You're hesitating between WordPress, an online builder and a custom-made site? That's a good question, and the answer isn't the same for everyone.
Here's the honest comparison, with real prices and real traps.
The three options at a glance
| Criterion | WordPress | Builder (Wix, etc.) | Custom site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $0 software, $500 to $2,000 with design | $200 to $500 per year | $800 to $4,000 |
| Annual maintenance cost | $300 to $1,000 | Included in the subscription | Low, simple |
| Site speed | Average, depends on plugins | Slow in general | Fast |
| Local SEO | Possible, requires work | Limited | Optimized from day one |
| Full ownership | Partial, depends on theme | No, you're a tenant | Yes |
| Customization | Limited by theme | Very limited | Unlimited |
WordPress: the illusion of free
WordPress powers a large part of the web, and it's an excellent tool in the right hands. The problem is that "free" doesn't mean without cost.
The hidden costs of WordPress:
- Hosting, which you have to pay for and monitor.
- Plugins: every feature (booking, store, form) is a plugin. The good ones are paid, the free ones are quickly outgrown.
- Security: WordPress is the number one target for hackers. You need backups, updates and monitoring.
- Time: every update can break a feature. Who handles it when it happens at 11 PM on a Sunday?
A neglected WordPress site becomes slow, vulnerable and penalized by Google. It's a tool that requires constant maintenance.
The builders: fast but limited
Wix and its competitors are perfect for creating a site in an afternoon. That's also their limit.
- You're a tenant: you own neither the site, your data, nor your traffic.
- Local SEO is limited: the builders are slow, and speed is a ranking factor.
- When you want to grow, you have to start over with a real developer. We receive many clients doing exactly that migration.
The custom site: an investment, not an expense
A custom site is built for your business and nothing else.
- It's fast, because it doesn't carry the weight of a general-purpose system.
- It's optimized for local SEO from the start: tags, structure, speed, structured data for Google.
- It belongs to you, 100%. You can change teams, take it with you, sell it.
- It's simple to maintain: nothing to update every week, nothing that breaks on its own.
The higher initial cost pays off over time: less maintenance, better ranking, real ownership.
How to choose, in practice
Choose WordPress or a builder if:
- You want to do everything yourself from day one, without help.
- Your business doesn't depend on showing up on Google.
- You accept managing updates and security.
Choose a custom site if:
- Your business needs local customers (restaurant, garage, salon, clinic).
- You want a site that starts fast and ranks well.
- You prefer to invest once and own your tool.
The next step
You're not sure which option fits you? We offer a free 30-minute call to analyze your situation and honestly recommend the best solution, no commitment.