Compare

aibuiltmysite vs a full-service agency

Agencies can cover broad strategy and brand programs; aibuiltmysite offers a narrower website subscription with a private-draft target.

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.

a full-service agency

Where it falls short.

Project pricing varies with scope and team
Timeline depends on discovery, approvals and complexity
Multi-stakeholder approvals slow every decision
Account managers as the comms layer, not builders
Retainer + change-order economics

aibuiltmysite

Where we beat it.

Published subscription pricing for a narrower scope
Standard 72-hour target from usable brief to private draft; complex briefs can take longer
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 want a private first draft on a stated 72-hour target, with timing confirmed for complex briefs
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
Project fee	Request a scoped quote	See current AUD subscription pricing
Timeline	Confirm discovery and delivery plan	Standard 72-hour draft target; complex briefs can take longer
Who you talk to	Confirm the delivery team	Direct support process described on this site
Post-launch edits	Confirm retainer or change-order terms	Check current plan inclusions
Minimum commitment	Confirm contract terms	See current monthly cancellation terms
Suitable for	Broader strategy and custom programs	Defined small-business website scope

Side by side

The full table.

aibuiltmysiteDIY (Wix etc.)Freelance dev

Who prepares the initial build

Our team

You

Confirm with provider

Draft before subscription

Included

Not applicable

Confirm payment terms

Published pricing

$44 / $62 / $107 AUD monthly

Check platform pricing

Quote varies

Ongoing edits included

With an active plan

You manage them

Confirm the scope

Initial copy draft

Included from your brief

You provide it

Confirm the scope

Billing and support

AUD · Mon–Fri AEST

Check platform terms

Confirm with provider

Cancellation

Month to month

Check platform terms

Confirm contract terms

Bottom line

Choose an agency when you need multidisciplinary strategy or a large custom program; choose aibuiltmysite for the defined subscription scope shown on this site.

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.

Send my brief

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