There's no universally correct answer here. Builders and custom-coded sites both have their place. The honest version is more nuanced than most agencies will tell you.
When a builder is genuinely fine
If you're a freelancer, an artist, or a sole trader who needs a simple online presence with a portfolio and a contact form — a Squarespace site set up in a weekend is perfectly reasonable. For many people, it's the right call.
Where builders start to fall short
Performance. Builders generate a lot of bloated code. Tools like Google's PageSpeed Insights regularly flag them. On custom-built sites, 95+ Lighthouse scores are achievable. On most builders, 60–75 is more typical.
Uniqueness. You're choosing from the same templates as thousands of other businesses. With custom code, every decision — layout, type, colour, interaction — is yours.
Ongoing cost. Squarespace is $16–$49/month, forever, for a site you don't actually own. If the platform raises prices or shuts down, your site goes with it. Custom-built sites cost more upfront, but the ongoing cost is just hosting — typically €5–€15/month.
SEO ceiling. Custom code gives you precise control over every technical SEO factor. Builders abstract a lot of this away, which means you're often limited in what you can optimise.
The honest take
For most growing businesses — trades, hospitality, local services, small e-commerce — a custom-built site will outperform a builder on every metric that matters within 12 months. The upfront investment pays back through better rankings, better conversion, and not paying a monthly platform fee forever.
For a tiny solo side project with a tight budget? Start with a builder. You can always upgrade later.