Next.js vs. Squarespace: Is Your Edmonton Business Outgrowing Its Website?
The Growth Ceiling: When DIY Isn't Enough
Many Edmonton entrepreneurs start their journey on platforms like Squarespace or Wix. They are fantastic "starter" tools—you can get a site live in a weekend with no coding knowledge. But as your business grows, many local owners find themselves hitting a "performance ceiling."
At Alberta Web Craft, we specialize in transitioning businesses from these "rented" platforms to custom Next.js architectures. Why? Because in 2026, the speed and flexibility of your code are direct ranking factors in Google’s refined search algorithms.
Performance Comparison: Speed is Revenue
In the Edmonton market, where users often browse on mobile while commuting or on-the-go, every millisecond matters. DIY builders carry "plugin bloat"—extra code that loads regardless of whether your site needs it.
| Feature | Squarespace / Wix | Custom Next.js (Alberta Web Craft) | | :-------------- | :------------------------ | :--------------------------------- | | Load Speed | 3.0s - 5.0s (Average) | < 1.5s (Optimized) | | SEO Control | Pre-set, limited fields | Full schema & metadata control | | Scalability | Limited to platform tools | Infinite (Custom APIs & logic) | | Ownership | "Renting" the platform | You own 100% of the code |
Pro Tip: Google's 2026 Core Web Vitals heavily penalize "Layout Shift" (CLS). Because custom Next.js sites allow us to pre-calculate image dimensions and font loading, we can achieve near-perfect stability scores that DIY builders struggle to hit.
SEO: Beyond the Meta Description
While Squarespace has made great strides in SEO, it still uses a "one-size-fits-all" approach. For a business in a competitive Edmonton industry (like Law, Real Estate, or specialized Contracting), "standard" SEO isn't enough to beat the competition.
Why Next.js Wins for SEO:
- Server-Side Rendering (SSR): We deliver fully-formed HTML to Google's crawlers instantly. They don't have to "wait" for JavaScript to load, which ensures 100% of your content is indexed.
- Dynamic Metadata: We can programmatically generate unique SEO titles for thousands of product or service pages based on user intent.
- Clean Code Structure: No unnecessary
<div>tags or bloated CSS files. This "cleanliness" makes it easier for search engines to understand the hierarchy of your content.
The "Renting" vs. "Owning" Mentality
Think of a Squarespace site like a high-end apartment in Oliver or Downtown Edmonton. It looks great, and the maintenance is handled for you, but you can’t knock down walls or add a second floor.
A custom Next.js site is like owning a lot in Glenora. You own the land (the code), and you can build exactly what your business needs—whether that’s a custom client portal, a complex booking system, or a high-speed e-commerce engine.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Is a custom site more expensive than Squarespace?
Upfront, yes. A custom build requires professional engineering. However, in the long run, you save on "app" subscription fees and benefit from much higher conversion rates due to better performance.
2. Can I still update my own content on a custom site?
Absolutely. At Alberta Web Craft, we integrate "Headless CMS" tools (like Sanity or Strapi). This gives you a simple dashboard to edit text and images without ever touching the code.
3. How long does a migration take?
A typical migration from a builder to a custom Next.js site takes 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the complexity of your current content and any new features you want to add.
Final Verdict: What is your goal for 2026?
- Choose Squarespace if: You are a solo-preneur or a new startup with a limited budget and just need a "digital business card."
- Choose Custom Next.js if: You are an established Edmonton business looking to scale, dominate local SEO, and provide a premium user experience that converts.
Is your website holding back your growth? Let's build something that belongs to you.