The real risk with each
- Freelancer: they get busy, sick, or take a full-time job, and your site has no one looking after it.
- Agency: the person who sold you isn't the one who builds it, and small clients get the junior team.
Questions to ask either
- Who will actually do the work?
- Will the domain, hosting and site be in my name?
- What happens after launch, and what does a change cost?
- Can I talk to two clients whose sites you built last year?
A middle path
Small studios of two or three people often give you a named person plus cover when they're away. Ask how they handle holidays and handovers.
Check their past work properly
- Open three sites they built on your phone. Do they load fast and read well?
- Submit a contact form on one. Does it work?
- Search each business's name. Does the site show up?
- Look at the footer year and the blog. Are the sites still kept up?
The handover at launch
Whoever builds the site, get these before the final payment:
- Domain registrar login, in your name.
- Hosting account login, or a written note of who hosts it and how to move it.
- Admin login for the website itself.
- Access to Google Analytics and Search Console as an owner.
- A copy of the files, photos and any custom code.
Questions
Where do I find a good freelancer?
Ask local businesses whose sites you like who built them. Referrals beat marketplaces.
Should I pay upfront?
A deposit is normal. Pay the rest in stages tied to delivered work.
Who writes the content?
Agree this before signing. Many projects stall waiting for copy.
What if a freelancer disappears mid-project?
With the domain and hosting in your name and work paid in stages, another builder can pick it up.
Can an agency be cheaper than a freelancer?
Sometimes, for template-based packages. Compare what's included, not the label.
About the author
Jason Murphy, Founder
Jason has spent two decades building sites, search programs, and digital products for businesses. At Lehvel, he leads product and strategy.
Jason Murphy on LinkedIn