What is a hand-coded website?
A hand-coded website is built directly in HTML, CSS and JavaScript, with a custom Python or Node backend when one is actually needed, rather than assembled from a templating platform like WordPress, Wix, Squarespace or Webflow. Custom-built sites typically load faster, score higher on Core Web Vitals, rank better in local search, and remain fully owned by the client. The trade-off is that they are harder to self-edit day to day, which is why most WSG clients pair one with a monthly care plan.
How much does WordPress really cost over time?
WordPress itself is free, but a real small business site on it usually needs 15 to 30 plugins, each on its own update cycle. Managed WordPress hosting runs $30 to $100 a month. Security, backup, caching and SEO plugins on premium tiers add another $50 to $200 a month. A dev fixing plugin-breakage incidents runs a few hundred dollars a year on top. By year three, a WordPress site often costs more in subscription fees than a custom build would have cost to build from scratch.
Why does a hand-coded site load faster?
There is no page-builder, no plugin stack and no theme framework loading in the background, just the HTML, CSS and JavaScript the page actually needs. Most WordPress and Wix sites struggle to pass Core Web Vitals; custom-built sites pass easily. A hand-coded site also runs on basic static hosting for $5 to $20 a month instead of the $30 to $100 a month managed WordPress hosting costs.
What do you keep if you leave?
Hand-coded
You own the code, the domain and the hosting account outright. Leave tomorrow and take everything with you. Nothing is rented.
WordPress
You own the content and (usually) the domain, but the site itself depends on WordPress core, your theme and every installed plugin staying compatible.
Wix or Squarespace
The site lives inside their platform on a monthly subscription. There is no Wix subscription and no Squarespace template with a hand-coded build, and no platform holding the content hostage.
Webflow
Grouped with the other templating platforms: content and design both live inside the platform's own system rather than in files you hold yourself.
When is a website builder still the better choice?
Hand-coded is the default at WSG, not a rule. A team that already runs on WordPress, or needs non-technical people editing the site every day, is often better served staying there, built properly, no page-builder sprawl, no plugin nobody can remove. It is the same fixed price and the same ownership either way, so the platform is picked for the team, not the other way around.
What does moving off WordPress involve?
All content, the URL structure, SEO rankings, backlinks and contact form submissions are preserved, with 301 redirects wherever a URL has to change. The new site usually ships with more comprehensive schema than a WordPress site's Yoast or Rank Math setup had. A typical migration is 4 to 6 weeks, 8 to 12 weeks for sites with membership systems or WooCommerce, and runs $2,500 to $7,500, fixed-price. See the full WordPress migration service.
FAQs
Is a hand-coded website always better than WordPress?
No. Hand-coded is the default because it is faster and cheaper to run, but a team that needs to edit the site every day is often better served by WordPress built properly, no page-builder sprawl, no plugin you cannot remove. Same fixed price and same ownership either way.
How much does WordPress cost per month compared to a hand-coded site?
Managed WordPress hosting runs $30 to $100 a month, and security, backup, caching and SEO plugins on premium tiers add another $50 to $200 a month. A hand-coded site runs on basic static hosting for $5 to $20 a month. By year three, a WordPress site often costs more in subscription fees than a custom build would have cost from scratch.
Does Squarespace or Wix lock in my content?
You are building on their platform, so leaving means rebuilding. A hand-coded site gives you the code, the domain and the hosting account outright. Leave anytime and take everything with you.
What happens to my WordPress SEO if I switch to a hand-coded site?
Every URL that ranks for something is preserved or 301 redirected, so backlinks keep counting. Search Console gets monitored for 30 days post-launch. The new site usually ships with more comprehensive schema than Yoast or Rank Math added.
How long does moving off WordPress take?
4 to 6 weeks for a typical small business WordPress site. 8 to 12 weeks for sites with custom functionality like membership systems or WooCommerce.
What does migrating off WordPress, Wix or Squarespace cost?
Typically $2,500 to $7,500, fixed-price. The range depends on how much custom functionality and content needs to be preserved.