The short answer
Choose Wix if you're just starting, your budget is very tight and you enjoy doing it yourself. Choose a custom website once your site needs to win customers: it's faster, looks unique, and you own it outright with no rising subscription.
Side by side
| Wix (DIY) | Custom website | |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low | From about S$1,200 with me |
| Monthly cost | Subscription for as long as the site is live (~S$20–150) | Hosting can be very low; care plan optional |
| Your time | You design, write and maintain it | Done for you |
| Design | Template-based; many sites look alike | Built around your brand and customers |
| Speed | Builder code adds weight | Only the code your site needs |
| SEO control | Good basics, limited fine control | Full control of every tag and page |
| Ownership | Tied to the platform | You own the files; move hosts any time |
| Custom features | App marketplace, limits apply | Anything: calculators, databases, logins |
When Wix is the right choice
- You're testing an idea and may change direction soon.
- Your budget is under a few hundred dollars.
- You like designing and have time to learn and maintain it.
- You need one simple page with contact details.
When a custom site pays for itself
- Customers compare you with competitors online before calling.
- You need features a template can't do well, such as quote calculators, booking, or a client portal.
- Your site is slow, looks dated, or doesn't show up on Google.
- You'd rather spend your time running the business than editing a website.
For context: in my October 2026 scan, 429 of the 4,078 working Singapore business sites were built on Wix. The builder isn't the problem. Most weak sites, on any platform, are missing basics such as titles, descriptions and headings. See the full report.
Moving from Wix without losing Google
- Keep your domain, and connect it to the new site.
- List every page on the old site and its address.
- Redirect each old address to its new page (a 301 redirect).
- Carry over titles, descriptions and the content that already ranks.
- Submit the new sitemap in Google Search Console and watch for errors.
Questions people ask
Can a Wix site rank on Google?
Yes. Google ranks pages on content, relevance, speed and links, not on the builder. Many Wix sites simply lack the basics: unique titles, descriptions, headings and enough useful text.
Will I lose my Google ranking if I move from Wix?
Not if it's done properly. Keep the same domain, set up redirects from every old page address to its new one, and resubmit your sitemap.
Is a custom website more expensive in the long run?
Usually not. A builder subscription is paid forever, while a custom static site can be hosted very cheaply once it's built.
Can I still edit my own site if it's custom?
Yes, if that's set up. Alternatively, small edits can be included in a care plan so you don't have to touch it.