A free template
Best for: people who are comfortable editing HTML, or willing to learn, and want full control at low cost.
- The template itself is free; you pay for hosting and a domain.
- You own every file and can move hosts any time.
- Sites are fast, because they are plain HTML.
- You need to edit code for changes, and forms need a separate service.
A website builder
Best for: people who want to drag and drop, edit from a browser and never touch code.
- You pay a monthly subscription that includes hosting.
- Templates are designed for that builder, and changes happen in a visual editor.
- Moving to another platform later can mean rebuilding.
Hiring a designer or developer
Best for: businesses that need a custom design, complex features or simply no time.
- The cost is higher and depends on scope.
- You get a site built around your brand and goals.
- Ask who owns the files and how updates will work after launch.
A middle path
Many designers start from a good template and customize it, which saves budget. If you hire someone, you can send them a template you like from this site as a starting point.
Decide in one minute
- No time and no interest in code: a website builder or a designer.
- Some time and a little curiosity: a template, plus our customizing guide.
- A specific design in mind and budget: a designer, maybe starting from a template.
