Custom Vs Template Websites: Which is Right For You?

One of the most important things you need when starting a business these days is a good website. Your website should represent your business or brand very clearly, and it should also give as much information as possible to your customers or clients. It should also be interactive to keep your audience interested. To have the website you envision, there are two main options you’ll have to choose from: should you have a custom website or a template website?

If this is your first time hearing about custom and template websites, keep reading as I’ll tell you more about what they are and which type will be more beneficial for you based on your needs and budget.

What is a Custom Website?

A custom website is a website that requires the skills of an expert web developer and programmer to be built and maintained. It’s a website that is created from scratch and has the interactive tools and layout that were specifically designed for the website owner’s needs. Depending on the skills of the web developer, a custom website can either be plain or overwhelmingly unique.

Pros:

• Extremely unique design, flexible layout, custom-made features
• Features can be added or removed depending on your business needs
• SEO-optimized code can be used to improve search engine rankings
• Website elements can load faster for a smoother user experience
• Tighter security that is less vulnerable to cyber attacks

Cons:

• Significantly more expensive since it requires an expert web developer to build a good one
• Takes up to months to develop and often encounters bugs and other improvement issues in the first few months after its launch date
• Requires technical support during operation hours in case the website crashes or a code fails

What is a Template Website?

A template website, unlike a custom one, does not need to be built from scratch by an expert web developer. It uses pre-built code, layouts, and elements that can be easily added depending on the site owner’s needs and preferences. Almost all websites hosted by WordPress, Wix, Shopify, and more are built with pre-designed layouts that owners can choose from. As a business owner who needs a personalized website, these templates mean that you can have a good website design without having to hire a web programmer. You can get a web designer to make your chosen template more personalized, though. 

Pros:

• Great for SME owners because they’re significantly cheaper than custom websites
• Tried and tested templates mean you can launch your website more quickly without needing launch tests
• User-friendly site builder tools that allow elements to be added and removed without affecting the site’s framework
• WordPress and Shopify offer easy-to-use widgets perfect for online store owners and service retailers

Cons:

• Customization is not too flexible
• SEO value must be enhanced separately

How to Choose the Right Option

Since there are both pros and cons when choosing a template or a custom website, let’s discuss further which one you should choose from based on the following factors:

1. What’s Your Objective?
   • If you’re using a website to promote your business, brand, products, or services, you don’t really need to hire an expert web developer because you can use a template website. 
   • If the main process of your business depends on your website, you should invest in a custom website.
2. Consider the Risk vs the Reward
   • Template websites may have limited customizability, but they’ve been tried and tested, so there are lower risks of having them crash on you.
   • Custom websites are more customizable, but they require experts to be built and maintained.
3. Think About Your Users:
   • If your target site users are proficient in using the Internet and websites, you can get the most value from a custom website.
   • If your target site users are casual Internet users, it would be better to use a template website that makes them feel more at ease with the familiarity of your site’s layout.

Golden Tip

Don’t hesitate to get advice from an expert. An expert you can trust will tell you more about how you can get the most out of your budget for a website while still achieving your goal. Different businesses have diverse needs that require unique solutions. It’s the same for websites. 

One of the services that TMJP BPO Solutions Inc. has been offering to its clients is web design. Our Web Design and Multimedia Services Team can give you the advice you need to make your vision a reality while still considering all the factors for your business’s demands. So, don’t hesitate to ask our team of experts for advice.