Should you hire a web developer or just build your own site with Wix?

If you've ever asked yourself this while running your business here in the Rio Grande Valley, you're not alone! Whether you're based in McAllen, Pharr, Edinburg, or anywhere in between, we've seen plenty of small business owners try to DIY their websites on Wix, only to get stuck or frustrated later.

It's not that Wix is bad. In fact, it's gotten pretty good at making things easy for folks who just want something online and fast. But here's the truth: when you want a website that actually works for your business, that's where a web developer makes all the difference.

Let's break it down.

1. Cost: Cheap Isn't Always Cheap

Wix plans start at $16/month. That sounds fantastic, right? But what many people don't realize is:

• You still have to do everything yourself: layout, content, forms, SEO, branding
• You may need to pay extra for custom domains, apps, or email integration
• Your time isn't free

Hiring a web developer might cost more up front, buy you get a tailored, done-for-you website that's built to serve your goals from day one.

2. Design: Templates vs Tailored

Wix may offer templates, but so does everyone else! If you've ever visited a site and thought "I've seen a similar layout before," chances are it was made on a drag-and-drop builder. Web developers can create something unique to your brand, your customers, and your vision.

Need to stand out from your competitors in the RGV? A custom site does that.

3. Functionality: What Happens When You Need More?

Wix works until it doesn't. We've had clients come to us after outgrowing their DIY site who stated they needed:

• Booking Systems
• Event Calendars
• Blog Layouts
• E-Commerce Setup
• Contact Forms that actually work

They hit a wall and a web developer can build what you need now and what you'll need later as your business grows.

4. SEO & Visibility

Wix has some SEO tools available, but it's not built for performance the way custom sites are.

A web developer knows how to:

• Optimize your sites speed
• Write clean URLs
• Set up metadata
• Structure your page for local search (yes, Google cares if you say "McAllen plumber" vs just "plumber"

If your customers are searching on Google and you're not showing up, your website isn't working for you.

5. Support & Peace of Mind

Let's be honest, when something breaks on Wix, you're stuck Googling forum threads at 11pm and watching a ton of videos on Youtube.

Working with a local developer means:

• You'll have someone to call when things go wrong
• You don't have to stress over any updates or plugin errors
• You'll have a real person in your corner, not a chatbot.

So... Should You Build It Yourself or Hire a Developer?

Here's the short version. If you're just needing something quick and temporary, Wix could absolutely do the trick but if you care about growing your brand, showing up online, and making your business look as good as it actually is, you'll want a developer.

At Bordertown Digital, we work with small businesses all across the Rio Grande Valley to build clean, fast, SEO-ready websites that don't just look good, they work hard for you.

Let's Chat

Still unsure what you need? No biggy. Let's talk about your business goals and figure out the best path forwards together. Even if that means starting small, you can contact us here, or just reach out via phone or socials. We're local, we get it, and we're totally here to help.