Custom-Coded vs. Page Builders: What’s Best for Your Brand?

If websites were pizza, a custom-coded site would be a gourmet, wood-fired masterpiece, while a page builder site would be a frozen grocery store special. Sure, both technically count as pizza, but one is an experience, and the other just... exists.

So, when it comes to your business, do you want a website that’s merely passable, or do you want one that works for you to attract, engage, and convert customers like a pro? Let’s break it down.

What Is a Page Builder?

Page builders are drag-and-drop tools that allow you to create websites without touching code. They come with pre-designed elements, making it easy for non-developers to piece together a site visually. Think of them as the Ikea furniture of web design: convenient, but limited in customization and prone to some wobbly results if not assembled properly.

Popular page builders include platforms like Wix, Squarespace, and Elementor. You may have also heard of WordPress which is technically a Content Management System (CMS). For the sake of not confusing anybody, I'm going to lump that in with the rest of these page builders. All of these platforms promise ease of use, but at what cost? Let’s dive into why people choose them.

Why Do People Use Page Builders?

Page builders are popular for a few reasons:

• Ease of Use – No coding required, just drag and drop.
• Faster Setup – Templates allow for a quick launch.
• Lower Upfront Cost – Many have free plans or low-cost monthly subscriptions.
• Built-in Features – Comes with widgets, plugins, and themes to add functionality.

At first glance, this all sounds great, right? So why don’t I use page builders? While page builders seem convenient, they come with major downsides that can hurt your business in the long run. Here’s why I steer clear of them and opt for custom-coded websites instead:

Branding & Uniqueness: Do You Want to Stand Out or Blend In?

Page Builder Websites: Page builder templates are like pre-made suits. They might fit okay, but there’s always that awkward sleeve length or weird shoulder bump. Templates are built for mass appeal, not for your business’s unique identity. If you’ve seen one template, you’ve seen them all.

Custom Websites: A custom-coded website is your tailor-made power suit. It fits perfectly, showcases your brand’s personality, and makes a lasting impression. You get full creative control, so your site won’t look like a carbon copy of your competitor’s.

Website Performance: Speed Matters

Page Builder Websites: Most page builder sites are bogged down with unnecessary code, plugins, and features you don’t even need, making them slower and annoying, like a video that won't stop buffering. And guess what? 40% of users will abandon a site if it takes more than 3 seconds to load. Ouch.

Custom Websites: With a custom build, every line of code has a purpose. No bloated extras, no unnecessary plugins... just a sleek, high-performance website designed for speed. And a fast site doesn’t just keep visitors happy; Google loves it too, which boosts your search rankings.

SEO: The Secret Sauce to Getting Found

Page Builder Websites: SEO and page builders have a complicated relationship. Most page builders aren’t built with SEO-friendly websites in mind, leaving you to wrestle with limited customization and messy code. Plus, if you’re using the same template as hundreds of others, your chances of standing out in search results drop significantly.

Custom Websites: A custom site gives you full control over SEO elements, from clean, efficient code to optimized page structures, keyword placement, and metadata. That means Google sees your site as high-quality, giving you a competitive edge in search rankings.

Mobile-Friendliness: Everyone’s Browsing on the Go

Page Builder Websites: Many page builders claim to be “mobile-friendly,” but that often just means they shrink everything down to fit smaller screens. Buttons can be too small, text can get cut off, and navigation can become a nightmare.

Custom Websites: With a mobile-friendly design built from the ground up, your site will be designed to provide the best possible experience across all devices. No clunky resizing, just seamless usability that keeps visitors engaged.

Security & Scalability: Future-Proof Your Business

Page Builder Websites: Using a page builder often means relying on third-party plugins and pre-built code, some of which may have vulnerabilities. Plus, as your business grows, you may hit roadblocks when trying to scale or add new features.

Custom Websites: A custom-coded website is built with security in mind, reducing vulnerabilities and making it harder for hackers to exploit weaknesses. Plus, when your business grows, your site can grow with it, without limitations.

The Verdict: Which One Wins?

If you just need a quick, temporary website with minimal customization, a page builder might work. But if you’re serious about your business and want a high-performing, SEO-friendly, and scalable website, custom coding is the clear winner.

Sure, you could spend time learning how to use a page builder and piece something together yourself. But you’re not here to build websites—you’re here to build a business. And do you really have time to fiddle with plugins, updates, and design limitations?

If you’re hiring someone to build your site anyway, why not choose the better option? The best part? I charge the same (if not less) than designers who use page builders, except you get a faster, more unique, and higher-performing website that actually works for your business.

Need a custom website that’s as unique as your brand? Let’s chat.