Because the platform is the easy part. A studio brings brand strategy, information architecture, conversion thinking, and production tested workflows that a tool cannot supply on its own. We have seen what works across 40 plus builds, and that pattern library translates into faster timelines, fewer rebuilds, and sites that perform on day one rather than after six months of guessing.
The specific things teams underestimate: naming and structuring a design system so it stays maintainable, modeling CMS Collections before the content exists, handling redirects and technical SEO during migration, and building the integrations that connect the site to sales.
To be fair, if you need a two page landing site and someone on your team is comfortable in the Designer, build it yourself. Hire a studio when the site has to carry real revenue weight.
AI can generate a website. It cannot generate a brand strategy.
