A website builder bundles templates, hosting and an editor, and suits sites whose needs match its tools. A custom-built site is planned around the business, and suits sites that need logins, listings or integrations a builder would stretch to handle.
If the site is a handful of pages, a booking tool and a contact form, a builder may do the job well and keep running costs predictable.
Check the jobs your site must do against the builder's own features before committing; our platform fit pages list them by industry.
Custom builds make sense when the site has to connect to your systems, show listings, run a client area or load fast on every page.
The trade-off is that changes beyond content need a developer, so plan who will make them.
| Criterion | Website builder | Custom-built website |
|---|---|---|
| Getting started[1][2] | Templates, hosting and the editor come together on one plan. | The design and features are planned and built for the business. |
| Features[3][4][5] | Limited to the builder's tools and add-ons, such as Wix's own booking and store apps. | Built or connected for the project, such as member logins handled with an authentication library. |
| Changes beyond content[6] | Limited to what the template and blocks allow; custom code is restricted, such as code injection on some plans. | Anything can change, but structural changes need a developer. |
| Speed[7] | Depends on the platform and the template chosen. | Each page can be tuned, and Core Web Vitals measure the result. |
| Moving away later[8][9][10] | Exports vary: Squarespace exports part of a site, and Wix blog posts do not export to other platforms. | The code can be deployed to several kinds of hosting. |
Yes, but what comes across depends on the builder's export. Squarespace exports part of a site, and Wix blog posts do not export to other platforms.[8][9]
Yes. We customise and improve existing Squarespace and Wix sites, build on Webflow, WordPress and Shopify, and build custom sites with Next.js.
Your website, fully managed — no big upfront cost.
We design, build, host, maintain and keep improving your site for one simple monthly fee.
A one-off custom build you own outright.
A defined scope and a single fixed quote — delivered once, and yours to keep.
Get a free, no-obligation quote for your project. We respond within 24 hours.