Ships plain HTML
The finished page is ready before the visit starts.
The modern web framework Astro builds the page
Astro builds the page
before anyone visits.
It builds your site into plain HTML files up front, so there is nothing for a visitor’s browser to wait on. That means quick pages, a smaller attack surface and less ongoing maintenance.
Built for speed
Lean pages reach visitors without a heavy theme or builder.
Smaller attack surface
No public database and no plugin dashboard.
Built for search
Google measures speed, stability and mobile usability.
How the options compare
No platform is right for every job. This is the practical difference for a typical small business website.
| Question | AutoGen (Astro) | WordPress | Wix / Squarespace | Subscription builder |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Plain HTML delivered fast | Can slow under themes and plugins | Depends on platform and apps | Depends on provider |
| Security | No public database or plugin dashboard | Database and plugin updates required | Platform managed | Provider managed |
| Ownership | You own the finished site outright | Depends on contract and hosting | Tied to the platform | Cancel and the site is gone |
| Long-term cost | From £500, then hosting from month seven | Varies by build, hosting and maintenance | Varies by plan and apps | Ongoing rental; total depends on provider |
| Who can edit it | AutoGen; an editing system can be added when needed | Owner or developer | Owner inside the platform | Owner inside the platform |
| SEO foundation | Fast output, clean structure and schema | Strong when configured and maintained well | Platform tools available | Depends on provider |
Isn’t static limiting?
Not for a normal business website. Contact forms, chat, galleries and booking links all work. Where a feature genuinely needs live interaction, React runs as a focused island instead of taking over the whole page.
- Contact forms
- AI chatbot add-on
- Photo galleries
- Booking links
- Interactive postcode checks
Honest limits
Sometimes Astro is not the right fit.
If you need a full e-commerce catalogue with hundreds of products or daily self-serve blogging, say so. We will tell you if the project needs a different tool. A good recommendation matters more than forcing every job into the same stack.
Already have a website?
Move to Astro through a careful redesign.
Keep useful content and URLs, improve the structure and replace the old technical foundation.
Want a site without the bloat?
Free 15-minute consultation. Honest advice, no hard sell.