Use case · Buying vs renting a website
Buy, rent-to-own or rent a website? Choose the model that fits your business.
We live in a subscription economy. Phones, software, even cars are paid for monthly. A website can work that way too, but that doesn't mean every business should rent one.
Bunnypants Studio designs and builds custom websites that businesses own. For businesses that aren't ready for that investment, our separate brand Rent A Website offers two monthly alternatives: Rent To Own and Rent Only. The same Bunnypants team works on all three. This guide explains how they differ and which one fits your stage.
Where we stand
A custom-designed website is still how we prefer to work.
For 21 years, Bunnypants Studio has built websites around each client's brief, brand and functionality. When the budget allows, it's the route we recommend every time, because it gives a business the most strategy, design time and control.
The rental options exist because we kept meeting good businesses that couldn't justify a full once-off build yet. Rather than discount our studio work, we packaged our team's skills differently under Rent A Website.
The three models
One team. Three commercial models.
The biggest difference isn't design quality. It's how you pay, when the website becomes yours, how much you can change yourself, and how much functionality you need.
Our preferred route
Buy it
Custom Bunnypants website
Designed around your business. Yours from day one.
From R8 980
Once-off, excl. VAT
- Up to 2 custom designs to choose from
- Backend access and editing training
- Any functionality, from shops to bookings, e-learning and custom systems
- Hosting, maintenance and SEO chosen separately
Pay it off
Rent To Own
Spread the build over 24 months. Then it's yours.
From R800/mo
+ R3 500 activation, no VAT added
- Static website, catalogue, quote cart or online shop
- Hosting and Care+ included during the term
- Editor and Shop Manager access on system websites
- Ownership after the 24-month term and agreed payments
Rent it
Rent Only
A managed website on a monthly fee.
From R480/mo
+ R1 980 activation, no VAT added
- Professionally designed business website
- Hosting, Care+ and 30 min of changes a month included
- No backend to manage: send requests, we update
- Never transfers ownership
Side by side
The important differences, without the jargon.
Prices are starting points. Rent A Website prices come from its live planners, which are always the most current source.
What renting really means
Affordable because of the model. Not because it's a cheapie.
"Rent a website" can mean very different things online. Here's what it doesn't mean with us. Rental websites are designed by people, art-directed around your brand, and set up with basic on-page SEO. We use AI build tools to work faster, but a trained designer decides how your business comes across.
It's not a DIY builder
With Wix-style tools you rent software and do the building yourself. With Rent A Website you get a finished website built by our team.
It's not "rank and rent"
You're not renting leads from someone else's website. Your website is built for your business, under your name.
It's not a template
Each website is designed around your colours, images and tone. AI speeds up the build; it doesn't replace design judgement.
Rent Only isn't rent-to-own
Rent Only never transfers ownership. If you want to own the website at the end, choose Rent To Own instead.
Three example businesses
Three businesses. Three different answers.
These are illustrative examples, not real clients. They show how the same question gets a different answer depending on a business's stage, budget and needs.
Example 01
A new bookkeeping practice
Just launched from home. Needs a credible four-page website this month, has no time to learn WordPress, and every rand of cash flow counts. Not VAT registered yet.
Our adviceRent Only
A managed website for a predictable monthly fee, with no VAT added and nothing to maintain. When the practice grows, a custom build is the next step.
Example 02
A growing décor shop
Selling well through Instagram and markets. Wants its own online store with payments and courier setup, and wants to own it, but can't fund a full custom build right now.
Our adviceRent To Own eCommerce
A full online shop for an activation fee and 24 monthly payments, with Shop Manager access to run it day to day. After 24 months, the shop is theirs.
Example 03
An established engineering firm
Twelve years in business. Needs a custom quote system, product data from their supplier, and a website that reflects a serious brand. Budget is set aside for it.
Our adviceCustom Bunnypants website
Bespoke functionality, a scope shaped around the business, and ownership from launch. This is exactly what custom work is for.
Which route suits you?
Choose by how you want to run the website, not just by the first invoice.
Choose a custom website if…
- You can invest in the build upfront
- You want to own it from launch day
- Your team will manage content themselves
- You need bespoke functionality or integrations
- Your scope doesn't fit a package
Choose Rent To Own if…
- You want to own your website eventually
- A large upfront payment isn't practical yet
- You need a catalogue, quote cart or online shop
- You're happy to work within a defined scope
- A 24-month term suits your planning
Choose Rent Only if…
- Cash flow matters most right now
- You don't need to own the website
- You'd rather we handled every update
- A static business website is enough
- You prefer one predictable monthly cost
Still not sure? Tell us what the website needs to do, how you want to pay and how much control you want afterwards. If a rental fits better, we'll point you to Rent A Website. If the project needs a custom build, we'll keep it with Bunnypants.
Ownership and agreements
Know what you're signing before the build begins.
Each model handles ownership differently, so it's worth being clear upfront. Rental terms are set by three documents: your accepted quotation, your signed rental agreement, and the Rent A Website trust agreement.
Your content stays yours
On every model, your business name, logo, copy, photos and product information remain your material.
Your existing domain stays yours
A domain you already own is simply pointed at the new website. Domains registered through a rental module are covered by your agreement.
Rent Only stays managed
Completing 24 months doesn't transfer a Rent Only website. It continues as a managed service month-to-month.
Rent To Own transfers
Ownership moves to you after the 24-month term and agreed payments. Advanced module licences keep their own renewal fees.
Custom is yours from launch
A Bunnypants custom website is your website from day one. Ongoing services are whatever you choose to keep.
There's always a way up
Outgrown a rental? Bunnypants can quote a custom build that carries your content and design direction forward.
Is renting a website cheaper than buying one?
It's cheaper to get started, because you don't pay the full build cost upfront. Over several years, Rent Only usually costs more than buying once-off, because the monthly fee also covers an ongoing managed service. Rent To Own spreads the build cost over 24 months, after which you pay only for the services you keep. A custom build costs the most upfront, but you pay for the build only once.
Why does Bunnypants recommend a custom website first?
Because it gives your business the most: more design time, a scope built around you, full control and ownership from launch. The rental options are good alternatives when that upfront investment isn't practical yet, not replacements for custom work.
What's the difference between Rent To Own and Rent Only?
Rent To Own transfers ownership to you after the 24-month term and agreed payments, covers catalogues, quote carts and online shops, and includes training to run the site, with Editor and Shop Manager access on system websites. Rent Only never transfers ownership; it's a fully managed service where our team makes your changes.
Is VAT charged on rental websites?
No. Rent A Website is billed through our sister company, BP Online Solutions (Pty) Ltd, which isn't VAT registered. Bunnypants custom websites are quoted excluding VAT, and VAT is added to quotes and invoices.
Who designs and builds rental websites?
The Bunnypants team: the same trained designers, developers, SEO specialists and project managers who work on our custom projects. Rent A Website is packaged differently, not staffed differently.
Can I start with a rental and move to a custom website later?
Yes. A rental website doesn't convert automatically, but Bunnypants can quote a custom build and carry your content and design direction forward so you don't start from zero. Your rental agreement still applies during its term.
Which option suits an online shop?
Rent To Own includes an eCommerce Store package with payments, courier setup and order management. For a complex shop with custom rules, integrations or a large catalogue, a custom Bunnypants build is the better fit. Rent Only doesn't include online shops.
Is SEO included?
Every model includes basic on-page SEO setup. Ongoing monthly SEO is optional on all three, and is handled by the same specialists behind our AI SEO services. Nobody can honestly guarantee rankings.
Can my existing website move onto a rental plan?
Usually, yes. The team rebuilds it inside the rental framework, using your existing content and structure as the starting point, rather than copying the old site across unchanged.
Your next step
Buy it, pay it off or rent it. Start with the right conversation.
If a custom website is within reach, start with Bunnypants. It's still our first recommendation. If you'd rather spread the cost or rent the service, use the Rent A Website planners to see real numbers before you commit.
Prefer to talk first? Send us a message below or WhatsApp +27 73 843 2381. Rent A Website is a managed website service billed through BP Online Solutions (Pty) Ltd. Bunnypants Studio remains the custom website route.