Wix vs a Custom Website: Which Is Right for Your Small Business?

12 minutes ago

3 min read

"Should I go for Wix, or get a proper custom website built?"

It's one of the most common questions we're asked, and you'll hear strong opinions on both sides. Here's our honest, no-jargon answer after years of building websites for small businesses: for most small businesses, Wix is the smarter choice. But not for everyone.

Let's compare them properly.

The quick comparison

Cost: Wix is usually far cheaper to build. Custom-coded sites cost more because a developer builds everything from scratch.
Speed to launch: a Wix site can be designed and live in weeks. Custom builds often take months.
Updates: on Wix, you can change text, photos and prices yourself in minutes. On a custom site, you'll usually need a developer.
Flexibility: custom wins here. If you need complex features, a developer can build almost anything.
Maintenance: Wix handles hosting, security and updates for you. Custom sites need someone to look after them.

When Wix is the right choice

Wix is ideal if your website's job is to:

show what you do and where you do it
show off your work and reviews
take enquiries, bookings or simple payments
be easy for you to update without calling anyone

That covers the vast majority of trades, salons, cafés, coaches, consultants and local service businesses. Wix also has built-in tools for bookings, forms, blogs and online shops, so you're not paying extra to have them built.

When a custom website is worth it

A custom build makes sense if you need:

complex booking or quoting systems built around how your business works
integrations with specialist software your industry relies on
a very large online shop with complicated stock or pricing
a truly unique feature that no platform offers

If that's you, invest in a good developer. If it isn't, you're likely paying for power you'll never use.

What about SEO?

A common worry is that Wix isn't good for Google. In our experience, what you put on your site matters far more than what it's built on. Clear page titles, useful content, fast mobile pages and a regular blog will do more for your rankings than switching platforms.

Tartan Social tip: the websites that rank are the ones that keep being updated. Because Wix is easy to edit, it's far easier to keep fresh, and that's a big advantage.

The hidden cost of custom sites

The build is only the start. The real cost of a custom site often shows up later: every new page, price change or photo swap can mean another invoice. If you have to email a developer to change your opening hours, you don't really own your website.

For a full breakdown, read our guide on how much a small business website costs in the UK.

Frequently asked questions

Is Wix good enough for a professional business?

Yes. When it's designed properly, visitors won't know or care what platform it's built on. They care that it looks professional, loads quickly and makes it easy to contact you.

Can I move from Wix to a custom site later?

Yes. Many businesses start on Wix and only move to a custom build if they outgrow it. Most never need to.

Can I update my Wix site myself?

Yes, and that's one of its biggest advantages. We show every client how to make their own updates.

How much is a Wix website from Tartan Social?

Our Wix websites start from £999, designed and built for you, mobile-friendly and easy for you to update.

Let's build a website that actually brings in work

We're a multi-award-winning social media and website agency, founded in Glasgow, with 8 years' experience helping small businesses get seen online.

Get in touch and we'll tell you honestly what your business needs.