Updated September 16, 2026
How the two models work
With a one-time purchase, you pay to have the website built. Once it’s delivered, it’s yours, and you handle hosting, updates and changes yourself — or buy them as separate services.
With a subscription, you pay a fixed monthly price that covers building, hosting, operation and a certain amount of support. There’s typically no or a low setup fee, but you pay for as long as you use the site.
Example calculation over three years
The example is simplified and uses typical market levels. Your own numbers will differ, but it shows where the money goes.
- One-time purchase: DKK 15,000 for the site + DKK 150/mo for hosting (DKK 5,400 over 3 years) + about 3 hours of changes a year at DKK 800 (DKK 7,200) = about DKK 27,600.
- Subscription: DKK 3,995 setup + DKK 299/mo for 36 months (DKK 10,764) = DKK 14,759, with hosting, operation and support included.
- Over 6 years the picture changes: the one-time purchase becomes relatively cheaper because the big expense has been paid. On the other hand, a 6-year-old website is often ready to be rebuilt.
Pros of a subscription
- Low or no upfront cost — good for new businesses.
- A fixed, predictable expense that can be deducted as an operating cost.
- Hosting, security and updates are someone else’s responsibility.
- The site is maintained continuously and can be upgraded without a big new project.
Cons of a subscription
The biggest risk is lock-in. Some providers own the code and design, so you’re left without a website if you cancel. Others have long commitment periods or expensive fees for taking your content with you.
- You pay for as long as you use the site.
- Ownership of the code and design isn’t always included.
- Lock-in can make it expensive to switch.
- Template-based subscriptions can be limited in design.
Which suits whom?
A subscription suits small businesses, freelancers and associations that want a professional site without a big investment and without thinking about technology. A one-time purchase suits businesses with a bigger budget, in-house technical staff or very specific needs, where the site needs to last a long time without major changes.
Questions to ask before choosing a subscription
- How long is the commitment, and what does it cost to cancel early?
- Do I own the domain and the content?
- Can I buy the code or take the site with me if I leave?
- What’s included in support, and what do changes cost?
- Where is the site hosted, and is there a backup?
How Danro does it
Danro’s subscriptions have no setup fee and no lock-in. You pay month to month and can cancel at the end of any month. If you want the code and to host the site yourself, just get in touch, so you’re never locked in.