In this guide6 sections
The two ways to pay for a trade website
- Rent (subscription): little or nothing upfront, then a monthly fee for as long as you want the site. Changes and hosting are usually included.
- Own (one-off build): a fixed price upfront, and the site is yours. Hosting and changes are covered by an optional monthly plan you can cancel.
What it costs over five years
Say a subscription costs £99 a month plus VAT. Over five years that's £5,940 before VAT, and at the end you still don't own a website.
A WebWise Lead Generator build is £1,500 once, with hosting and your domain free for the first year. Add our Care plan at £49 a month from year two for hosting, backups and small changes, and five years comes to £3,852, with a site you own. Choose our Grow plan at £99 a month instead and you get monthly Google posts and content on top.
Neither is automatically cheaper for everyone; it depends on what's included and whether you'd use it. But do the sum before you sign.
Who owns what when you leave
Ask any provider these three questions:
- Is the domain registered in my name?
- If I leave, do I get the website files and content?
- Is there a minimum term or exit fee?
With us: yes, yes, and no. Your domain, code and content are yours from launch day.
When renting makes sense
A subscription can suit you if cash flow is tight right now, you want someone else to handle every change, and you're happy the site isn't an asset you keep. Just make sure the domain is in your name.
When owning makes sense
Owning suits you if you plan to be trading in five years, want the rankings and reviews you build to stay with your business, or might sell the business one day. A website you own is part of what you're selling.
See our fixed website prices and care plans, or book a free 15-minute call and we'll price both options honestly.
