If you've ever asked around for help with a website, you've probably gotten quotes from at least one web agency. The pitch sounds great: a custom design, dedicated project manager, professional copywriting, the works. The number at the bottom is somewhere between $5,000 and $20,000. Then there's hosting and maintenance on top, usually billed separately.
A done-for-you service like JoeHandlesIt looks superficially similar — custom site, professional design, ongoing support. The number at the bottom is $190 a month, no upfront cost.
Same outcome, very different prices. What's actually different?
The agency model is built for project work
Agencies are structured around launching projects. They scope a deliverable, sign a contract, build the thing, and hand it over. That model works great for the launch — you get a polished site that did exactly what was scoped.
The trouble starts the day after.
Agencies are not staffed to handle small ongoing changes. The same designers who designed your hero image charge $150 an hour. So when you want to update your hours, you either:
- Submit a ticket and wait days or weeks for a slot
- Pay a monthly retainer for "maintenance" that you mostly don't use
- Do it yourself in whatever CMS they handed you
- Just leave the site outdated
Most small businesses end up at option four.
The done-for-you model is built for the long term
A done-for-you service is structured the opposite way. Launch is just one moment in a continuous relationship. Updates, changes, performance monitoring, security patches, content additions — all of that is part of the same service, at the same flat monthly rate.
The economics work because the service is built around small businesses with similar needs, sharing infrastructure, and run by a small focused team that knows your site cold.
When an agency makes sense
Agencies are the right choice when:
- You're a larger business with a real marketing department to coordinate with the agency
- You need a deeply custom application — not just a marketing website — that requires months of dedicated engineering
- You have a marketing strategist driving the project and you mainly need execution
If that describes you, hire a great agency. They'll be worth it.
When a done-for-you service makes sense
It's the right choice when:
- You're a small business owner without time to wrangle a project
- You want a great website without an upfront five-figure investment
- You expect to need ongoing changes and don't want to be billed by the hour
- You'd rather email a request than file a ticket
- You want one bill, no surprises
If that describes you, drop us a line. We'll talk through what you need and tell you honestly whether we're the right fit.