10:00 and 20:00.
Updated: 2026-10-12