Thanks to advances in AI and no-code tools, we’ve now entered an era where anyone can build their own website without specialized knowledge.
On the other hand, the cost of having a website created by professionals is trending upward rather than downward. With options available that promise “free and quick” solutions, why are more and more people choosing to invest a significant amount of money in hiring a web design agency?
The reason is that modern web development offers value that goes beyond simply “building a website.”
AI & No-Code vs. a Web Design Agency: The Right Choice Depends on “Time and Circumstances”
To put it simply, there is no single “right” answer. What matters is a case-by-case judgment based on “which option best fits your business right now.”
Creating a website with AI or no-code tools can be a powerful ally when you “want to quickly and inexpensively set up a website to serve as a business card” or when you’re in a phase where, even with design limitations, you “want to manage and handle everything yourself.”
In contrast, the biggest benefit of hiring a web design agency goes beyond simply “creating the visual appearance.”
- Expertise: In addition to
high-quality design, they can build “invisible but crucial foundations”—such as security, digital literacy, and accessibility—from a professional perspective. - Unique Added Value
Above all, the greatest benefit lies in the ability to incorporate the agency’s “unique philosophy and areas of expertise” into your own business.
For example, what we value most is a design that imbues every single word with meaning through “dialogue”—something AI cannot replicate.
Beyond “Creation”: Production Companies with Diversifying Expertise
There is a clear reason for the “upward trend in production fees” mentioned at the beginning. It is because the number of companies that simply “bring websites to life” is decreasing, while the number of production companies offering other forms of added value (expertise) is increasing.
Conversely, it’s fair to say that production companies whose strength lay in “just building” at low cost have entered an era where their very raison d’être is being questioned—and where they may be phased out—due to the rise of AI and no-code tools.
Today’s web design agencies, while centered on website development, possess a wide variety of specializations.
- Social media management and web marketing
- Video production and still photography
- Branding—collaboratively shaping the core of a brand
- Comprehensive design, including logos and business cards
Precisely because there are now more options, the criteria for “how to choose”—which is even more important than “what they can do”—are changing.
What We Want You to Prioritize Most When Choosing a Production Company
In today’s diverse landscape, the most important factor in choosing a production company is actually how well you click with the person in charge.
Website development takes at least three months, and when you include ongoing maintenance and consulting, it becomes a long-term partnership that can last several years. If the professional skills are on par, the next factor is a sense of trust—specifically, whether you feel you can move forward together with this person.
When choosing a production company, start by checking out the company’s own website.
- Did the design and wording resonate with you?
- Did you intuitively feel, “I’d like to consult with this person”?
If so, go ahead and sign up for a free consultation. During the consultation, while it’s important to review their track record and areas of expertise, be sure to get a feel for whether they’ll carefully listen to your vision and if your values align.
Building a website with AI or no-code tools isn’t free either
If you use AI, you’ll incur server and domain (website address) fees. If you use a
no-code tool, you’ll incur domain and optional feature fees.
Even if you hire a web design agency, you’ll still incur server and domain fees; when creating a company website, neither AI nor no-code tools are free.
If a web design agency claims there are no domain or server fees, be sure to verify this. In some cases, if you sign a monthly contract and then cancel it, your website may be deleted. The files on the server and the domain are assets, so make sure you retain ownership of them.
AI and no-code tools are by no means “free”
People often assume that “if you build it yourself, it’s free,” but maintaining a website inevitably incurs ongoing costs.
- If created with AI: You’ll incur monthly or annual costs for server fees to host the site and for a custom domain (the site’s address).
- When using no-code tools: In addition to the tool’s usage fee, selecting “paid plans (options)”—such as setting up a custom domain or hiding ads—typically costs several thousand yen per month.
Even if you hire a web design agency, these maintenance costs (actual expenses) will still apply. In other words, no matter which method you choose, the fact remains that “as long as you’re running a website as a business, it’s not free.”
If You Hire a Web Design Agency, Be Sure to Confirm “Ownership”
There is one important point to keep in mind here. Some web design agencies use a contract model where “the initial setup fee is free (or very low), but a monthly maintenance fee is charged.”
Of course, this is fine as long as it’s a legitimate maintenance service, but you should be wary of contracts where “the website disappears the moment you cancel the service.”
- The programs (files) stored on the server
- The domain name (your web address) you’ve built up
These are valuable “assets” for your business.
When hiring a web design company, be sure to confirm who owns the server and the domain.
If you’re unsure, please feel free to consult with us first.
So far, we’ve discussed the characteristics of AI and no-code tools versus web design agencies, their costs, and how to view these elements as “assets.”
Ultimately, there is no single “right” answer. What matters is which choice feels best for your business right now and will lead to a brighter future.
If, even after reading this article, you’re still unsure which option to choose, start by consulting a web development agency that interests you.
- “I tried building it myself, but something just doesn’t feel right.”
- “I’m not even sure if this is big enough to warrant hiring a pro”
- “I don’t even know what I don’t know.”
It’s okay if your thoughts are still a bit vague.
Part of a production professional’s job is to listen to your “concerns” before they take shape. Just because you consult with them doesn’t mean you have to hire them.
Just by talking to someone, you’ll surely begin to see what works best for you.
May that first step serve as a vital catalyst for growing your business even further.
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