Website Builder vs Developer (Honest Comparison)
You're stuck between two options: pay R2,000 for a Wix template or R10,000+ for a custom developer. Which is actually better?
This is an honest comparison. No bias. We'll tell you when DIY works and when you need a professional (even though one choice is better for us).
Website Builder vs Developer: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Wix / Squarespace | Custom Developer |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Cost | R2,000 - R5,000 | R8,000 - R20,000 |
| Monthly Cost | R300-R800/month (forever) | R50-R300/month (hosting only) |
| You Own It | NO — Wix owns your site | YES — 100% ownership |
| Design Quality | Template-based (okay) | Custom (professional) |
| Load Speed | 2-4 seconds (slow for SEO) | Under 2 seconds (fast) |
| SEO Capability | Basic (limited) | Full control |
| Customization | Limited (drag-drop) | Unlimited |
| Learning Curve | Easy (no coding) | Not needed (dev handles it) |
| Support | Chatbot / Email (slow) | Direct contact (fast) |
| Conversion Rates | Lower (cheap look) | Higher (professional) |
The Hidden Truth: Long-Term Cost
Website Builder (Wix):
R5,000 setup + R500/month × 60 months = R35,000 total over 5 years
Plus: You don't own it. If Wix changes, you're stuck.
Custom Developer (Hikari Labs):
R12,000 upfront + R150/month (hosting) × 60 months = R21,000 total over 5 years
Plus: You own it 100%. Move it anytime. Upgrade anytime.
Bottom line:
Custom developer saves you R14,000+ over 5 years AND you own your asset. That's not even counting better SEO and conversion rates from a custom site.
✓ When Website Builders Make Sense
Be honest with yourself. Website builders work when:
You're testing a brand new idea
You want a cheap website to see if customers will bite, before investing more.
You want complete control (no developers needed)
You enjoy updating your own site and don't mind limitations.
You're doing this for a hobby or personal project
Not expecting serious business revenue from the site.
You have tech skills and time
You can learn SEO, design basics, and troubleshoot problems yourself.
✓ When You Need a Custom Developer
Get professional help when:
Your business depends on the website
You're a service business (electrician, plumber, consultant). Website brings in customers = revenue.
You need it to look professional
Your website is your first impression. Template sites look cheap. Custom looks premium.
You want to rank on Google
Fast load speeds, proper SEO, custom optimization. Custom developers do this better.
You want ownership
Own your code, domain, and design. Not held hostage by Wix pricing changes.
You need functionality beyond templates
Booking systems, payment processing, integrations. Builders are limited.
You don't have time to learn and maintain
You run the business. Let a developer handle the website.
The Real Talk: DIY Website Failures We See
We talk to business owners who spent months on DIY websites. Here's what goes wrong:
"I built my site on Wix but it looks like a hobby project"
Wix templates are generic. Your competitors use the exact same template. Customers assume you're not serious about your business.
"I spent 2 months learning WordPress and it's still slow"
WordPress has a steep learning curve. Slow by default. Constant plugin updates = security risks. Developers can build WordPress correctly, but that's not DIY anymore.
"My Wix site costs R500/month and I'm not happy"
You're paying monthly forever, site gets slower over time, can't customize, and you don't own it. Trapped.
"Nobody can find my site on Google"
DIY sites rarely rank because builders don't prioritize SEO, slow loading, and bad structure. Custom developers know how to optimize.
Our Honest Recommendation
For most small business owners in South Africa: Hire a custom developer.
A professional website that you own costs R8k-R15k upfront. Over 5 years, it's cheaper than Wix. More professional. Converts better. You own it.
Common Questions
What about Shopify for e-commerce?
Shopify is better than Wix for e-commerce, but same issues: high monthly fees (R500-R2,000+), limited customization, you don't own your store. For serious online stores, custom development pays off faster.
Can't I just start with Wix and upgrade later?
In theory, yes. In practice, migrating from Wix to custom is a pain (new domain, lost SEO, lost data). Better to get it right the first time.
What if I just need something simple?
Simple doesn't have to be expensive. A 5-page custom site can be R8,000. Simple, professional, fast, yours forever. Better than R300/month Wix forever.
What about free website builders like Weebly?
Free = you support the ads. Free tier is very limited. Upgrade path = still expensive monthly fees. Not viable for serious businesses.
Ready for a Professional Website?
Let's build something that works. Transparent pricing. Ownership. Results.
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