You launched your website on Wix or Squarespace because it was fast, easy, and affordable. You figured, “It doesn’t have to be perfect—just something to get me started.”
Totally fair.
That DIY hustle got you this far.
But if your business has grown—or you want it to grow—that site might be doing more harm than good.
Here’s the no-fluff truth:
Wix and Squarespace are built for getting started, not scaling.
And if you’ve been feeling stuck, frustrated, or like your website just isn’t working anymore… it’s probably not you. It’s the platform.
Let’s break down exactly why DIY platforms like Wix and Squarespace might be holding your business back—and what you can do about it (without going full custom and dropping 10k+ on a website rebuild).
Why So Many Business Owners Start with Wix or Squarespace
First, let’s be clear:
There’s nothing wrong with starting your business on a platform like Wix or Squarespace. In fact, they’ve exploded in popularity for a reason:
- Drag-and-drop editors that don’t require coding
- Affordable pricing plans
- All-in-one setup with hosting, templates, and domain management
- Easy to launch within a weekend (or let’s be honest… a very long coffee-fueled night)
They’re designed to help people start.
But not necessarily to help you scale.
And that’s the catch.
What Works (Until It Doesn’t)
Here’s what I’ve seen with dozens of clients who came to me after outgrowing their DIY site:
✘ Limited Customization
You want to add a feature… but the platform won’t let you. Or worse, you can do it, but it involves a hacky workaround or a third-party plugin that slows down your site.
✘ SEO Capabilities Are Shaky
Both Wix and Squarespace have made improvements here—but they still don’t offer the same flexibility, control, and performance you get with WordPress. Title tags, redirects, speed optimization, and structured content? Good luck.
✘ Your Site Feels the Same as Everyone Else’s
If you’ve ever landed on a Squarespace site and thought, “This looks familiar…” it’s because it is. These platforms rely on pre-made templates that tons of businesses are using. That makes it really hard to stand out.
✘ Site Speed + Performance Are Meh
DIY platforms are bloated with code behind the scenes. That slows things down, especially on mobile—and Google hates that.
✘ You Don’t Own or Control As Much As You Think
It’s their sandbox. You’re just building in it. And if you ever want to move off the platform, it’s not always a smooth process.
Real Problems I See All the Time
Let’s talk about some real client scenarios I’ve seen over the years:
- A local wedding photographer tried to add an online gallery with booking features to her Squarespace site… and spent weeks battling glitches, only to end up paying for 3 different add-ons that barely worked.
- A service-based business couldn’t figure out why their traffic had flatlined. The Wix blog wasn’t being indexed properly, and the site speed was abysmal—two things that tanked their SEO.
- An ecommerce client couldn’t connect her CRM to Wix’s checkout system without a complex workaround… and half her leads were dropping off during checkout.
- Another business owner reached out after her Squarespace designer ghosted her. She wanted to update her site and realized she had zero idea how to use the platform herself—because it was still complicated under the hood.
These aren’t dramatic stories. They’re normal.
And they’re exactly why I started offering semi-custom WordPress website design—to help small business owners bridge the gap between DIY limitations and fully custom builds.
Why WordPress is Built for Growth
WordPress isn’t just “for bloggers” or techy developers. It powers over 40% of the internet for a reason.
It’s flexible, scalable, and fully customizable—without locking you into someone else’s system.
Here’s what WordPress offers that Wix and Squarespace can’t:
✅ Full Design Control
You’re not stuck with one layout or boxed-in structure. You can actually create a site that feels like your brand—not just your industry.
✅ Better SEO Performance
With the right setup, WordPress gives you total control over your SEO: meta tags, URL structure, page speed, plugins, image optimization… the works.
✅ Easier Integrations
Email marketing tools, booking systems, ecommerce platforms, CRMs—WordPress plays nice with everything.
✅ You Own It
Your content, your site, your setup. You’re not tied to a platform you don’t control.
Still Not Sure If It’s Time to Move On?
Here are a few signs you’ve officially outgrown your DIY site:
- You’re embarrassed to send people to your website
- Your site looks “okay” but doesn’t reflect the level of your business
- It’s slow, clunky, or confusing to navigate (especially on mobile)
- You’ve had to find workarounds for basic features
- You’re spending more time fixing things than running your business
- Your traffic is flat, and your inquiries are low
- Your services, pricing, and offers have changed—but your site hasn’t
If that’s hitting a little too close to home?
That’s your sign.
You Don’t Need a Full Custom Site to Move Forward
I get it—moving off a platform like Wix or Squarespace feels intimidating. You might be thinking:
- “Isn’t WordPress too complicated?”
- “I don’t have the time or budget for a full custom project.”
- “What if I get stuck halfway through?”
This is exactly why I offer semi-custom WordPress website design. It gives you the strategy and customization you need—without starting from zero or spending five figures.
Think of it like the best of both worlds:
- Custom look and feel (designed for your business, not just your industry)
- Strategic structure (so your site actually converts)
- Built on WordPress (so it can grow with you)
- Faster turnaround and lower investment than full custom design
Final Thoughts: DIY Was Great—But You’re Past That Now
Wix and Squarespace helped you get online.
But if your website isn’t supporting your business anymore, it’s time for something better.
You don’t need to settle for generic templates, SEO headaches, or half-working features.
You need a website that’s built for where you’re going—not where you started.
Ready to upgrade without the overwhelm?
Explore our WordPress Web Design and let’s build a site that actually works.
