"Can't I just use WordPress/Wix?" Yes, you can. Here's why custom development offers better performance, unique design, scalability, and SEO control—without monthly fees or limitations.
The Question We Hear Often
"Why should I pay for custom development when I can build a website myself with Wix/WordPress/Squarespace?"
It's a fair question. Let's break down the real differences.
Template Platforms (WordPress, Wix, Squarespace)
Pros:
- Quick setup: You can have something online in hours
- Low upfront cost: Free or cheap to start
- Easy for non-technical users: Drag and drop interfaces
- Lots of templates: Choose from thousands of designs
Cons:
- Monthly fees forever: €15-50/month adds up (€180-600/year)
- Slow performance: Bloated with unnecessary code
- Generic design: Your site looks like thousands of others
- Limited customization: Can't always do what you want
- SEO limitations: Less control over technical optimization
- Plugin dependency: Rely on third-party plugins that break or get abandoned
- Security risks: Vulnerable to attacks through plugins
- Vendor lock-in: Hard to migrate away later
Custom Code Development
Pros:
- Superior performance: Clean code, optimized for speed
- Unique design: Completely custom to your brand
- Full control: Do exactly what you want
- Better SEO: Technical optimization built-in
- No monthly fees: One-time payment, you own it
- Scalable: Easy to add features as you grow
- Lightweight: Only the code you actually need
- More secure: No plugin vulnerabilities
Cons:
- Higher upfront cost: Professional work costs more initially
- Longer development time: Quality takes time
- Requires a developer: Can't DIY easily
Performance Comparison
Let's talk numbers:
- Average WordPress site: 3-5 second load time, 2-3 MB page size
- Average Wix site: 4-7 second load time, poor mobile performance
- Custom-coded site: Under 2 seconds, under 1 MB, optimized for speed
"Template platforms are built for flexibility. Custom code is built for your specific needs—and it shows in performance."
Design Uniqueness
Templates: You're constrained by the template's structure. Want to move something? Only if the template allows it. Want a unique layout? Tough luck.
Custom: Anything you can imagine, we can build. Your brand deserves to stand out, not blend in with thousands of identical template sites.
Cost Analysis (3-Year Comparison)
Template Platform:
- Initial setup: €0-200
- Monthly fees (€30 avg): €30 × 36 months = €1,080
- Premium plugins/themes: €200-500
- Time spent learning and maintaining: Priceless (but frustrating)
- 3-year total: €1,280 - €1,780
Custom Development (Standard Package €1,800):
- Initial development: €1,800
- Hosting: €10/month × 36 = €360
- Optional care package: €100/month × 36 = €3,600 (or DIY for free)
- 3-year total: €2,160 (no care package) or €5,760 (with professional care)
The difference? You get a faster, better-looking, more professional site—and full ownership.
SEO Control
Templates: Limited control over technical SEO. Plugin-dependent. Often bloated code hurts rankings.
Custom: Full control. Clean, semantic HTML. Optimized for Core Web Vitals. Schema markup. Perfect technical foundation for SEO.
Scalability & Growth
Templates: Adding new features means finding compatible plugins, hoping they don't conflict, paying for premium versions. Limitations hit fast.
Custom: Need a new feature? We add it. Want to integrate with your CRM? Done. Need a custom dashboard? Built from scratch. No limitations.
Security Considerations
WordPress powers 43% of the web—and is the #1 target for hackers. Most attacks exploit vulnerable plugins and themes.
Custom sites have smaller attack surfaces. No plugin vulnerabilities. No outdated theme code. Just clean, secure, custom code.
Maintenance Requirements
Templates:
- Constant plugin updates
- Theme updates that might break customizations
- Security patches
- Compatibility testing after updates
- Database optimization
Custom:
- Minimal maintenance
- Occasional content updates
- Optional performance monitoring
When Templates Make Sense
To be fair, templates can work for:
- Hobby blogs with no business goals
- Temporary landing pages for testing ideas
- Internal tools only employees see
- Absolute minimal budgets (under €500 total)
But for a serious business website that represents your brand and generates revenue? Custom is worth it.
The Bottom Line
Templates are fine for getting started quickly. But if you're serious about your online presence:
- Custom development performs better
- Custom design stands out
- Custom sites scale as you grow
- Custom code gives you full ownership
- No monthly fees after launch
You wouldn't use a generic template for your logo or business cards. Why accept one for your website?