Whether you’re creating a website from scratch or looking to freshen up your existing website, there are two ways of going about it. You can either choose a website template, or build a website that will be tailored to your exact requirements.
One is going to be super quick to set up, and the other takes a more considered approach to fit your business model. For building a tailored website, you should really look into hiring a web designer.
Here is everything you need to know about website templates Vs custom website design to help you make an informed decision.
Website templates
If you need a website and you don’t have time to hang around, you’ll most likely browse a template created by your website provider and choose the one you like best. There are many providers to choose from such as WordPress, Wix, Squarespace or GoDaddy. Most have an array of website templates that can be installed free or for an additional charge.
The speed is undoubtedly the main benefit of website templates. Though, because the templates are readily available, they won’t be unique or specifically customised to your needs. This won’t be a problem for some, especially if you are just looking to create a basic blog. But if you are trying to create a website to cater to your business, you may struggle when all the elements are predetermined.
The quality of the template is also going to depend on the provider. Typically, WordPress offers the largest range of templates. Most web designers are used to working with WordPress too, making it easy to hire someone if you need a few tweaks. Wix operates a ‘drag and drop’ style to their templates. However, they don’t allow users to switch templates once you’ve created your site.
Pros
- Templates are easy to pick and install
- Most providers offer preview options to help you choose
- Templates are quicker to implement versus custom web design
- Many templates can be installed for free
Cons
- The design isn’t unique to your website
- Templates often need lots of tweaking to perfect them
- Some providers don’t allow you to change templates
- The best templates usually cost more
- You have to accept someone else’s vision instead of creating your own
Custom website design
Sometimes the only option is to go back to the drawing board. If you don’t want a website design that everyone else has, or if your needs are more complex than what a template can offer you, then custom website design is the answer.
Custom web design involves hiring a web designer who will work with you to figure out the right solution.
If the project is particularly large, then the web designer may also work with developers or copywriters too. Anything goes when you design your website from scratch. Therefore, you don’t have to settle for a predetermined template which might not meet your needs.
Custom websites do take longer to create because every detail is carefully curated. The benefit though is that in the long term, your website will better suit your business. You will need to factor in the time it will take to tweak your website, as the designer will need to thoroughly test every element. As well as the visual elements, web designers place high importance on the overall user experience.
Pros
- Your website design will be unique to you
- Can implement any features that you require
- Web designers build them which offers a professional touch
- A custom design will fit your needs better in the long term
Cons
- The process isn’t instant like it is with a template
- Custom web design is more expensive especially for larger projects
- Great communication is needed from both sides to get a successful outcome
Summary
Both website templates and custom website design have their advantages. However, what you need to consider is whether a one-size-fits-all approach would suffice, or whether you want someone to design something that truly meets your needs.
Web designers create custom solutions. Working with them isn’t as instant as it would be if you selected a template. However, they will ensure that the finished product reflects what it is you do more effectively.
