What kinds of businesses does nanushi work with?

nanushi works with businesses of all sizes — from local cafes and retail shops to tech startups and established companies. If you need a website, web app, mobile app, or AI integration, nanushi can help.

How long does a project take?

A simple marketing website can be delivered in 1–2 weeks. A full web application or mobile app typically takes 4–12 weeks depending on scope.

Does nanushi build AI chatbots?

Yes. nanushi builds custom AI assistants and chatbots using Claude (Anthropic) and OpenAI. These can be integrated into websites, mobile apps, or internal business tools.

Where is nanushi based?

nanushi is based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The team works remotely and serves clients globally.

What is a nanushi mission?

A mission is a 6-week collaborative React Native app-building challenge. Teams of developers work together to ship a real, production-quality mobile app.

freelancer vs agency vs diy: how to choose for your website

every business eventually faces this decision: who builds the website? the three main paths — doing it yourself, hiring a freelancer, or working with an agency — each have real advantages and real drawbacks. the right choice depends on your budget, timeline, technical comfort, and what you actually need the site to do.

here's an honest breakdown.

the diy path

platforms like squarespace, wix, and shopify have made it genuinely possible for non-technical people to build a presentable website. if your needs are straightforward — a service page, an about page, a contact form, maybe a blog — and you're willing to invest the time, diy is a legitimate option.

when it makes sense:

you're pre-revenue or very early stage and every dollar matters
your site is simple and informational (no complex features)
you're comfortable spending 20–40 hours on the project
you expect to update content frequently and want full control

the real costs: monthly platform fees add up ($20–$60/month indefinitely). your time has value, even if it doesn't feel like a cash outlay. and most diy sites have a ceiling — they look fine, but they can rarely compete on performance or customization with a properly built site.

the hidden risk: many business owners spend 30 hours building their own site, end up with something they're not proud of, and then pay a developer to rebuild it anyway. if you're going to hire someone eventually, sometimes it's cheaper to hire them first.

the freelancer path

the freelance market for web development is huge and spans an enormous range of quality and price. a freelancer is an individual — usually working independently, often with lower overhead than an agency — who builds sites for clients.

when it makes sense:

you have a defined scope and budget ($1,500–$8,000 for most small business sites)
you don't need ongoing support from a large team
you've found someone whose portfolio matches what you're looking for
you're comfortable managing the relationship yourself

what to look for: a strong portfolio with sites similar to yours, a clear process and contract, references you can actually contact, and some indication they'll still be reachable in a year. the freelance space has a higher variance in quality than agencies — exceptional freelancers exist, as do people who disappear after deposit.

the real costs: a good freelancer charges $50–$150/hour in the canadian market. project-based rates for a complete small business site typically run $2,000–$6,000. expect limited bandwidth if they're busy, and plan for the fact that you may need someone else when they're unavailable.

the agency path

an agency is a team — typically a mix of designers, developers, project managers, and strategists. agencies bring structured processes, multiple skill sets under one roof, and usually a more reliable delivery experience.

when it makes sense:

your project has real complexity (custom features, integrations, large scale)
you want a strategic partner, not just an executor
you need ongoing support and reliability post-launch
your business depends heavily on the website performing well

the real costs: agencies cost more than freelancers, generally starting at $5,000–$8,000 for a simple site and climbing quickly for complex work. the premium buys you process, accountability, and a team with complementary skills.

what to watch for: not all agencies are created equal. a large agency billing enterprise rates isn't automatically better than a small specialized team. look for agencies whose portfolio includes work at your scale, who are transparent about pricing, and who explain their process clearly.

a framework for deciding

under $3,000 budget: diy or a carefully vetted freelancer. scope accordingly — don't try to build something complex at this budget.

$3,000–$10,000 budget: freelancer or small agency. this is a good range for a quality small business site with proper design and development.

$10,000+ or complex requirements: agency. you need a team, a process, and a partner for something at this scale.

also consider: how important is this site to your business? if it's the primary way customers find and evaluate you, invest accordingly. if it's a supplement to other channels, scope down.

a note on false economies

the cheapest option is rarely the cheapest outcome. a $500 site that doesn't convert costs you in missed leads every month. a freelancer who disappears mid-project costs you time and rebuild fees. factor in the full cost, not just the invoice.

nanushi operates as a small, focused agency working with businesses in ottawa and across canada. if you'd like to compare options for your specific project, we're happy to have that conversation honestly — even if the right answer for you turns out to be someone else.