Answer
How do I get a simple, low-cost portfolio website for my small business that I can update myself later?
Use a website builder like Squarespace or Wix, keep it to a few pages, and if a designer sets it up, make sure the account is in your name.
How do I get a simple portfolio website I can update myself?
Pick a hosted website builder, keep the site small and make sure you hold the login. That covers most small businesses that want to show their work.
The part people get wrong is not the design. It is ending up with a site only someone else can change, so every new photo turns into a paid job.
What a simple portfolio site needs
A showcase site for a small business does not need many pages. Most can start with three things:
- What you do: your services, the area you cover and who you work with.
- Your work: photos of past jobs or projects, each with a line or two on what you did.
- How to reach you: phone, email or a contact form, plus your hours.
A short "About" section helps people trust you. Skip a blog, a shop or a members area unless you know you need them.
Older customers often want to look through your work slowly. Large photos, plain text and a phone number they can tap matter more than effects.
Decide who edits it before anyone builds it
"I want to update it myself" is a decision about the platform, not about the designer. Make it first.
A website builder like Squarespace or Wix is made for owners to edit. Both have a drag and drop editor, and hosting is included in their plans.
A custom coded site can look great but often needs a developer for every change. If self editing matters, ask for a builder site or a system you have tried yourself.
What a builder costs
Both main builders list their prices publicly, so you can check them before you talk to anyone.
- Squarespace: the Basic plan is $19 a month on a yearly plan or $25 month to month. There is no free plan, but there is a 14 day free trial.
- Wix: there is a free plan, but it uses a Wix web address and shows Wix branding. The Light plan is listed at $17.77 a month on a yearly plan, and prices vary by location.
Squarespace yearly plans include a free domain for the first year, and most yearly Wix plans include a one year domain voucher. After that first year, you pay for the domain.
For a fuller cost breakdown by route, see how much a website costs for a solo service business.
If a designer builds it, check the handover
Hiring a designer is fine, and it can save you time. Just agree on the handover before work starts.
- The site and its plan are in an account you own, or ownership is transferred to you at the end.
- The domain is registered in your name, or moved with the site.
- You can log in, add a new project, swap a photo and publish without help.
- You know which monthly or yearly fees continue and whose card pays them.
- The designer's access is removed or reduced once the job is done.
Squarespace lets the owner transfer a site to another contributor. The new owner has to accept a contributor invite first, and the transfer also moves attached subscriptions and Squarespace domains.
Wix lets you transfer a site, its plan and its domain to another Wix account. The new owner has to accept within 3 days, and payment details do not move with it.
Lower plans limit how many people can work on a site. Squarespace Basic allows up to 2 contributors and Wix Light allows 2 site collaborators, which is enough for you and one designer.
Keep it easy to update
Set up a simple routine so the site does not go stale. A small habit beats a big redesign later.
- Take a few good photos at the end of each job.
- Add the best ones to your work page every month or two.
- Check your phone number, hours and prices whenever they change.
Also set up a free Google Business Profile. It puts your business on Google Search and Maps, and you can add photos of your work there too.
No builder or designer can promise a set number of customers. A clear site helps people who already found you decide to get in touch.
Comparison
| Route | Best for | Who edits it later | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squarespace, you build it | Owners who want polished templates | You, in the drag and drop editor | No free plan after the 14 day trial |
| Wix, you build it | Owners who want a free start or full layout control | You, in the drag and drop editor | Free plan shows Wix branding and a Wix web address |
| Designer builds on a builder | Owners short on time | You, if the account is handed over | Handover and ownership must be agreed up front |
| Custom coded site | Unusual designs or features | Often a developer | Small changes can mean paid work |
| webmoz | Owners who also want help with the business and weekly posts | You, with each change shown before it goes live | Points based, so heavy image or video use costs more |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a designer for a simple portfolio website?
Not usually. Builders like Squarespace and Wix have templates and a drag and drop editor made for owners.
A designer helps if you are short on time. Make sure the account and domain end up in your name.
Is a free website builder plan good enough for a business?
It is fine for trying things out. Wix has a free plan, but it uses a Wix web address and shows Wix branding.
A paid plan lets you use your own domain and removes the branding.
How do I make sure I can update the site myself?
Ask for the site on a builder you can log in to, in an account you own. Before you pay the final invoice, add a project, swap a photo and publish on your own.
If you can do that without help, you can keep it up to date.
What happens to my site if the designer and I part ways?
If the site sits in their account, you need them to transfer it. Squarespace and Wix both have a transfer process, and you as the new owner must accept it.
Agree on this in writing before work starts.
Sources
- squarespace.comSquarespace pricingBasic plan prices, 14 day trial, no free plan, hosting included, first year free domain on yearly plans, contributor limits
- wix.comWix plansfree plan with Wix branding, Light yearly price in USD, free domain voucher, site collaborators per plan
- support.squarespace.comSquarespace Help Center: change the site ownerhow ownership transfers to another contributor and what moves with it
- support.wix.comWix Help Center: transferring a premium sitetransferring a site, plan and domain to another account, 3 day acceptance, payment details not transferred
- google.comGoogle Business Profilea free profile on Google Search and Maps with photos and reviews
- webmoz.aiwebmoz pricingpoints, 500 free points, no subscription
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