As a website designer, one of the most common things I hear is,
“Can’t I just build it myself on Wix or GoDaddy? It’s free and looks easy.”
Yes, you can — but no, I don’t recommend it.
Here’s why, based on real-world experience working with small businesses that often end up rebuilding their sites properly after wasting time (and money) on these platforms.
1. They’re Slow, Clunky, and Poorly Built
These drag-and-drop site builders may look slick, but they produce bloated, inefficient code behind the scenes. That leads to:
- Slow load times (especially on mobile)
- Poor performance scores on tools like Google PageSpeed
- A frustrating user experience for your visitors
When I build a website, I focus on clean code, fast load speeds, and mobile optimisation — all of which directly affect how professional your site feels and how well it ranks.
2. Limited SEO & Scalability
Most free platforms are not built with SEO in mind, and while they’ll let you enter a few keywords or a page title, you don’t get:
- Full control over structured metadata
- Advanced SEO plugins or integrations
- Technical improvements like schema or image optimisation
- The ability to scale or add custom features
The sites I build on WordPress give you far more freedom — and I’ll configure everything properly for visibility from the start. You get access to the backend, but I handle the technical side so you don’t have to worry about it.
3. You Don’t Fully Own the Site
With Wix, GoDaddy and similar builders, you’re tied to their platform — and your site isn’t portable. You can’t move it elsewhere or host it differently. You’re stuck.
With me, your website is built on open-source WordPress, meaning it’s flexible and portable. I register domains in my name under Oban Web Design (unless specifically requested otherwise), so I can manage them for you — but it’s your business, and you’re never locked in.
4. You’ll Outgrow It Quickly
Free website builders are fine for hobby sites or temporary landing pages. But if you’re a serious business, it won’t be long before you need:
- Custom integrations
- Online bookings or e-commerce
- Better forms
- Membership areas
- Multi-language content
- Accessibility compliance
At that point, you either hit a wall or start again. My clients often come to me after trying a DIY platform — and regret not doing it properly the first time.
5. Templates Don’t Build Trust
People can spot a template site a mile off. They don’t build credibility, especially when they look like dozens of others using the same layout and stock content.
Everything I design is tailored to your brand — from layout to typography to tone. Even if it’s a small site, it feels professional, focused, and trustworthy.
6. Ongoing Support Matters
With platforms like Wix or GoDaddy, support means reading help docs or submitting tickets to an anonymous support queue.
When I build your site, you deal with me. I handle the setup, security, updates, backups, and ongoing tweaks. You have access to the WordPress backend to update content, but I manage the rest so you don’t have to worry about technical issues.
Final Word
If you’re building a business, your website should reflect that. And that means building it properly from the start — with performance, flexibility, and professionalism baked in.
