Templates get you online. Custom code gets you ahead. Here's where the drag-and-drop approach breaks down — and where it still makes sense.
Fully custom. Every component built to your exact spec — no compromises, no workarounds
Limited to template options and plugins. Custom needs mean hacking around the platform
Next.js with static generation, edge rendering, and optimized assets. Sub-second page loads
Bloated with platform scripts, third-party plugins, and tracking code. Typically 3-8 second load times
Full control over meta tags, structured data, sitemaps, canonical URLs, and Core Web Vitals
Basic meta tags available. Limited structured data, no control over rendering strategy or technical SEO
Deployed on Vercel edge network. Handles traffic spikes without thinking about it
Platform-dependent. Heavy traffic or complex features often require expensive plan upgrades
Vercel free tier or €20/mo for most sites. No platform tax
€12-50/mo for the platform, plus premium plugins, plus email, plus e-commerce add-ons. Costs compound
You own the entire codebase. Move it anywhere, host it anywhere, modify anything
You own your content but not the platform. Moving off means rebuilding from scratch
1-2 weeks for a custom site. Slightly longer than templates, but the result is yours forever
Can be live in hours. Fastest option if you need something online today
Add any feature — dashboards, APIs, integrations, auth. No platform ceiling
Eventually you hit the wall. Complex logic, custom APIs, or real interactivity means starting over
Templates work for simple brochure sites where speed and cost matter more than performance or control. Once you need real performance, custom logic, or serious SEO, you'll outgrow them fast — and migrating off a platform is always harder than starting custom.
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