Wix vs Hiring a Web Designer: Which Is Better?
A head-to-head comparison of DIY website builders versus professional web designers for small businesses.
## The Great Website Debate
When it comes to getting your business online, you essentially have two paths: build it yourself with a platform like Wix, or hire a professional web designer. Both have their place, but the right choice depends on your specific situation.
Wix: The DIY Approach
Wix is one of the most popular website builders, and for good reason. It offers drag-and-drop editing, hundreds of templates, and a free tier to get started.
Wix Pros
- Low upfront cost (free plan available)
- No coding knowledge needed
- You can update content yourself anytime
- Built-in hosting included
Wix Cons
- Monthly fees add up ($17 to $159/month for business plans)
- Templates can look generic and similar to competitors
- Limited SEO capabilities compared to custom sites
- Performance can be slower due to platform overhead
- You are locked into their ecosystem
- Ads on free/basic plans
Hiring a Web Designer: The Professional Approach
A professional designer brings expertise in visual design, user experience, SEO, and performance optimization that is difficult to replicate with a drag-and-drop builder.
Designer Pros
- Truly custom, unique design
- Better SEO performance
- Faster load times
- No platform lock-in (you own the code)
- Professional quality builds trust
Designer Cons
- Higher upfront cost (traditionally $1,000+)
- Need to communicate your vision clearly
- Updates may require contacting the designer
The Cost Comparison Over 3 Years
Let us look at real numbers. A Wix Business plan costs about $27/month, totaling $972 over 3 years. Add a domain ($12/year) and you are at over $1,000 for a template-based site.
A custom website from getsitefor100 costs $100 one time, plus hosting (free to $20/month on platforms like Vercel or Netlify). Over 3 years, that is $100 to $820 for a fully custom, professional site.
Our Recommendation
For most small businesses, hiring a professional designer is the better investment. The quality difference is real, and the long-term costs are often lower. The traditional barrier has been the high upfront cost, but services like getsitefor100 have eliminated that obstacle.
If you value a unique online presence, better SEO, and true ownership of your website, professional design is the way to go.