Last updated: 23 October 2026 · By Maurice, freeehouse team · About 3 minutes to read
Why do businesses leave WordPress?
The most common reason is upkeep. Often someone set the site up years ago and can no longer be reached. Updates pile up, extensions go out of date, and the business does not know who to ask. On top come licence fees that are charged every year, and sites that have become slow because of many extensions.
What alternatives are there?
| Alternative | Maintenance | Site is yours | Price according to provider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wix | Provider | no, no export | from €14 per month, annual, plus tax |
| Jimdo | Provider | no | from €12 per month over 12 months |
| Squarespace | Provider | no, partial export | from €13.09 per month, yearly |
| IONOS or STRATO website builder | Provider | no | after the promotion €18 or €12 per month |
| WordPress.com | Provider | yes, export possible | from US$4 per month, yearly, excl. tax |
| Managed website | Service provider | depends on contract | depends on provider |
Prices according to the providers' pages, viewed on 22 and 23 October 2026.
What do I give up when I switch to a website builder?
Above all ownership. A self-hosted WordPress site can be moved to any host. According to Wix's help pages, a Wix site cannot be exported, and a Squarespace site only in part. There is also less freedom with features: what the builder does not offer, you do not get. In return, the maintenance is gone.
What about WordPress.com?
WordPress.com is a middle way: WordPress, but the provider takes over the hosting. Content can be exported. Billing is in dollars. For many businesses it is a sensible option if they know WordPress and just want to be rid of the hosting.
When is a managed website better?
When you want neither to tinker nor to maintain and still want the site to belong to you. Make sure the contract says you own the source code and content and get them free of charge when you cancel. Otherwise you swap WordPress maintenance for a new dependence.
Do I lose my posts and rankings when I switch?
Not if the move is done properly. All content is carried over, and every old address is redirected with a 301 redirect to the matching new page. In one of our moves in October 2026 that was over 5,000 old addresses. More in the guide Move your website without losing rankings.
freeehouse rebuilds your WordPress site, carries over all posts and redirects old addresses. The site belongs to you with its source code, upkeep is included in the hosting, and the hosting is cheaper than today. How freeehouse works
When is the right time to switch?
When bigger jobs are due anyway, such as an update to a new PHP version, a new template or the renewal of expensive licences. Then you compare the effort of carrying on with a clean rebuild.
Frequently asked questions
What is simpler than WordPress?
Builders such as Jimdo or Wix are easier to use because the provider handles the technology. In return, the site does not belong to you there.
Can I move from WordPress to Wix?
Yes, the content is carried over and the site is rebuilt at Wix. Watch out for redirects of the old addresses.
Will I lose my Google rankings when I switch?
Not if every old address is redirected by 301 to the matching new page. Still, nobody can guarantee rankings.
Is there WordPress without maintenance?
With WordPress.com, the provider handles the hosting and the system updates. Extensions and content remain your job.
Sources
- WordPress.com: Preise, accessed 23 October 2026
- WordPress Developer: Hardening WordPress, accessed 23 October 2026
- Wix Help Center: Exporting or embedding your Wix site elsewhere, accessed 23 October 2026
- Squarespace Help: Exporting your site, accessed 23 October 2026
- Google Search Central: Website-Umzug mit URL-Änderungen, accessed 23 October 2026
Providers' prices and terms change often. What counts is what's in your customer account and your contract. Not legal advice.
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