Template site builders — SaaS platforms where hundreds of thousands of sites share the same codebase — have genuine advantages: fast launch, low initial cost, no server management. But for companies with growth ambitions, the trade-offs compound over time.
Brand differentiation erodes when competitors can adopt the same template. SEO customisation is constrained by the platform's architecture. Data portability is often locked — migrating away means rebuilding from scratch. And monthly fees that seem trivial at first become significant at scale.
Custom development costs more upfront but delivers an asset the business owns outright, with the flexibility to evolve as the company's needs change.