Guide · 5 min read · updated
Wix or a custom site: a straight comparison
When a website builder like Wix or Squarespace is right, when a custom site is, and what moving between them involves. Get a fixed quote to compare.
Website builders are good products. For many people they are the right answer. This guide is about telling the two cases apart without a sales pitch.
When a builder is the right call
- You enjoy doing it yourself and have the time.
- You change the site often and want to do it without asking anyone.
- The site is simple and speed is not a problem today.
- You are fine with a monthly subscription tied to one platform.
When a custom site is worth it
- The site is slow on phones and you can see it in the numbers. The Core Web Vitals guide explains which numbers matter.
- You have outgrown the templates: the layout fights what you want to say.
- You want to own the code and be able to move hosts without rebuilding.
- You would rather pay someone to handle it than spend evenings on it.
The trade-offs, side by side
| Builder | Custom | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low | Fixed project price |
| Monthly cost | Platform subscription | Hosting or a care plan |
| Who edits | You | You or the studio, depending on setup |
| Speed | Depends on template and apps | Built for it from the start |
| Moving away | Usually a rebuild | Move the code to another host |
What moving off a builder involves
The risky part of a move is not the design. It is the URLs. Search engines and old links know your current addresses. A careful move lists every existing URL, maps each one to its new address, and adds redirects so nothing breaks. Then the content is moved, images are optimised, and the domain is switched over with a plan for no downtime.
That is what our Redesign package does, at $1,580 (no VAT charged) for up to 10 pages. If you are unsure whether moving is worth it, book a meeting and we will look at your current site with you.