"How can I escape Wix? Should I cancel my site altogether and start a new one?"
"They 'own' my website and I have no control over it, besides through Wix."
"With Wix/Squarespace you're locked on those platforms once you start..."

These are real questions from real small business owners who discovered too late that their AI website builder had become their digital prison. If you're considering an AI website builder - or already using one - this guide will show you exactly what to expect when it comes to getting your website out, and how to make smarter choices from the start.

The Uncomfortable Truth About Website "Ownership"

Here's what most AI website builders don't tell you upfront: you might not actually own your website in any meaningful way. While you own the content you create, the underlying structure, design, and functionality often remain locked within their proprietary systems.

Think of it like renting a fully furnished apartment. Sure, you can move your personal belongings when you leave, but the furniture, the layout, even the plumbing - that all stays behind. When you "export" from most platforms, you're essentially moving out with just your clothes and photos, then having to rebuild everything else from scratch.

This isn't an accident. It's a business model designed around customer retention through technical dependency.

The Export Reality Check: Platform by Platform

Let's cut through the marketing speak and look at what you can actually take with you:

Wix: The Digital Dead End

Export capabilities: Virtually none
Wix sites are built on proprietary technology that simply cannot function outside their ecosystem. There's no HTML/CSS export, no database backup, no way to extract your site's structure or design. Users report that even trying to manually copy content results in broken layouts and missing functionality.

What you can save: Your text content (by copy-pasting), images (by downloading individually), and your domain name (if you own it separately).
What you lose: Everything else - design, layout, forms, integrations, SEO settings, and any custom functionality.

Squarespace: Limited Content Rescue

Export capabilities: WordPress XML only
Squarespace offers a basic WordPress import file that includes your blog posts and pages, but strips away everything that makes your site look and function the way it does.

What you can save: Written content, basic page structure, some media files.
What you lose: All design elements, custom CSS, JavaScript functionality, e-commerce data, form submissions, and advanced features.

Webflow: The Export Champion

Export capabilities: Full code export
Webflow stands out by providing clean, production-ready HTML, CSS, and JavaScript that works independently of their platform.

What you can save: Complete website structure, all styling, responsive design, animations, and interactions.
What you lose: CMS content management, hosting dashboard features, and e-commerce functionality.

The Hidden Costs of Platform Lock-In

Based on industry analysis, getting trapped in the wrong platform can cost you:

Financial Impact:

• Migration costs: $250-$5,000+ depending on complexity

• Lost time: 20-50% of your original investment

• Opportunity costs: Missing out on better tools and features

Business Impact:

• SEO ranking losses during migration

• Broken links and lost traffic

• Customer confusion during transition

• Delayed growth while rebuilding

Emotional Impact:

• Frustration with starting over

• Feeling trapped and powerless

• Regret over platform choice

• Stress about future flexibility

Your Escape Routes: What Actually Works

If you're already locked into a platform, here are your realistic options:

Option 1: The Manual Migration

Cost: Your time + new platform fees
Difficulty: High
Success rate: Moderate

This involves manually recreating your site on a new platform using screenshots as reference and copy-pasting content. It's time-consuming but gives you complete control over the outcome.

Option 2: Professional Migration Services

Cost: $500-$3,000+
Difficulty: Low (for you)
Success rate: High

Migration specialists can handle the technical heavy lifting, though they can't work miracles with completely locked platforms like Wix.

Option 3: Hybrid Approach

Cost: $100-$500
Difficulty: Medium
Success rate: Good

Use automated tools where possible (for content extraction) combined with manual design recreation for unique elements.

Option 4: Start Fresh with Lessons Learned

Cost: New platform + your time
Difficulty: Medium
Success rate: Excellent

Sometimes the cleanest solution is starting over with a portable platform, using your existing site as a reference.

Red Flags: How to Spot a Lock-In Trap

Before committing to any AI website builder, ask these questions:
🚩 Can I download my complete website? If they say "you don't need to" or redirect to hosting features, that's a red flag.
🚩 Do they provide HTML/CSS export? Proprietary platforms often avoid mentioning technical limitations upfront.
🚩 What happens if I stop paying? If your site disappears entirely rather than just losing premium features, you don't own anything.
🚩 Can I connect my own domain? Domain ownership is your lifeline to maintaining your online presence.
🚩 Are there setup fees for leaving? Some platforms charge "migration fees" or make cancellation deliberately difficult.

The Smart Alternative: Choosing Freedom from Day One

The best migration is the one you never need to do. When evaluating AI website builders, prioritize these features:

Non-negotiable requirements:

• Clean code export capabilities

• Standard HTML/CSS/JavaScript output

• Database export functionality

• Full media file downloads

• Domain name portability

Bonus features that matter:

• WordPress compatibility

• Open source integrations

• API access for custom development

• Third-party hosting options

Why We're Building Mysite.ai Differently

We've seen too many small business owners get trapped by platforms that prioritize retention over user freedom. That's why we're designing Mysite.ai with portability in mind from day one.

Our commitment to your freedom:

• Domain independence: Your domain always belongs to you - this is available today

• Transparent policies: No hidden lock-in fees or technical barriers to leaving

• Standard web technologies: We build using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript that works anywhere

• User-first philosophy: We succeed when you succeed - not when you're trapped

While we're still building out our full export features, we're committed to transparency about what's available now versus what's coming soon.

Your Migration Action Plan

If you're currently trapped:

1. Document everything: Take screenshots, note all features you use

2. Export what you can: Save all content and media files

3. Research your new platform carefully (use the red flags checklist above)

4. Plan your migration timeline to minimize business disruption

5. Consider professional help for complex sites

If you're choosing a new platform:

1. Test export capabilities before committing

2. Start with a simple site to verify portability

3. Keep your domain registration separate

4. Maintain regular backups of exportable content

5. Read the fine print about cancellation and data access

The Bottom Line

Platform lock-in isn't just a technical inconvenience - it's a business risk that can limit your growth and cost you thousands in the long run. The question isn't whether you'll ever want to change platforms, but whether you'll have the freedom to do so when the time comes.

Your website should be an asset that grows with your business, not a liability that holds you back. Choose platforms that respect your ownership, plan for portability from the beginning, and never let convenience today become a trap tomorrow.

Ready to build your website the right way? Mysite.ai gives you the power of AI website creation with the freedom of complete ownership. Create your site in minutes, export it anytime, and never worry about lock-in again.

Start Your Free Website →

No credit card required. No lock-in. No regrets.