Custom website vs Wix, Squarespace, WordPress & Shopify
We compare all the major platforms honestly — cost, ownership, SEO and scalability — so you can choose right for your business.
The major platforms – in brief
Each has its strengths. Here's what you should know about each.
Easiest to get started. Suits simple presentation sites on a tight budget.
Beautiful templates, especially for creative industries. Same core limitations as Wix.
Not the same as self-hosted WordPress. Limited control and requires Business plan for plugins.
Strong for e-commerce with many products. Transaction fees and high monthly cost are the downsides.
More flexible than Wix, but requires technical knowledge. Still platform-dependent.
Built from the ground up for your business. You own the code, pay no ongoing fees and are not locked to any platform.
Full comparison
Scroll horizontally on mobile to see all columns.
| Wix | Squarespace | WordPress.com | Shopify | Webflow | Custom | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | 179–399 kr/mnd | 169–489 kr/mnd | 249–450 kr/mnd | 339–889 kr/mnd | 190–410 kr/mnd | 0 NOK/mth (static) |
| Code ownership | Nei – låst til plattform | Nei – låst til plattform | Nei – begrenset eksport | Delvis – tema-kode | Delvis – kan eksportere HTML | Yes – you own everything |
| SEO flexibility | Begrenset | Begrenset | Middels (Business+) | Middels | Ganske bra | Full control |
| Page speed / Core Web Vitals | Middels | Middels | Varierer | Ganske bra | Ganske bra | Lightning fast |
| Scalability | Begrenset | Begrenset | Middels | Bra for e-handel | Ganske bra | Unlimited |
| Transaction fees | Nei (Wix Payments) | 0–3 % avh. plan | Via plugin | 0,5–2 % (uten Shopify Pay) | 2 % (Starter) | 0% – no fees |
| Content editing | Enkelt drag-and-drop | Enkelt drag-and-drop | Gutenberg editor | Produktfokusert | Krever øvelse | With CMS (optional) |
When a builder can work
We recommend Wix and similar tools when they genuinely fit. For most businesses wanting organic growth, they're still not the right choice.
When a custom website pays off
Frequently asked questions
Is Wix good enough for a business website?
Wix can work for simple presentation sites on a tight budget, but has limitations in SEO flexibility, speed and scalability. For businesses wanting organic growth, a custom site is usually better.
What is the difference between Wix and Squarespace?
Wix is more flexible and beginner-friendly with drag-and-drop. Squarespace has nicer design templates, better suited for creative industries. Both share the same core limitations: you don't own the code and pay ongoing fees.
Should I choose Shopify or a custom website for my online store?
Shopify is strong for pure e-commerce with many products. But you pay 0.5–2% transaction fees (without Shopify Payments), plus a monthly subscription from 339 NOK. A custom webshop gives full control with 0 ongoing fees.
Is WordPress.com the same as WordPress?
No. WordPress.com is a hosted platform with major limitations. WordPress.org (self-hosted) is open source and gives full control — but requires technical maintenance. Most people who say 'WordPress' mean self-hosted.
What does a custom website cost compared to Wix?
Wix costs 179–399 NOK/mth ongoing — 2,000–5,000 NOK/year forever. A static custom website can have 0 NOK/mth in running costs after the one-off fee, and you own the code.
Is SEO better on a custom website than Wix?
Yes. Custom websites give full control over technical SEO: URL structure, schema markup, page speed, Core Web Vitals and hreflang. Wix, Squarespace and WordPress.com all have limitations here.
Not sure what's right for you?
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