a full-service agency
Where it falls short.
- $15k–$80k all-in projects
- 8–14 weeks to live, sometimes longer
- Multi-stakeholder approvals slow every decision
- Account managers as the comms layer, not builders
- Retainer + change-order economics
Compare
aibuiltmysite vs a full-service agency
Agencies are great for $50k brand systems. They’re overkill for a small business that just needs a working site by Friday.
The context
Most Australian small businesses comparing website options are weighing three things: time, money, and how much they want to be involved in building the site. a full-service agency is one answer to that question. We are another. The comparison below is not a marketing exercise — it is a genuine breakdown of where each option makes sense, with real numbers.
We built this page because we lose clients to a full-service agency sometimes, and that is fine. We would rather tell you honestly when we are the wrong choice than oversell and disappoint. If you are still reading, you probably want the full picture.
aibuiltmysite
Where we beat it.
- Sub-$1k year one — same quality output, no agency overhead
- 72 hours from brief to live draft
- You talk to the person building it
- Two free revision rounds baked in
- No retainer minimums; cancel any month
Honest verdict
When a full-service agency wins. When we win.
We are not right for every situation. Neither are they. Here is the honest breakdown.
a full-service agency is the better pick when...
- You have a $30k+ budget and need a full brand system, not just a website
- You are a large organisation that needs multi-stakeholder sign-off and a formal procurement process
- You need specialised disciplines (strategy, research, brand identity, animation) under one roof
- The website is one deliverable in a broader brand or digital transformation programme
We are the better pick when...
- You need a result this week, not this quarter
- You want to talk to the person building it, not an account manager
- Your budget is under $1,000 for year one
- You need a fast, conversion-focused site, not a brand strategy deliverable
- You want to cancel any month — no retainer, no lock-in, no change-order economics
Real numbers
The comparison that actually matters.
These are the figures that determine whether the choice makes sense for a small business in Australia.
| Metric | a full-service agency | aibuiltmysite |
|---|---|---|
| Typical project fee (AUD) | $15,000–$80,000+ | $528–$744 year one |
| Time to live site | 8–16 weeks including discovery phase | 72 hours to draft |
| Who you talk to | Account manager, then briefed to a builder | Directly to the builder |
| Post-launch edits | Retainer or change-order economics | Included monthly, no cap |
| Minimum commitment | Project scope, often 50% deposit | Month-to-month, no deposit |
| Suitable for | Rebrands, $50k+ marketing budgets, large teams | Small business, single site, fast result |
Side by side
The full table.
aibuiltmysiteDIY (Wix etc.)Freelance dev
First draft built before you pay
Yes — every project
No
No — deposit required
Time to live site
72 hours
Weeks of your time
4-6 weeks
Total cost in year 1
$528 — $744
$300+ subscription + your weekend
$3,000 — $8,000+
Ongoing edits included
Yes
DIY
Hourly rate
Conversion-tested copy
Written for you
Your job
Often extra
AU-based, Stripe-secure
Yes
Varies
Varies
Cancel anytime
Yes
Yes
No
Bottom line
Agencies are right for big brands. For small businesses, we’re the third option that doesn’t exist anywhere else.
For most Australian small businesses — a plumber in Newcastle, a cafe in Marrickville, a salon in Parramatta — the decision comes down to whether you want to spend your own time on the website or have it done for you. If you want it done, we are faster and cheaper than a freelancer or agency. If you want to do it yourself and you have the time, a full-service agency is a reasonable choice.
What we offer that no other option does: you see the full, live site before you pay a cent. No deposit. No card on file. If the draft is not right after two rounds of revisions, we expire the link and part ways. That is the offer. See the draft and decide.
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