---
title: "Template vs custom - when is it worth it? | Codavo"
canonical_url: "https://codavo.nl/en/blog/template-vs-custom"
last_updated: "2026-03-28T00:00:00.000Z"
meta:
  description: "Wix, Squarespace, or custom-built? An honest comparison of cost, speed, SEO, and flexibility so you make the right choice for your business."
  "og:description": "Wix, Squarespace, or custom-built? An honest comparison of cost, speed, SEO, and flexibility so you make the right choice for your business."
  "og:title": "Template vs custom - when is it worth it?"
---

Codavo homepage

Advice·March 28, 2026· [ Sjoerd Ligtvoet](https://codavo.nl/en/about)

# Template vs custom - when is it worth it?

Wix, Squarespace, or custom-built? An honest comparison of cost, speed, SEO, and flexibility so you make the right choice for your business.

"Can't I just make a Wix or Squarespace website?" A fair question. Sometimes a template is the right choice. But often it's not.

## When is a template enough?

A template works fine when:

- You need a simple website with standard pages
- You don't need special functionality
- Design isn't your priority
- You want to manage it yourself and don't have budget for a developer

## When is custom worth it?

Custom becomes interesting when you:

- **Want to be unique** - Your website should reflect your brand, not a template
- **Care about speed** - Templates load slowly due to unnecessary code
- **Want to grow** - You need functionality that templates don't offer
- **Want to be found** - Custom work scores better on Google through cleaner code and better performance
- **Need integrations** - Connection to your CRM, accounting, or other systems

## The real comparison

|  | **Template** | **Custom** |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cost | €0 - €500/year | From €2,500 one-time |
| Speed | Slow (3-8 sec) | Fast (<1 sec) |
| SEO | Basic | Optimized |
| Scalability | Limited | Unlimited |
| Ownership | Platform-dependent | Fully yours |

## The sweet spot

With Codavo you get custom work at a price close to templates. How? Through [**AI-driven development**](https://codavo.nl/en/blog/ai-web-development), I build in days what an agency takes weeks for. No quality compromises: you get the same clean code, fast load times, and SEO optimization as a €10,000+ agency.

A concrete example: a website with 8 pages, contact form, and full SEO setup costs from €2,500 at Codavo and is ready within 2 weeks. At an agency, you'd pay €5,000-€10,000 and wait 6-12 weeks.

## The hidden costs of templates

What many entrepreneurs forget: a template isn't a one-time €200 expense. The real costs:

- **Hosting + premium plan**: €200-€400/year
- **Premium plugins**: €100-€300/year
- **Your own time**: hours per week wrestling with limitations
- **Lost customers**: slow load times cost conversions

After 3 years you've spent as much as custom, but without the speed, search visibility, and ownership. Read the [**full breakdown**](https://codavo.nl/en/blog/hidden-costs-cheap-websites).

## Next step

Calculate what your project costs with the [**cost calculator**](https://codavo.nl/en/tools/website-cost-calculator), or [**book a free call**](https://codavo.nl/en/contact) and I'll help you determine the best choice.

Read more:

- [**What does a custom website cost in 2026?**](https://codavo.nl/en/blog/custom-website-cost)
- [**The hidden costs of a cheap website**](https://codavo.nl/en/blog/hidden-costs-cheap-websites)

[**The tech stack I use (and why)**](https://codavo.nl/en/blog/tech-stack) [**Two products, one niche: what I learned by building both sides**](https://codavo.nl/en/blog/twee-producten-een-niche)