Hosted website builders such as Wix and Squarespace have made it possible for almost anyone to put a business online. They're popular for good reason. A custom website, built by a designer, is the other common route. And there's a third option that sits in between: a professionally built site that someone else manages for you each month.
None of these is right for everyone. This guide lays out the tradeoffs plainly so you can pick the one that fits how you actually work.
What a website builder gives you
A builder bundles templates, a visual editor, hosting and a security certificate into one subscription. You choose a design, replace the sample text and photos with your own, and publish.
- Low barrier to start. You can have something online quickly without hiring anyone.
- Predictable billing. One subscription covers the platform and hosting.
- You're in control. You can make changes whenever you like, as long as you have time to log in and do them.
- Built-in extras. Most builders offer add-ons such as simple online stores, booking or email signup forms.
Where builders ask more of you
The platform handles the technology, but you are still the designer, the writer and the maintenance team. That's the part owners tend to underestimate.
- Your time. Learning the editor, writing every page, checking it on a phone and updating it later all fall to you.
- Design decisions. Templates look polished with their sample content. Making them look as good with your real photos and text takes some skill.
- Mobile layouts. Pages usually adapt to phones automatically, but it's worth checking every page on a real phone, since most local customers will see it there first.
- Portability. On most hosted builders, the design lives on the platform. You can usually keep and move your domain, but moving the site itself to another host often means rebuilding it.
What a custom website gives you
With a custom site, a designer builds pages around your business instead of fitting your business into a template. That usually means a layout shaped around how customers contact you, a structure planned for search engines and code that does only what your site needs, which helps it load quickly.
The traditional downside is the model around it: a larger up-front cost, then separate bills for hosting and changes, and a dependency on the designer for edits. If your designer is hard to reach, the site can drift out of date just as easily as a do-it-yourself one.
The managed option
A managed website combines a professionally built site with someone responsible for it every month. You don't touch an editor; you send a message with what you want changed and it gets done. With NuWeb, for example, we rebuild your site from your current content, show you a free demo first, and then host and update it as part of one monthly plan. Small changes are usually live within a day, and everything can be handled remotely.
A quick way to decide
Answer these honestly:
- Will you really update the site yourself? If you enjoy it and have the time, a builder can be a great fit. If updates will slip down the to-do list, choose an option where someone else is responsible.
- How often does your information change? Restaurants, salons and trades with seasonal hours or changing prices need edits often. A site that rarely changes needs less ongoing help.
- Do you need something unusual? Customer portals, quoting tools or booking tied to your own workflow usually call for custom work. We build custom web applications like these, quoted up front.
- What's your budget shape? Some businesses prefer one up-front payment, others a steady monthly cost. Compare the total over a few years, as described in our guide to small business website costs.
Whatever you choose, cover the basics
The platform matters less than the fundamentals. Customers need to see what you do and where you work right away, reach you in one tap, trust that your hours and prices are current, and find the same details on your website and your Google Business Profile. A well-kept builder site beats a neglected custom one, and the reverse is true too.
If you already have a site on a builder and wonder how it would look rebuilt, we can make a free demo from your existing content. You can compare them side by side and decide with no obligation.
General information for small businesses, not a quote. Every business is different; ask us about yours.