Wix or Squarespace vs a Web Designer
An honest comparison for small businesses. Website builders are the right answer for some — here's how to tell which you are.
| Wix / Squarespace | A web designer | |
|---|---|---|
| Who builds it | You do, from a template | Done for you, around your business |
| Your time | Evenings and weekends learning the tools | A conversation and some photos |
| Design | Looks like other sites on the same template | Designed for you |
| Google and AI search | Basic settings — the rest is up to you | Set up properly from day one |
| Owning your site | Wix sites can't be moved to another host; Squarespace exports only part of a site | You own the website and the domain |
| Cost over time | A monthly plan, plus paid apps and your time | A free, fixed quote, then ongoing maintenance catered for |
| When something breaks | Help articles and support tickets | You ring the person who built it |
When a website builder is right
- You enjoy doing it yourself and have the time
- It's a hobby or a very early idea you're testing
- You only need a single simple page
If that's you, a builder is a sensible choice — and we'll happily tell you so.
When a web designer is right
- The website needs to bring in customers, not just exist
- You'd rather spend your time running your business
- You need bookings, payments, a shop or something bespoke
- You want someone to ring when something goes wrong
Already on Wix or Squarespace?
Because Wix won't let you take your site elsewhere, moving means rebuilding it — and we can do that for you, keeping your domain name and the words and photos that work. You get a free, fixed quote first.
Questions people ask
Is a web designer more expensive than Wix?
Up front, usually yes. Over time the gap narrows once you add the builder's monthly plan, paid apps and your own hours — and a designed site is usually better at bringing customers in. You get a free, fixed quote so you can compare properly.
Can you move my Wix website?
Wix doesn't let you move a site to another host, so we rebuild it — keeping your domain name and your best content.
Can I still edit a designed website myself?
Yes. We can build it so you can edit it, and show you how — or make the changes for you.