Honest comparison
Nerd Prescribed vs Wix — when each one is actually the right call.
Wix gets you online fast. I get you a site that can grow, convert, and survive without you babysitting it. Here is how to tell which you need.
What this comparison covers.
A side-by-side comparison of Wix (a hosted DIY website builder) and Nerd Prescribed (a custom Next.js web development service), covering use cases, ownership, performance, and three-year cost.
Who it's for.
Solopreneurs deciding whether to build it themselves on Wix or hire a developer for a custom site.
What it costs.
Wix runs €17–€159/month (plan + apps). A Nerd Prescribed one-page site starts at €900 one-time, with optional maintenance from €500/month.
Bottom line.
If you need a page up today on a tight budget, use Wix. If you need speed, ownership, and a site that does not cost more every year, come to me.
DIY builder
Wix is the right call when…
You need it live by Friday
Wix is genuinely fast to get started — drag, drop, publish. If the deadline is the only goal, it wins on speed.
Budget is under €500 total
For very early-stage testing, a €17/month Wix site is a reasonable proof-of-concept before investing in a proper build.
You want to run the site yourself, permanently
If you enjoy tinkering with the editor and want full editorial control without involving a developer, Wix's no-code approach suits that preference.
The site is genuinely temporary
Event pages, pop-up projects, or placeholders with a known end date — Wix's low switching cost makes sense here.
Custom build
Pick Nerd Prescribed when…
You are sending anyone important to this URL
Investors, press, clients comparing you to alternatives — a custom site signals that you take the business seriously.
Page speed is part of your SEO strategy
Wix pages routinely score below 50 on Lighthouse mobile. Next.js with proper caching scores 90+. That gap shows up in rankings.
You want to own the asset outright
I hand over the full source code, the hosting, the domain access, everything. Wix keeps your content inside their platform — you cannot export a working site.
You plan to still be running it in year three
Wix subscriptions compound with app costs. A one-time build with optional monthly care is often cheaper over three years.
The site needs to do something Wix cannot
Custom animations, server actions, booking logic, Stripe subscriptions, or any bespoke feature — Wix templates do not bend that far.
Pricing
How the costs compare
Wix
Subscription model — €17–€159/mo, plus third-party apps for email marketing, bookings, and SEO tools.
Nerd Prescribed
One-off €900–€1,800 for a one-page site. Optional €500/mo care plan. No platform lock-in.
| Dimension | Wix | Nerd Prescribed |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 totalWix core plan + typical apps | €204–€1,908+ | €900–€1,800 (one-time) |
| Year 2 cumulativeWix costs double; Nerd Prescribed does not | €408–€3,816+ | €900–€1,800 (no recurring fee) |
| Year 3 cumulative | €612–€5,724+ | €900–€1,800 (or + optional care plan) |
| Platform lock-in | Yes — content stays in Wix | None — you own the code |
| Lighthouse mobile score | Typically 30–60 | Typically 90–100 |
| Custom features | Template limits apply | No limit — custom code |
Prices ex-VAT. Irish VAT (23%) applies to clients based in Ireland. Wix pricing based on published rates 2026-04 — verify current pricing at their website.
Common questions
Can I migrate my existing Wix site to Nerd Prescribed?
Yes — I can rebuild your existing Wix content as a proper Next.js site. You keep your domain, your copy, and your brand; I rebuild the engine underneath. Migration typically takes 2–4 weeks depending on scope.
Is a custom site really better for SEO than Wix?
In practice, yes. Wix generates heavier pages with more JavaScript overhead than a hand-coded Next.js site. Core Web Vitals — the page speed signals Google uses for ranking — are consistently better on custom builds. I also set up structured data, sitemaps, and canonical URLs correctly from day one.
What happens to my Wix site while you build the new one?
Nothing — it stays live until we are ready to flip DNS. You run both in parallel, review the new site on a staging URL, and only switch over when you are happy. Zero downtime.
I like that Wix handles hosting for me. Do you?
Yes — hosting on Vercel is included in the care plan (€500/mo). If you do not want ongoing care, I point you at a free Vercel tier that handles most small sites for nothing, or help you migrate to any host you prefer.
Wix is cheaper upfront. Is the custom site worth the difference?
It depends on the time horizon. If you are testing an idea for six months, Wix is cheaper. If you are building a site you plan to keep and grow, the custom build pays off in year two — lower recurring costs, better performance, and an asset you own outright.
Last reviewed: April 2026
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