Why choose a custom-built website over a Wix or Squarespace?
by Nick Allen, Full-Stack Developer

Introduction
In today's digital age, having an online presence for your business isn't just a luxury; it's a necessity. When people want to find a product or service, they turn to the internet.
In fact, according to Forbes, 97% of consumers use the internet to find local businesses. This means that if your business doesn't have a website, you're missing out on a massive pool of potential customers.
In this article, we'll weigh the pros and cons of using a site builder like Wix or Squarespace and discuss the benefits of a custom-built website.
Taking the First Step
When you decide to bring your business online, it can be tough to know where to begin. For most businesses, the choice boils down to two options: a site builder like Wix or Squarespace or a custom-built website from a local design studio like Betonicah.
Let's explore the pros and cons of each.
Taking a Look at Site Builders (Wix, Squarespace, etc.)
Site builders are great for new businesses or start-ups. They're user-friendly, and you can have a website ready pretty quickly.
Important Considerations
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You have to do everything yourself
With site builders, you're in the driver's seat. It's empowering, but also means you're juggling design, content, and setup. Templates help, but tweaking them to match your brand and look super polished? That's where it gets tricky.
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They aren't super flexible or customizable
Site builders to appeal to the most amount of people offer a one-size-fits-most approach. It's like buying off-the-shelf when what you really need is tailor-made. You might find yourself wanting a feature or design tweak that's just not on the menu, leading to workarounds or settling for less. Your website shouldn't be a compromise, it should be a reflection of your business.
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They are limited in terms of SEO optimization
Another not so obvious drawback of site builders is that they are notorious for having poor SEO optimization. This is the behind the scenes stuff that helps your website rank higher in search engines like Google. It's a big deal because if your website isn't ranking well, potential customers are going to have a hard time finding it when searching for your product or service.
Why a Custom-Built Website Makes Sense
The best thing about a custom-built website? It's made just for you. You're not stuck within the confines of a template or limited by what features you can have. Your website can look and work exactly how you want it to.
It'll match your brand perfectly, be easy to use, will be optimized for all devices and SEO, and have all the features you need to power-up your business. Whether it's a special form, a unique checkout process, or anything else – it's all possible.
How Betonicah Can Assist
At Betonicah, we aim to simplify the web design process. We blend the ease of site builders with the flexibility of a custom-built website.
We work closely with you to understand your business and goals. This understanding shapes a unique website that not only fits your brand but also has the features you need.
We value collaboration and transparency. We'll keep you in the loop every step of the way, and you'll have the opportunity to provide feedback and request changes at every stage of the process. You can read about our process in more detail on our process page.
Ready to get started? We'd love to hear about your project!