Wix, Squarespace, WordPress or a custom build? An honest comparison

We build custom websites and we still tell people, sometimes, that they should use Wix. That is not modesty, it is arithmetic. If the website is a business card and you sell everything over the phone, there is no reason to pay for a custom build.

The comparison

When Wix or Squarespace is right

• A sole trader or small operation where the website is a business card.
• You want to be able to change everything yourself without phoning anyone.
• A project that has to be live this week.
• The budget does not stretch further, which is a perfectly good reason.

The downsides: you are tied to the platform, you cannot move the site elsewhere, and when you outgrow it you start over.

When WordPress is right

• A lot of content that has to go out regularly.
• A need for specific plugins, bookings or memberships for example.
• Somebody in house or outside who takes care of updates and security.

The downside is real: a WordPress site nobody maintains is a security risk. Updates, backups and monitoring need an owner.

When a custom build pays off

• The website is the sales engine and every percentage point of conversion matters.
• You need something no platform does, a calculator, a specialised ordering flow or a connection to your own systems.
• Speed matters, because a custom site can be many times lighter than a template.
• The design itself is part of what you are selling.

The question everyone forgets

Who owns the site afterwards? Before you sign anything, get a clear answer about the domain, the code, the content and access to the hosting. If the answer is vague, the answer is no.

What we do

We build custom sites from scratch and we do not use templates. That is why they are faster and why they do not look like everyone else. If your project does not call for that, we will say so in the first conversation, because that is cheaper for both of us than selling you something you do not need.

Frequently asked questions