Custom website, WordPress or Wix: what should you choose?
Templates can solve an early stage. But when performance, SEO, control and evolution matter, a custom website can be cleaner and more predictable.
When WordPress or Wix are enough
For a very simple presence, minimal budget and little need for evolution, a visual platform can be enough. Problems appear when the site needs speed, SEO and fine control.
When custom makes sense
It makes sense when the business depends on the website, when integrations matter, when design must be specific or when the current website is slow and hard to maintain.
Migration without losing SEO
A good migration preserves important URLs, creates redirects, keeps metadata, validates the sitemap, fixes canonical and measures the result in Search Console.
| Custom (ArqWeb) | WordPress | Wix | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance (Core Web Vitals) | Excellent, optimised from the start | Variable (theme + plugins) | Limited |
| Code control | Full — the repo is yours | Partial | None |
| Technical SEO | Controlled from day one | Plugin-dependent | Limited |
| Plugin dependency | Minimal | High | Closed |
| Upfront cost | From €500 + VAT | Low to medium | Low |
| Ongoing cost | CMS plan from €19/month | Plugins + maintenance | Monthly subscription |
| Evolution & integrations | No limits | Possible, with friction | Restricted |
01Will migrating from WordPress hurt rankings?
It can if done badly. With redirects, sitemap, canonical, metadata and tests, the risk is much lower.
02Is a custom website always better?
No. It is better when performance, SEO, control and evolution matter. For very simple projects, an off-the-shelf platform can be enough.
03Will we depend on ArqWeb?
The code stays in the client's repository. ArqWeb CMS requires a maintenance plan while it is used.
Next reads
Professional websites
Professional website design and development in Portugal. Fast, responsive, SEO-ready websites from around 500 EUR + VAT, with ArqWeb CMS from 19 EUR/month.
→ServiceTechnical SEO
Technical SEO for professional websites: metadata, sitemap, canonical, schema, performance, accessibility, indexation and Search Console fixes.
→ServiceCMS maintenance
Website maintenance with ArqWeb CMS, managed hosting, SSL, backups, security, uptime monitoring and included annual hours. Plans from 19 EUR/month.
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