The verdict in three sentences
A DIY SaaS platform (Wix, Squarespace) is unbeatable under a EUR 2,000 budget but hits a ceiling fast on customization and SEO. A freelancer offers the best value between EUR 3,000 and 9,000, at the risk of a bus factor (one person, no backup). An agency justifies its EUR 6,000-18,000 through process, continuity guarantees and structured maintenance: the right call once the site becomes a critical commercial asset.
The three options across 8 criteria
The figures below are 2026 estimates for a professional brochure site (10-20 pages) on the European market.
| Criterion | DIY Platform | Freelancer | Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | EUR 0-500 | EUR 3,000-9,000 | EUR 6,000-18,000 |
| Recurring cost | EUR 15-50/month | EUR 300-1,200/year | EUR 900-3,600/year |
| Delivery time | 1-3 weeks | 4-8 weeks | 6-12 weeks |
| Customization | Low to medium | High | Very high |
| Code ownership | No (lock-in) | Yes | Yes (contract it) |
| Technical SEO | Limited | Good | Excellent |
| Continuity / backup | Vendor | Bus factor risk | Team + process |
| Support SLA | Shared standard | Variable | 4h-48h contractual |
3-year TCO: the real comparison
The upfront quote lies. Over 3 years, include hosting, maintenance, changes and the risk of an early rebuild.
| Line item (3 years) | Platform | Freelancer | Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build | EUR 300 | EUR 6,000 | EUR 12,000 |
| Subscription / hosting | EUR 1,260 | EUR 900 | EUR 1,800 |
| Maintenance / changes | EUR 0 | EUR 2,400 | EUR 6,000 |
| Rebuild / migration risk | EUR 3,000 | EUR 1,500 | EUR 0 |
| 3-year TCO | ~EUR 4,560 | ~EUR 10,800 | ~EUR 19,800 |
| Recommended use case | Test, tiny budget | SMB, standard project | Strategic asset, high growth |
Mini case study
Thomas, who runs an industrial joinery SMB in Rotterdam (14 staff), is torn. His math: on a platform he loses 2 leads/month for lack of optimized service pages, i.e. 24 leads/year at EUR 400 margin = EUR 9,600/year lost. A EUR 6,000 freelance site recovers ~70% of those leads: net gain EUR 6,700 in year one, ROI positive by month 11. He picks the freelancer but contractually demands code ownership and handover documentation to cover the bus factor.
FAQ
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Can a DIY platform be enough for a B2B SMB?
Yes if the site is purely a business card and the budget is under EUR 2,000. Once SEO becomes an acquisition channel, the technical ceiling (structure, speed, markup) costs more in lost leads than the savings.
Is a freelancer really cheaper than an agency?
Upfront, yes: 40-50% less on average (EUR 6,000 vs 12,000). But without a continuity contract, a freelancer's unavailability can freeze your site for weeks. Price that risk.
How do I avoid platform lock-in?
Require content export and check domain portability. Migrating from Wix to a custom site averages EUR 2,000-4,000: plan for it.
Which criterion matters most?
The site's commercial criticality. Below EUR 10,000 of influenced revenue per year, a platform suffices. Above EUR 50,000, an agency pays for itself through SEO and reliability.
Can you combine all three?
Yes: start on a platform to validate the market, then move to freelancer or agency. It's the most cost-efficient path for an uncertain project.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your sector, indicative budget (EUR 5,000-20,000) and target timeline, and we'll tell you honestly which option maximizes your ROI. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
