Module 2 of 630 minutes3 min read

DIY Website Builders vs Custom

“Know your options. Make the right call for your business.”

Video Lesson

Video lesson coming soon. We are recording high-quality walkthroughs for every module.

Module Overview

Should you use Squarespace, WordPress, Wix, or go custom? The answer depends on your business, your budget, and your goals. This module gives you an honest comparison of every major website platform, including the hidden costs nobody talks about. You will learn when a DIY builder is the smart choice, when it holds you back, and how to evaluate what your business actually needs.

Platform comparison: Squarespace, WordPress, Wix, Shopify, customHidden costs: plugins, themes, maintenance, securityWhen DIY makes sense vs when custom pays for itselfMigration: moving from one platform to another

What You'll Learn

Compare every major website platform honestly, including hidden costs

Know exactly when a DIY builder is the right choice for your business

Understand the real total cost of ownership for each platform option

Make an informed decision about building, migrating, or rebuilding your website

Key Takeaways

There is no universally 'best' platform; the right choice depends entirely on your business needs
Hidden costs (plugins, maintenance, security) can make a 'cheap' platform expensive over time
DIY builders are ideal for simple businesses; they become limiting as your needs grow
A decision matrix removes emotion and opinion from what should be a data-driven choice

Sample Activity

Here's a taste of the hands-on work you'll do in this module.

Platform Decision Matrix

Score each major platform against your specific business needs. You will rate each option on cost, ease of use, flexibility, SEO capability, and scalability. The matrix gives you a clear, data-driven answer instead of opinions.

PREVIEW

Criteria (1-5 each):
                 Squarespace  WordPress  Wix  Custom
Cost              ___         ___       ___   ___
Ease of use       ___         ___       ___   ___
Flexibility       ___         ___       ___   ___
SEO capability    ___         ___       ___   ___
Scalability       ___         ___       ___   ___
Your total:       ___         ___       ___   ___

Real-World Example

Chiropractic (Cleveland, QLD)

Cleveland Chiropractic was on a basic Wix site that looked dated and offered limited SEO control. They were quoted $8,000 for a custom WordPress rebuild, which felt expensive for a small practice. Using the platform decision matrix, they compared Wix, WordPress, Squarespace, and a custom Next.js build across their specific needs: online booking integration, local SEO, and patient education content.

The Result

The matrix showed that a well-configured WordPress site with the right plugins offered the best balance of cost, SEO capability, and flexibility for their needs. They migrated for under $3,000 and gained full control over their SEO, booking system, and content. The key insight was that the cheapest option (staying on Wix) was actually the most expensive in lost opportunities.

Activities in This Module

Platform decision matrix

Total cost of ownership calculator

Deliverable: A completed platform decision matrix showing the best option for your specific business

Your Notes — Module 2

0 characters

Module 1: What Makes a Great Website Module 3: SEO Fundamentals for Your Website

Ready to build a website that actually converts?

Join the waitlist and get notified when Website Mastery launches.

Criteria (1-5 each): Squarespace WordPress Wix Custom Cost ___ ___ ___ ___ Ease of use ___ ___ ___ ___ Flexibility ___ ___ ___ ___ SEO capability ___ ___ ___ ___ Scalability ___ ___ ___ ___ Your total: ___ ___ ___ ___