You’ve seen the ads. Build a website for free! No coding required! Launch in minutes!

Sounds perfect, right?

Here’s what they don’t tell you in those slick commercials: “Free” is just the appetizer. The bill comes later—and it’s steep.

I’m not here to bash these platforms just to bash them. Some have their place. But after 12 years building websites and watching businesses struggle with these “solutions,” I need to pull back the curtain.

Because that $0 signup is costing you way more than you think.

The Bait-and-Switch Model

Let’s be honest about what “free” actually means:

It means:

  • A subdomain that screams “I’m cheap” (yourcompany.theirsite.com)
  • Ads on YOUR website promoting THEIR platform
  • Severely limited functionality that makes your site look amateur
  • No real SEO capability
  • Can’t connect your own domain without paying

The trap? You invest hours building your site, then realize you need to upgrade just to look legitimate. Now you’re locked in because starting over sounds worse than paying up.

They’re counting on it.

The Real Numbers (That Add Up Fast)

Let’s break down what “free” actually costs when you want your website to function like a real business tool:

Wix:

  • Basic plan (remove ads, connect domain): $16/month
  • Need ecommerce? $27/month minimum
  • Want better SEO tools? $32/month
  • Premium support when things break? Extra.
  • Annual cost: $192-$384+ (and climbing)

Squarespace:

  • Personal plan: $16/month
  • Business (for actual business features): $23/month
  • Commerce: $27-$49/month
  • Annual cost: $192-$588+

WordPress.com (not self-hosted):

  • Personal (custom domain): $4/month
  • Premium (plugins, design): $8/month
  • Business (actual functionality): $25/month
  • eCommerce: $45/month
  • Annual cost: $48-$540+

And these prices? They keep going up. Just like your cable bill.

(Want to know why WordPress works great for blogs but fails as a business website? I break down the full story there.)

But Wait—There’s More (Always More)

Those platform fees? Just the beginning.

Add-ons you’ll “need”:

  • Email marketing integration: $10-50/month
  • Appointment booking: $10-30/month
  • Advanced analytics: $10-25/month
  • Extra storage: $5-15/month
  • Logo maker: $20-50 one-time
  • Premium templates: $50-150 one-time
  • SSL certificate (wait, isn’t that standard now?): Sometimes extra
  • Priority support: $5-20/month

Suddenly your “free” website is costing $400-800+ per year. And you’re still stuck with:

  • Slow load times (because you’re on shared infrastructure with millions)
  • Limited design flexibility (templates only go so far)
  • SEO handicaps (their structure, their rules)
  • No real ownership (break their TOS, lose your site)

These are just a few of the website mistakes costing businesses customers every day.

The Hidden Cost They Never Mention: Opportunity

Here’s the real kicker—the cost that doesn’t show up on any invoice:

What you lose:

  • Customers who bounce because your site loads like molasses (I’ve written about why sub-2-second load times matter for conversions)
  • Search rankings you’ll never get with platform limitations
  • Credibility when your site looks like everyone else’s template
  • Time fighting with drag-and-drop builders instead of running your business
  • Freedom to switch providers without rebuilding from scratch

A slow, limited website isn’t neutral. It’s actively costing you business.

What Are You Actually Paying For?

Here’s the thing about recurring costs—they’re not inherently bad. It’s about what you’re getting.

Platform subscriptions buy you:

  • Rent (you never own the code)
  • Shared servers (slow speeds, no control)
  • Template limitations (looks like everyone else)
  • Platform rules (their way or the highway)
  • Add-on dependency (every feature costs extra)
  • Zero portability (locked in forever)

Professional maintenance buys you:

  • Protection of an asset you OWN
  • Real support from an actual developer
  • Performance optimization as needed
  • Security updates and monitoring
  • Content changes when you need them
  • Direct communication (no ticket systems)

The difference? One is rent with no equity. The other is service protecting your investment.

“But It’s So Easy!”

Yeah, at first.

Then you hit the walls:

  • Can’t customize that one thing that would make it perfect
  • Need to integrate with your specific system (nope, not supported)
  • Want to improve load speed (stuck with their servers)
  • Try to implement advanced SEO (limited by platform)
  • Need something custom (hire a developer anyway, but now they’re fighting platform limitations)

Easy until it’s not. Then it’s expensive AND frustrating.

The Math Doesn’t Lie

3-year cost comparison:

“Free” Website Builder Path:

  • Platform subscription: $600-900
  • Add-ons & integrations: $300-600
  • Premium templates/assets: $100-200
  • Developer help (when you hit walls): $500-1,000
  • Lost opportunity (customers, rankings): ???
  • Total: $1,400-2,700+ (and you STILL don’t own it)

Custom-Coded Website:

  • Initial investment: $750-2,500 (one-time) – see my services
  • Hosting: $10-30/month ($360-1,080 over 3 years)
  • Maintenance: $150/month if you want ongoing support ($5,400 over 3 years)
  • Total: $6,510-9,980 (but you OWN the code, it’s FAST, and it actually works)

Wait—that’s more expensive!

But here’s what you’re comparing:

Renting a limitation-riddled platform for 3 years: $1,400-2,700 Owning a professional asset that converts customers for 3 years: $6,510-9,980

One is paying rent. The other is building equity.

Which one is actually growing your business?

Businesses that invest big money in platforms? They’re not immune either. I’ve seen your $15,000 WordPress website lose customers just as fast as a “free” one.

What “Ownership” Actually Means

With a custom site, you own:

  • Your code
  • Your design
  • Your content structure
  • Your data
  • Your destiny

With a platform, you’re renting. Forever.

They change the rules? You comply or leave (and lose everything). They raise prices? You pay or rebuild. They shut down a feature? Tough luck. They get acquired? Hope the new company cares.

You’re building your business on rented land.

So What’s the Alternative?

I’m obviously biased—I build custom websites. But hear me out:

What $750-2,500 gets you with custom code:

  • Sub-2-second load times (not 4-8 seconds like typical builders)
  • Design that actually fits YOUR brand (not Template #47)
  • SEO built correctly from day one
  • Code you own, forever
  • Direct access to the developer (no corporate runaround)
  • No platform dependency

More importantly:

  • A website that actually converts visitors into customers
  • Rankings that bring you consistent traffic
  • Professional credibility that matches your expertise
  • Freedom to scale, change, and adapt as YOU see fit
  • An asset that grows in value, not a rental agreement

The Real Question

It’s not “Can I afford a custom website?”

It’s “Can I afford to keep renting a limited platform that’s costing me customers I’ll never know about?”

The Bottom Line

“Free” website builders aren’t scams—they’re entry points designed to get you hooked on platform dependency and recurring rental fees.

For a hobby blog? Maybe fine.

For your actual business that pays your bills and supports your family?

You deserve to own your digital presence, not rent it.

Ready to Stop Renting Your Business Website?

If you’re tired of platform limitations, slow load times, and template designs that look like everyone else’s—let’s talk.

Book Your Free Website Strategy Call and I’ll show you exactly what’s possible when you actually own your website.

Or stay on the rental plan and keep hoping things improve.

Your choice.

Final Thought:

The most expensive website you’ll ever own is the one you’re still renting after 5 years.

Related Reading:

P.S. – Already trapped in a platform and want out? I help with website migrations too. Bring your content, leave the rental agreement behind. Schedule your website rescue call here.