Squarespace vs Wix vs custom: what Irish businesses should pick

Every Irish small business owner ends up in this decision. Here's the cleanest framing we know.

Squarespace

Best for: visually-driven businesses (photographers, restaurants, lifestyle brands) who want something good-looking without thinking too hard. Costs: €16–€49/month forever. Strengths: gorgeous templates, easy editor. Weaknesses: limited customisation, page speed is mediocre, you don't own the platform.

Wix

Best for: businesses that need lots of moving parts (booking systems, member areas, online courses) without paying a developer. Costs: €11–€39/month. Strengths: massive app ecosystem, AI builder, decent ecommerce. Weaknesses: sites feel templated, SEO is improving but still behind, you can't migrate off it.

Custom build

Best for: businesses that care about brand, speed and SEO — or want to actually own their site. Costs: €495–€10,000+ depending on who builds it. Strengths: full ownership, fastest performance, distinct design, no required monthly platform fees. Weaknesses: you need someone to make changes (or learn how).

The five-year cost reality

Squarespace Business at €23/month is €1,380 over 5 years. Wix Business Basic at €22/month is €1,320. Our Business Build is €1,150 one-off, and even with Starter Maintenance (€29/month) that's €2,890 over 5 years — but skip maintenance and it's €1,150 total, forever. Either way you own the site instead of renting it.

The lock-in problem nobody mentions

Squarespace and Wix don't let you export your site. The day you cancel, your site goes dark. Custom sites are HTML, CSS, code — yours forever, hostable anywhere, migratable to any developer. That's worth something.

When DIY is the right call

• Pre-revenue side project — Squarespace, lowest commitment.
• You enjoy fiddling with design tools — Wix.
• Solo photographer or florist with no copy to write — Squarespace.

When custom wins

• You want to look more premium than your competitors.
• Local SEO matters (most Irish businesses).
• You want a site you own and don't rent.
• You hate fighting templates.