Comparison7 min2026-03-15

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.