Wix vs. Squarespace vs. Hand-Coded: What’s Best for Phoenix Small Biz?
If you’re a small business owner in Phoenix, you’ve likely seen the ads for Wix, Squarespace, or GoDaddy Website Builder. They promise a stunning website in minutes for a few dollars a month.
For a hobbyist or a personal blog, these tools are fantastic. But for a business trying to compete in the crowded Phoenix market? They can be a trap.
1. You Rent, You Don't Own
When you build on Wix or Squarespace, you are renting their platform. You cannot take your code with you. If they raise their prices (which they do regularly) or change their terms, you are stuck. If you leave, you lose your website.
With a hand-coded site from 602 Marketing, you own the assets.
2. The "Generic" Look
Have you ever visited a website and felt like you’ve seen it a hundred times before? That’s the template effect. In competitive industries like Real Estate or Law, blending in is the same as being invisible. Custom coding allows for unique branding, animations, and layouts that templates simply cannot support.
3. The SEO Ceiling
Builders generate messy code. They wrap simple text in layers of <div> tags that
confuse search engines. While you can rank a Wix site, it is like running a race with a backpack full of
rocks. You have to work twice as hard to get the same result as a clean, custom site.
The Cost Comparison
Surprisingly, a custom site isn't always more expensive.
- Wix Business Plan: ~$25-$35/month + Transaction Fees + App fees.
- 602 Marketing Growth Suite: Affordable monthly flat rate with zero transaction fees and maintenance included.