An honest comparison
ZTech vs DIY builders, freelancers and local agencies
The right choice depends on budget, time and how much looking-after you want. DIY builders are cheapest, budget shops start from about £299, and local agencies typically charge £2,000 to £10,000. ZTech sits in between: £1,195 to £2,250, with care plans from £45/month.
Side by side
Five ways to get a small business website
Prices from other providers are examples with sources, and will change. Check current prices before you decide.
| Option | Price | Design | Who looks after it | Ownership | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIY website builder | A monthly subscription, no design fee. Check the provider's current plans. | A template you adjust yourself. Quality depends on your time and eye. | You do, using the builder's tools. | You own your content; the site usually lives on the builder's platform. | A simple site, a tight budget and time to learn. |
| Budget template shop | From about £299, for example Harris Digital (opens in a new tab). | Template-based with light customisation. | Varies: some offer hosting, some do not. Ask. | Ask before you buy. | A basic online presence at the lowest price. |
| Marketplace freelancer | Varies widely, from very low to high. Get a written quote. | Depends on the person. Look at their past work. | Usually you, unless you pay for ongoing support. | Agree it in writing, including the domain and the code. | A one-off job with a clear brief and a freelancer you trust. |
| Local agency | Typically £2,000 to £10,000 for custom small business sites, per one UK agency (opens in a new tab) and Bark (opens in a new tab) (£2,000 to £7,000). | Custom design, often with a dedicated person. | Usually the agency, on a retainer. Check what is included. | Check the contract for the domain, content and code. | A bigger budget, a face-to-face relationship or complex needs. |
| ZTech | £1,195 for up to 5 pages, £2,250 for 10 pages. Care from £45/month. Published prices, ex VAT. | Custom, built from a tested design system. Design guarantee before development. | ZTech, on a care plan: hosting, backups, updates and monitoring. | You own your domain, content and code. Your domain is registered in your name. | Owners who want a professional site, a fair published price and someone to look after it. |
Prices exclude VAT where VAT applies. Sources opened in a new tab: Harris Digital and Verosite (provider websites), Bark UK web design price guide. Retrieved October 2026.
Straight talk
When another option is the better choice
DIY or a freelancer is right if
- Your budget is very tight and the site is simple
- You enjoy learning the tool and have the time
- You have a clear brief and a freelancer you trust
- You are happy to handle hosting, updates and backups yourself
ZTech is right if
- You want a professional site without managing it
- You like seeing the price before you talk to anyone
- You want to own your domain, content and code
- You want someone to look after it after launch
FAQ
Comparison questions
Is a DIY website builder ever the better choice?
Yes. If you have a very tight budget, a simple need and the time to learn the tool, a DIY builder can be a perfectly good start. You can come to us later when you want a custom design or to stop doing the upkeep yourself.
When is a freelancer a better choice than ZTech?
When you have a clear one-off brief, you have found someone whose work you trust and you are happy to look after the site yourself. Ask for a written agreement that says you own the domain, content and code.
Why is ZTech cheaper than many local agencies?
We publish prices, build from a tested design system and work remotely with short calls and async video, which keeps overheads low. We are not the right choice if you want a face-to-face team on your doorstep.
Who owns my website and domain?
You do. You own your domain, content and code. Your domain is registered in your name. We manage it for you with delegated access, so you can leave at any time and take everything with you.
How much does a small business website cost with ZTech?
ZTech websites start at £1,195 for up to 5 pages, and our recommended 10-page Business website is £2,250. A single landing page is £595 and the Growth package is £3,750. In the US prices start at $1,495 and in the EU at €1,395. Prices exclude VAT where it applies.
Want help choosing?
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