When building a website, many people get stuck with one big question:
“Should I use a page builder like Elementor or go for custom coding?”
If you are a freelancer, web designer, or even a business owner, this decision can impact your website’s performance, cost, flexibility, and long-term growth.
In this blog, we’ll break it down in very simple terms. No technical confusion—just real facts, pros and cons, and genuine suggestions to help you decide what’s right for you.
🔧 What is a Page Builder?
A page builder is a visual tool that allows you to design a website without writing code. You just drag and drop elements like images, buttons, text, etc.
Popular Page Builders:
- Elementor (most popular in WordPress)
- WPBakery
- Beaver Builder
- Divi
With these tools, you don’t need to know HTML, CSS, or JavaScript. Everything happens with a few clicks.
💻 What is Custom Code?
Custom coding means designing your website using programming languages like:
- HTML (structure)
- CSS (styling)
- JavaScript (interactions)
- PHP (for dynamic content in WordPress)
It gives you full control over every part of your website.
⚖️ Page Builder vs Custom Code – Full Comparison
| Feature | Page Builder | Custom Code |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Very Easy (drag & drop) | Needs technical skills |
| Speed of Development | Fast | Slower (manual work) |
| Design Freedom | Limited to builder features | Fully flexible |
| Website Speed | Slightly heavier | Lightweight and faster |
| SEO Performance | Good with proper setup | Excellent if properly coded |
| Maintenance | Easy for non-tech users | Needs developer support |
| Cost | Affordable (one-time/yearly fee) | Higher if you hire a developer |
| Scalability | Good for small-medium projects | Best for big or custom projects |
✅ Advantages of Using a Page Builder
1. No Coding Knowledge Required
Even a beginner can build a website using Elementor or Divi.
2. Saves Time
Drag-and-drop interface makes the design process super quick.
3. Built-in Features
Ready-to-use buttons, sliders, forms, animations, and much more.
4. Pre-made Templates
You can start with pre-designed pages and customize them easily.
5. Easy Updates
You don’t need a developer every time you want to change text or images.
📌 Example:
If you’re a freelancer building small business websites, using Elementor is smart. You can build 5-6 page websites quickly and focus on getting more clients.
❌ Disadvantages of Page Builders
- Slightly slower loading time
- Too many unnecessary codes (bloat)
- Limited design freedom compared to custom code
- You rely on the builder’s updates and compatibility
✅ Advantages of Using Custom Code
1. Full Control & Flexibility
You can design anything exactly the way you want – no limits.
2. Super Fast Websites
With clean code, websites load faster and perform better.
3. Better SEO & Structure
Custom-coded sites are well-optimized for Google ranking.
4. High-Quality & Unique Design
No copy-paste look — fully customized according to brand.
📌 Example:
If you’re building a large corporate site or a high-performance eCommerce website, custom coding is a better choice. It will be unique, secure, and faster.
❌ Disadvantages of Custom Code
- You need a skilled developer
- More time-consuming
- Higher initial cost
- Difficult for clients to edit without training
📊 When Should You Use a Page Builder?
✅ If you are:
- A freelancer working on small business sites
- Building websites quickly to scale your income
- Not very confident with coding
- Creating portfolio sites, blogs, agency sites, or landing pages
- Want full control without depending on developers
Then Page Builder is perfect for you.
📊 When Should You Use Custom Code?
✅ If you are:
- Working on a high-performance, custom website
- Creating a web application or complex system
- Targeting fast loading and best SEO
- Wanting a completely unique design
- A developer or agency with technical expertise
Then Custom Code is the best option.
💡 Best of Both Worlds: Hybrid Method
Many professional developers now use a combination of page builders + custom code. For example:
- Use Elementor for basic layout
- Add custom CSS or JavaScript for advanced design
- Use Custom Post Types and PHP for dynamic content
👉 This method gives you speed + flexibility without fully depending on either side.
✨ Final Verdict – What Should You Choose?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Your choice depends on:
- Project type
- Client’s budget
- Your own skills and experience
- Time constraints
If you’re just starting out or building simple websites — go with Page Builders.
If you’re experienced and working on custom or high-end projects — go with Custom Code.
Remember: It’s not about tools. It’s about results.
Choose what helps you deliver faster, better, and scalable websites for your clients.
📌 Bonus Tip:
If you’re using WordPress + Elementor, try adding a few lines of custom CSS when needed. Learn the basics of HTML/CSS to stand out from other freelancers!