Why Custom Code Beats Templates

The "But I Can Make a Wix Site for Free" Crusher

You'll hear it. Someone will say "Why would I pay $499 when I can build a Wix site for free?" or "My nephew made me a Squarespace site."

Here's how to handle it — with facts, not opinions.

🍔 The Food Analogy

Template websites are like fast food. They're quick, cheap, and get the job done in a pinch. But they're also:

• Mass-produced
• Identical to everyone else's
• Not very satisfying long-term

Custom code is like a chef's table experience. It's made specifically for you, uses quality ingredients, and leaves a lasting impression.

Both will fill your stomach. Only one will make people remember you.

⚡ Speed: Custom Sites Load 2-3x Faster

Template builders like Wix and Squarespace load a TON of code — most of which you don't even use. It's like carrying a backpack full of stuff you don't need.

The impact:

• Slow sites lose visitors (53% of people leave if a site takes more than 3 seconds to load)
• Google penalizes slow sites in search rankings
• Poor user experience = fewer sales

Custom code is lean. Only the code you need, nothing extra. Result? Sites that load in under 2 seconds.

🔍 SEO: Clean Code Ranks Better

Google's algorithm looks at hundreds of factors. One of them is the quality of your website's code.

Template builders generate bloated, messy code. Custom sites have clean, semantic code that Google can easily read and understand.

Translation: Custom code helps you rank higher on Google. Template sites fight an uphill battle from day one.

🎨 Uniqueness: Your Site Doesn't Look Like 10,000 Others

Ever visited a Wix site and thought "this looks familiar"? That's because you've seen that template before — on dozens of other businesses.

With custom code, your site is one-of-a-kind. It's designed for YOUR brand, YOUR business, YOUR customers. No one else has it.

First impressions matter. Standing out matters.

📦 Ownership: You Own It Forever

Here's what most people don't realize about Wix/Squarespace:

You don't own your website.

You're renting space on their platform. If you stop paying, your site disappears. If they change their terms, you're stuck. If you want to move somewhere else, you can't take your site with you.

With NWG custom code:

• You own the source code — 100%
• If you ever want to leave, you take everything with you
• No platform lock-in
• True ownership

📈 Scalability: Grows With Your Business

Template sites have limits. Want to add a custom feature? Too bad — if the template doesn't support it, you're out of luck. As your business grows, you hit walls.

Custom code can do literally anything. Need a custom booking system? Client portal? Integration with your CRM? It's all possible.

You won't outgrow a custom site.

💰 The Hidden Costs of "Free"

Let's break down what "free" Wix actually costs:

The "free" option isn't free. And it still doesn't include the content that actually helps you rank on Google.

Your Go-To Response

When someone brings up DIY builders, try this:

"I totally get it — Wix seems like an easy option. But here's the thing: those sites are slow, they all look the same, and you don't actually own anything. With NWG, you get a site that loads fast, ranks better on Google, and you own it forever. Plus, Joe writes SEO content every week to help people find you. It's actually a better deal when you add it all up."

Next up: "SEO Explained Like You're 5" — because ranking on Google is what most business owners really want.