✨ Is Duda Right for You?
What it is: Agency-focused website builder with white-label capabilities, client management tools, and multi-site workflows—built for web professionals managing 5-500 client sites.
Best for: Digital agencies, freelance web designers, SaaS platforms, and hosting companies that build/manage sites for clients. The platform assumes you're billing clients, not building your own site.
Main limitation: No free plan and pricing starts higher than consumer builders. You're locked into template structures—creative freedom hits walls when you push beyond preset layouts.
Get it if: You're an agency managing multiple client sites and need white-label branding, client permissions, team collaboration, and reusable templates. The efficiency gains pay for premium pricing.
Skip it if: You're building a single personal site, need extensive blogging features, want total design freedom, or prefer WordPress-level customization. Duda serves agencies, not individuals.
🎯 Why Duda?
Most website builders target individuals ("build YOUR website!"). Duda flips this—it's built for professionals building OTHER people's websites at scale. This creates massive efficiencies if you're an agency, but feels expensive and over-engineered if you're just building one site.
🏷️ Real White-Label Platform
Your clients never see "Duda" anywhere. Custom branding on the platform itself, client login portals, support pages, even automated emails. Add your logo and colors, done. Most "white-label" builders just remove branding from the live site. Duda rebrands the entire backend so you look like you built proprietary software.
⚡ Build Sites 50-60% Faster
Reusable templates and sections mean your second client site takes 1-2 hours instead of 8. The Agency plan includes 4 sites; additional sites cost $17/month. At 10 client sites, you're paying roughly $68 monthly ($52 Agency plan + 6 extra sites at $17 each) for unlimited bandwidth and storage—versus managing 10 separate Wix/Squarespace subscriptions.
🔧 Client Management Built In
Client portal access with granular permissions. They can edit content but not break your design. Site comments let clients leave feedback directly on pages without email chains. Stats dashboard shows their traffic automatically. This eliminates separate client management software for most agencies.
🚀 Ranked #1 in Google Core Web Vitals
Duda sites load faster than competitors because the platform controls everything—no bloated plugins, no theme conflicts, no surprise performance issues. Your client sites rank better in Google without extra optimization work. Sites are hosted on AWS alongside Netflix and Facebook.
📈 What Duda Agencies Typically Achieve
Client Deployment Speed Transforms Economics
That client site that took 12 hours to build? Now takes 2 hours via template duplication. You're deploying 3-4 sites weekly instead of struggling with one. The speed advantage means agencies take on more clients without hiring additional designers. One account manager handles hundreds of sites instead of dozens.
White-Label Builds Agency Credibility
Clients log into yourAgency.com, not Duda. Automated emails show your branding. Support pages reference your company. This positions you as a technology provider, not a Duda reseller. Agencies charge $2K-$5K per site while paying Duda $17/month per additional site—the margins justify premium pricing.
Client Self-Service Reduces Support Burden
Granular permissions let clients edit their own content without breaking your design. They upload blog posts, swap images, update hours—things that used to generate support tickets. Agencies save 5-10 hours weekly on client content updates. The permission system prevents disasters while enabling independence.
Performance Wins Client Retention
Sites ranking #1 in Core Web Vitals load under 1 second and convert better. When clients see traffic increases and faster page speeds versus their old sites, they don't churn. The performance advantage becomes your retention tool—clients stay because their sites actually work.
Where You'll Hit Agency Limits
Complex custom designs require workarounds or external development. No app marketplace means feature gaps need custom solutions. Blogging capabilities lag WordPress—content-heavy clients need different platforms. The per-site pricing model costs more than WordPress multisite at 50+ client sites. Template similarity means your client sites look somewhat similar unless you invest heavily in customization.
💡 Here's what works: Use Duda for straightforward business sites (local services, small retailers, professional services) where template structure fits. Send complex projects (large eCommerce, content publishers, custom web apps) to WordPress/Webflow. Duda shines at 5-50 client sites; beyond that, economics shift toward WordPress multisite or custom solutions.
🛠️ How Duda Works
The workflow centers on template creation, client deployment, and permission management—very different from consumer builders.
Initial Setup for Agencies
Sign up for 14-day trial (full White Label features included). Build your first template site with branding, layout, reusable sections. This becomes your master template. Add your agency logo/colors to white-label the platform. Set up team member access with role permissions (designer, developer, client manager). Connect payment gateways, analytics, third-party integrations once—they carry to all client sites.
Creating Client Sites
Duplicate your template (takes 30 seconds). Customize content for new client—swap text, images, colors. Add client-specific pages or sections. Invite client with restricted permissions (they can edit content, not design). Each site is independent but shares your template structure. Sites take 1-3 hours to deploy versus 8-12 hours building from scratch.
Managing Multiple Sites
Dashboard shows all client sites in one view. Bulk actions let you update templates across multiple sites simultaneously. Dynamic pages pull data from Google Sheets, Airtable, or databases—update one spreadsheet, change hundreds of pages. Client billing tools track usage, send invoices, manage subscriptions. Team members see only sites assigned to them.
Client Handoff
Grant client editor access with precise controls: can edit text but not delete sections, can upload images but not change layouts, can view stats but not site settings. Client logs into your branded portal (yourAgency.com, not Duda). They leave comments directly on pages—you get notifications. You maintain design integrity while clients update their own content.
Advanced Workflows
API access (Agency plan+) automates site creation from your CRM. Build custom widgets with the native widget builder. Export sites as HTML/CSS for migration (Agency plan+). Dynamic content personalizes pages based on visitor location, device, or behavior. Automated site backups prevent client mistakes from destroying work.
⚙️ Core Features That Matter for Agencies
🎨 Template System
Hundreds of responsive templates across industries. All templates mobile-first (desktop adapts, not vice versa). Templates feel similar—same underlying structure, different styling. You can't import external templates or access full source code (except via site export on Agency plan). The constraint forces clean, fast sites but creative designers feel limited.
👥 Team Collaboration
Unlimited team members on White Label plan (6 on Agency, 3 on Team, 1 on Basic). Role-based permissions: developer, designer, content editor, client. Real-time editing shows who's working on what section. Site comments replace email threads—stakeholders leave feedback inline. Version history lets you revert changes when clients break things.
🏷️ White-Label Capabilities
Platform branding: Replace Duda with your agency name/logo throughout. Client portals: yourAgency.com login (requires custom domain). Support pages: Unbranded help documentation. Email templates: Automated client emails show your branding. Custom CSS/HTML for advanced white-labeling. Available on White Label plan ($149/month) and Custom plans.
📊 SEO & Performance
Built-in SEO advisor suggests optimizations. Per-page meta titles, descriptions, URLs. Schema markup auto-generation for local businesses. Sitemap auto-updates. 99.99% uptime SLA. Sites typically load under 1 second. Automatic image optimization. SSL certificates included on all sites. Mobile-first indexing ready.
🛒 eCommerce
Native store on all plans with product limits: 10 products Basic, 500 Team/Agency, unlimited White Label/Custom. Payment gateways: Stripe, PayPal, or custom integration. Inventory tracking, variants (size/color), shipping rules. No transaction fees from Duda (you pay payment processor fees only). Abandoned cart recovery on higher plans.
🔗 Integrations & API
Native integrations: Google Analytics, Search Console, Facebook Pixel, Mailchimp. API access on Agency plan+ lets you automate workflows: create sites via CRM triggers, sync client data bidirectionally, generate AI content programmatically. Dynamic pages connect to Google Sheets, Airtable, external databases. Zapier requires Team plan minimum.
🚀 Quick Win: Build one template site perfectly, then duplicate it for all clients. The time you invest in the template pays back 10x when deploying client sites in 1-2 hours instead of 8-12. Most agencies break even on Duda costs by client #3.
📊 The Verdict: Agency Specialist Not Consumer Builder
Overall Rating: 8.5/10 - Duda excels at agency workflows (white-label, multi-site management, client collaboration) but costs too much and offers too little creative freedom for individual users or single-site projects.
Bottom Line: Choose Duda when you're an agency managing 5+ client sites and need white-label branding, client permissions, and fast deployment. The platform pays for itself through efficiency gains and per-site economics beat competitors. Skip it for personal sites, extensive blogs, or if you need WordPress-level customization. Duda serves agencies brilliantly but individuals poorly.
💬 What Users Say: Agency Love, Individual Frustration
User ratings: 4.6/5 on G2 (410 reviews), 4.7/5 on Capterra (280 reviews).
👍 Pros: What Agencies Love
- Agency Workflows Actually Work: "I love Duda for its strong focus on supporting agencies, which was apparent from the moment I started using it," G2 reviewer states. "Transitioning from other platforms like Squarespace and Wix, I was delighted to discover how easily Duda managed to overcome the limitations I faced with those platforms."
- Scaling is Real: "Duda's robust automation and API features allowed our agency to scale from managing 10 websites to hundreds," verified user reports. "The platform's dynamic pages, SEO tools, and templating system make site building incredibly efficient."
- Speed Delivers: "You could 100% get a website up within a day using Duda," tester confirms. Sites deploy 50-60% faster than building from scratch thanks to reusable templates and sections.
- Support Responds: "I'd like to highlight Duda's support team, which is always responsive and often resolves issues within a day," Capterra user notes. Priority support on Agency+ plans includes phone scheduling.
👎 Cons: Common Frustrations
- Pricing Hurts Individuals: "Right up front the cost, no free plan, so we lost money trying," Capterra reviewer explains. "It's very expensive since you have to buy website packages," another adds. At $19-59/month minimum, Duda costs 2-3x consumer builders.
- Customization Hits Walls: "It's very much a case of not going outside the bounds of what the template allows you to do, because you will end up hitting a wall," tester reports. "The only issue i found was the limited customisation options," SoftwareAdvice user confirms.
- No App Store: "The other issue was apps at the time there was only wix and weebly and Duda was limited in this respect," verified reviewer states. Unlike competitors, Duda has no app marketplace—what's built in is what you get.
- Template Variety Limited: "I wish they had more templates. The ones they have seem similar once you get past colors and fonts," G2 user notes. Hundreds of templates exist but share similar underlying structures.
🚫 3 Critical Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Choosing Duda for Personal/Single Sites
You need one website for your own business. Duda charges $19-59/month for features you don't need (white-label branding, client permissions, team collaboration). You're paying agency premiums for individual use. Squarespace or Wix costs $12-16/month with better design freedom and similar features for single sites.
⚡ Fix it: Use Duda only if managing 3+ client sites minimum. The agency features justify costs at scale but waste money for individuals. Single site? Choose Squarespace (design quality), Wix (flexibility), or Webflow (advanced control). The 14-day trial won't change this—Duda is architectured for agencies, period.
Mistake #2: Expecting Unlimited Creative Freedom
You sign up wanting pixel-perfect custom designs. Duda templates have preset structures—hero, services, testimonials, contact. You fight the system trying to create unique layouts that don't fit templates. Hours waste trying to force customizations the platform wasn't built for. Frustration builds, project stalls, you're stuck mid-contract with a client.
⚡ Fix it: Accept template constraints upfront. Duda trades creative freedom for deployment speed and performance. If client needs custom layouts, quote them for Webflow or WordPress from day one. Use Duda for clients who need professional sites fast, not unique artistic visions. The constraint isn't a bug—it's how Duda achieves speed and performance.
Mistake #3: Underestimating True Duda Costs for Agencies
You see "Agency plan $52/month with 4 sites" and think that's the full cost. Reality: You need White Label ($149/month) for full branding capabilities. Additional sites cost $17/month each. Custom domain for white-label portal costs extra. Team training takes 8-12 hours. Client onboarding workflow setup requires 4-6 hours. Total first-month cost: $149 platform + $51 extra sites (3x$17) + $25 custom domain = $225, plus 12-18 hours setup time.
⚡ Fix it: Budget realistically: White Label plan ($149/month) for agencies serious about branding. Calculate per-site costs including platform fee amortized across clients. Factor 12-18 hours initial setup time for templates, workflows, team training. Break even typically occurs at 5-8 client sites where time savings justify platform costs. Below 5 clients, Duda's expensive; above 8 clients, Duda's profitable versus building custom sites.
FAQ
What makes Duda different from Wix or Squarespace for agencies?
Duda is built for agencies managing multiple client sites, not individuals building one site. Key differences: (1) True white-label—clients never see Duda branding anywhere, (2) Per-site pricing model—Agency plan includes 4 sites, additional sites $17/month versus separate subscriptions per client, (3) Client permission system—granular controls let clients edit content without breaking design, (4) Reusable templates—duplicate sites in 30 seconds versus rebuilding from scratch. Wix/Squarespace target individuals with better creative freedom but lack agency workflow tools. Choose Duda if managing 5+ clients; choose Wix/Squarespace for personal sites or 1-2 clients maximum.
How does Duda's pricing actually work for agencies with multiple clients?
Plans separate platform access from site count. Basic ($19/mo): 1 site, limited features. Team ($29/mo): 1 site, 3 team members, dynamic pages. Agency ($52/mo): 4 sites included, 6 team members, priority support. White Label ($149/mo): 4 sites, unlimited team members, full white-label customization. Additional sites cost $17/month on Agency/White Label (versus $19 on Basic). At 10 client sites: Agency plan costs roughly $154/month ($52 + 6 extra sites at $17), White Label costs $251/month ($149 + 6 sites). All plans include unlimited bandwidth/storage. Choose Agency for 4-15 client sites; White Label when branding matters; Custom plan for 50+ sites with volume discounts.
Can I really white-label the entire platform or just remove Duda branding from live sites?
White Label plan ($149/month) rebrands the entire backend, not just live sites. What gets rebranded: Platform dashboard (add your logo/colors), Client login portal (yourAgency.com domain), Automated emails (client notifications show your branding), Support documentation (unbranded help pages), Site comments and collaboration tools. What you can't rebrand: Duda's underlying technology stack. Clients truly believe they're using your proprietary software versus a third-party platform. Basic/Team/Agency plans only remove Duda footer from live sites but clients see Duda when logging in. For true white-label, White Label plan minimum required.
Why doesn't Duda have an app store like Wix or WordPress?
Duda prioritizes built-in features over third-party apps to maintain performance and avoid plugin conflicts. The platform includes most agency needs natively: eCommerce, forms, booking, SEO, analytics. What you lose: The long-tail apps (specialized widgets, niche integrations, experimental features). Workarounds: (1) Native widget builder lets you create custom widgets, (2) API access enables custom integrations, (3) Embed custom code via HTML/CSS/JavaScript. This approach keeps sites fast (ranked #1 Core Web Vitals) but limits extensibility versus WordPress's 60,000 plugins. Choose Duda if built-in features suffice; choose WordPress if you need extensive third-party apps.
Is Duda suitable for eCommerce or should I use Shopify/WooCommerce instead?
Duda handles small-to-medium eCommerce (up to 500 products comfortably) but serious stores need dedicated platforms. Product limits: 10 on Basic, 500 on Team/Agency, unlimited on White Label. Features included: Stripe/PayPal integration, inventory tracking, variants, shipping rules, no Duda transaction fees (you pay processor fees only). What's missing: Advanced inventory management, multi-currency complexity, extensive marketplace integrations, robust wholesale/B2B tools. Good fit: Local retailers, service businesses selling products, agencies building simple client stores. Wrong fit: Large catalogs (1000+ SKUs), complex inventory, multi-warehouse, international complexity. Use Shopify for dedicated eCommerce; use Duda when eCommerce is secondary to main business site.
At what point does Duda become more expensive than WordPress for agencies?
WordPress multisite becomes cheaper around 30-50 client sites depending on setup. Duda costs: White Label $149/month + additional sites at $17/month = $639 for 30 sites ($149 + 26x$17). WordPress multisite: $20-50/month hosting + developer time for setup/maintenance. Duda advantages keeping it worthwhile: Zero maintenance (no plugin updates, security patches, backups), Guaranteed performance (99.99% uptime SLA), Client management built in (no separate tools needed), Time savings (deploy sites 50% faster). Break-even: Below 20 sites, Duda usually cheaper when accounting for developer time. 20-50 sites, comparable. Above 50 sites, WordPress multisite or custom solutions typically win on pure economics. Factor in your developer hourly rate—agencies with expensive developers favor Duda longer.
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