Updated June 2026
Setup Domain vs hiring a freelancer
TL;DR
Freelancers range from $500 (overseas, template) to $5,000+ (US-based, custom). Setup Domain is a fixed $1,200 with a guaranteed 5–7 day turnaround and 30 days of post-launch edits. Freelancers can be cheaper or better, but the variance is huge. We're predictable.
Side-by-side
| Feature | Setup Domain | Hiring a freelancer |
|---|---|---|
| Price range | $1,200 flat | $500–$5,000+ |
| Timeline | 5–7 business days | 2–8 weeks (varies) |
| What's included | Design, copy, GBP, SEO, 30 days edits | Negotiated — often design only |
| Accountability | Company, contracts, refund policy | Individual — varies wildly |
| Communication | Same-day responses | Depends on freelancer's workload |
| Ghost risk | None | Real — biggest small-business complaint |
Setup Domain — strengths
- ✓ Predictable price + timeline
- ✓ Won't ghost you
- ✓ Includes copy + GBP
- ✓ Defined edit policy
Hiring a freelancer — strengths
- ✓ Can be cheaper
- ✓ Can be more bespoke
- ✓ Direct relationship
- ✓ Flexibility on scope
Best for (us)
Owners who want it done without managing a freelancer or pricing it themselves.
Best for (Hiring a freelancer)
Owners with a clear brief, time to vet 5+ candidates, and patience to manage scope creep.
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Get a free audit →Frequently asked
Can a freelancer beat your price?
Yes, especially overseas. Sub-$500 builds are usually templates with placeholder copy. Whether that's a win depends on what you actually need.
What if I already have a freelancer halfway done?
We can finish stalled freelance projects. Most rescues take 2–4 days once we have the existing files.
Why flat-rate instead of hourly?
Hourly punishes you for our slowness. Flat-rate aligns our incentives with yours — finish fast, finish right.