This is the question I get asked more than anything: "Should I just use Wix or Squarespace, or do I actually need to hire someone to build my website?"
The honest answer: it depends. And I say that as someone who builds custom websites for a living. There are situations where a website builder makes perfect sense. There are situations where it will hold you back. Let me break it down.
When a Website Builder Makes Sense
Website builders like Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify are genuinely good tools for certain situations:
- You are just starting out and need something up fast with minimal budget
- Your site is primarily informational (a few pages about your business)
- You are comfortable with technology and enjoy building things yourself
- You need a simple online store with standard e-commerce features
- You want to manage all your own content without asking anyone for help
If this describes your situation, a website builder at $15 to $40 per month might be all you need. No shame in that. A good Squarespace site beats a bad custom site every time.
When a Website Builder Falls Short
Here is where I see business owners get frustrated with builders:
You Hit the Template Wall
Every builder gives you templates. Templates look great in the demo. Then you try to make them fit YOUR business and realize the layout does not quite work, the sections are not in the right order, and that one feature you really need is not supported. You spend hours trying to force the template to do something it was not designed for.
Performance Suffers
Website builders add a lot of code behind the scenes. Code you do not see, do not need, but your visitors' browsers have to download. I have tested Wix and Squarespace sites that load 3 to 5 times slower than a custom-built equivalent. Speed directly affects whether people stay on your site and how Google ranks you.
You Cannot Do Custom Functionality
Need a booking system that works a specific way? A custom calculator? A client portal? Integration with a specific tool your business uses? Builders have plugins and integrations, but they are generic. If your workflow is specific, you will keep running into limitations.
You Do Not Actually Own It
This surprises people. With most website builders, you are renting. Stop paying the monthly fee and your site disappears. You cannot take your Squarespace site and move it to a different host. You are locked into their platform, their pricing, and their decisions about features.
What Custom-Built Gets You
- A site designed specifically for your business, not adapted from a template
- Faster load times (better for customers and Google rankings)
- Custom features built exactly how you need them
- You own the code and can host it anywhere
- Better security (no plugin vulnerabilities)
- A developer who understands your business and can make changes as you grow
The Cost Comparison
Let me be honest about the numbers.
A website builder costs roughly $20 to $50 per month. Over 3 years, that is $720 to $1,800. Plus your time building and maintaining it.
A custom website from a freelance developer (like me) starts around $1,500. Hosting runs about $200 per year. Over 3 years, that is roughly $2,100. But you get a site built specifically for your business by someone whose job it is to make websites that work.
The gap is smaller than most people think. And the custom site will almost certainly perform better, look more professional, and require less of your time.
My Honest Recommendation
If you are a solo freelancer or just testing a business idea, start with a builder. You can always upgrade later.
If you are an established business (or getting there), if your website is part of how customers find and trust you, or if you need anything beyond basic pages and a contact form, custom is worth the investment.
If you are not sure which camp you fall into, send me a message. I will ask about your business and give you an honest answer, even if that answer is "use Squarespace for now." I would rather help you make the right choice than sell you something you do not need.