WIX VS SQUARESPACE VS CUSTOM WEBSITE: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

You're looking at Wix, Squarespace, or getting a custom website built. All three can work. None of them are perfect for everyone.

Wix — Best if you want full control over design and are happy fiddling with drag-and-drop editors. Lots of features, but can get messy fast.

Squarespace — Best if you want something that looks good out of the box and don't need much customisation. Clean, simple, polished.

Custom website — Best if you want something purpose-built for your business, fast loading, no bloat, and total ownership of your code.

Now let's break it down properly.

Here's the side-by-side. Everything you actually need to know about Wix vs Squarespace vs custom websites.

Let's dig into each option.

Wix has been around forever. It's popular because it's easy to get started and there are templates for everything.

The Good:

• Drag-and-drop is genuinely easy once you get the hang of it
• Hundreds of templates to choose from
• Loads of apps and integrations
• You can build something in a day

The Bad:

• Sites can be slow. Really slow. Wix loads a lot of code you don't need.
• Design freedom can be a trap — easy to make something that looks messy
• You're locked into Wix. Can't export your site and take it elsewhere.
• Pricing adds up fast once you add features
• SEO is decent but not great — lots of unnecessary code can hurt rankings

Who It's For:

Wix works if you're testing an idea, building a hobby site, or just need something online fast and don't care about performance. It's also fine if you genuinely enjoy tinkering with drag-and-drop editors.

If you're a local business relying on your website to bring in customers? I'd skip it. Speed matters. First impressions matter. Wix can feel clunky.

Squarespace is the polished option. It looks good out of the box and doesn't try to do everything.

The Good:

• Templates are genuinely beautiful and modern
• Cleaner, simpler interface than Wix
• Better performance than Wix (though still not as fast as custom)
• Great for portfolios, photographers, creatives
• Built-in e-commerce that actually works

The Bad:

• Less flexible than Wix — you're working within tighter guardrails
• More expensive than Wix for similar features
• Still locked in — can't export and move your site
• Customer support can be hit or miss
• Not as many integrations as Wix

Who It's For:

Squarespace is great if you value aesthetics and want something clean without fussing over every pixel. If you're a creative, consultant, or running a simple online store, it's a solid choice.

Where it falls short is when you need something specific that doesn't fit their templates. Custom functionality? Forget it. You're working within their system.

This is what I build. Clean, fast, custom HTML websites. No platform, no bloat, no monthly fees to a website builder.

The Good:

• Built exactly for your business — no generic templates
• Fast loading. Like, genuinely fast. No unnecessary code.
• Better SEO — clean code, proper structure, optimised for Google
• You own everything. Code, design, files. Take it anywhere.
• No platform lock-in. You're not trapped paying Wix or Squarespace forever.
• Ongoing costs are just hosting ($30–$50/month), not platform fees

The Bad:

• Upfront cost. $495–$795 to build. That's real money.
• You need someone to build it (that's me, or another developer)
• Not as easy to update yourself — though I build things so you can edit the basics
• Takes a bit longer to build than clicking "Publish" on a template

Who It's For:

Custom websites are for businesses that are serious about their online presence. If your website is a tool to get customers — not just a nice-to-have — this is the option.

Local service businesses, tradies, cafes, shops, consultants — anyone who needs a site that works hard and doesn't slow down. My custom sites load in under 2 seconds, rank well on Google, and look professional without feeling generic.

If you're comparing Wix and Squarespace, you probably already know their limitations. That's why you're here.

This isn't about which platform is "better." It's about what you actually need.

Do you need a website right now, for free, to test an idea? Use Wix or Squarespace. Seriously. Get something online and see if it works.

Do you want something that looks good and you're happy to DIY it? Squarespace is probably your best bet. It's the most user-friendly option that still looks professional.

Do you want a website that actually performs? That loads fast, ranks on Google, and looks purpose-built for your business? That's when you need a custom site.

I'm not here to trash Wix or Squarespace. They serve a purpose. But if you're a business owner who wants a website that works as hard as you do, the DIY website builders aren't the answer.

You can read more about DIY builders vs hiring a developer if you're still on the fence.

Here's my honest take after building dozens of websites for businesses across Gippsland and regional Victoria.

Use Wix if:

• You're testing a business idea and don't want to spend money yet
• You're building a personal blog or hobby site
• You enjoy tinkering and don't mind a learning curve

Use Squarespace if:

• You're a creative, photographer, or consultant who needs a portfolio
• You want something beautiful without much customisation
• You're running a small online store with standard products

Get a custom website if:

• You're a local business that needs customers to find you online
• You want a fast, professional site that ranks on Google
• You're tired of slow, clunky website builders
• You want to own your website, not rent it forever
• You're serious about your business and your website is a core part of it

I've built sites for hairdressers, restaurants, mechanics, real estate agents — all businesses that need a website that works. Not a template that sort of fits.

If you want to know what a custom build costs and what's included, check out what a website actually costs in Australia and what's included in a professional build.

I'm not going to hard-sell you a custom website if you don't need one. If Wix or Squarespace genuinely fits your needs, I'll tell you that.

But if you're done messing around with drag-and-drop editors and want something built properly? That's where I come in.

I build fast, clean, custom HTML websites for local businesses across Gippsland. $495–$795. No bloat, no platform fees, no lock-in.

Want to chat about what would actually work for your business? Get in touch here →

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