Website Templates vs Custom Design: Which One Should You Choose?

When you start building blog website, you have to make a decision on designing and creating it. You can pick a website template to create a site. Or you can go with a customized website design, built for you.

But what’s the difference between the? More so, which options should you go for? This question can be a bit too much to handle at first. But fret not, we will break it down for you.

There are pros and cons to both options. Templates are a lot more affordable and quicker to design. On the other hand, custom made website design gives you the room to customize your site to a T.

So, if anything, it comes down to choosing the option that meets your needs, budget, and goals. That is why we will discuss all about website templates vs custom design in this blog.

More so, we’ll walk through the key differences between templates and custom design, when each one makes sense, and what you should think about before choosing. All of this will help you choose, as you will know which path is best for your site’s success.

So, without any further ado, let’s get right into it.

What is Custom Web Design?

For those wondering what is custom web design, well, custom website design entails constructing a website entirely from the ground up with your specific needs in mind.

Custom areas are developed rather than selecting a pre-made design. Designers will provide you with full control over how your website looks, works, and what specific features can be built.

This is what makes a custom product unique, truly reflective of your business identity. Custom websites are the best option for organizations that want to separate themselves from the competition and offer increased value to their users.

Custom websites require more development time and require a greater expense, but the return is a professional, powerful website that’s built to grow with your organization.

What are Templates?

The website template definition is that website templates are pre-designed layouts that you can use to create a site. They are quite easy to use, and you can create sites quickly as well.

These templates have pages, colors, fonts, and design items that are already set up for you. So, all you have to do is replace the sample text and other items with your own. And voila, your site is ready to go live.

Templates are low in cost and simple to use. This is why they are popular with startups and small businesses. You do not need to have any kind of design experience or coding experience to use it.

More so, there are thousands of styles you can choose from. On the other hand, the most popular templates are used by many other people. Therefore, your site will likely look like other sites.

Templates can become tedious. That’s especially if you want to add a cool feature or make an update to change things up during the website’s life.

What’s the Difference Between Custom Websites and Website Templates

Both custom website creation and templates are ways to launch a site. However, they both work in different ways, hence the website templates vs custom design is a thing. A custom build website is created specifically for your brand.

So you can have everything from the layout to the features built just as you want them. It is unique, scalable, and built to last. In other words, it will grow with you as your business expands.

Templates, on the other hand, are premade designs that tend to save time and money but give you less freedom. Templates are easy and quick, but the downside is that your site may look like your competitors.

Here’s an overview of website templates vs custom design:

Why a Custom Website is Better Than Templates

It goes without saying that custom built websites are a lot better than templates. But in which ways are customized websites better?

Well, the following reasons are why custom web sites are the way to go:

Unique Brand Identity

A custom designed website gives your brand a chance to showcase its personality. You’re not limited to standard templates.

This way, you do not have to look like your competitors. Designers are able to customize website design and match it with your brand colors, style, and voice.

This allows your business to build trust and make a lasting first impression. More so, your custom webdesign reflects who you truly are.

Flexible and Scalability

With a custom website, you can add new features whenever your business needs grow. Want a booking system? No problem.

Need more pages later? Easy. You’re never limited by template rules or design restrictions. Custom made websites are built to evolve. This makes them a smart long-term investment for growing companies.

Enhanced User Experience

Custom websites are built for your audience. The layout, navigation, and features of customizable websites are designed to make the user experience simple and enjoyable.

When visitors are able to get the content they want easily, they will stay longer. More so, they will trust your brand and make a purchase.  A better user experience with a custom website designs means better results.

SEO Benefits

Custom websites can be built with clean code and an optimized structure that search engines love. You can use better keywords, faster loading speed, and improved mobile design.

All of this helps your website rank higher on Google. More visibility means more visitors and more potential customers for your business.

When Website Templates Might Be The Better Option

Templates are a great choice when you need a website fast, don’t want to spend too much, or only need something simple for a short time.

Limited Budget

If you’re just starting out and don’t want to invest too much money, website templates can save the day. They are affordable and often come with ready-to-use features.

You simply add your content and publish. It’s a smart choice for small businesses or students who want a clean website without big costs.

Tight Deadlines

Need a website launched quickly? Templates help you go live in just a few hours or days. There’s no waiting for designers or developers.

Everything is already built. So you are just customizing websites a bit and hitting publish. They are perfect when you have a strict timeline or need a fast online presence.

Temporary Landing Page Needs

Sometimes you only need a temporary custom webpage, like for an event, product test, or promotion. Using a template makes this super easy and budget-friendly.

You don’t need to invest in a fully custom site if the page won’t be used long-term. Templates let you quickly create something that works for the moment.

Cons of Custom Web Design

Even though custom websites offer amazing benefits, they do have a few downsides. The most significant factor is price – custom design typically calls for a larger budget, since everything is built from the ground up.

It takes more time, too, since designers and developers must carefully plan, design, code, and test your website. You will likely also require more regular ongoing support each time you need an update or change.

Therefore, if you’re time-sensitive or do not have a lot of money to spend at this time, then a custom website could feel highly limiting.

Cons of Website Templates

Although website templates definition may seem like the most affordable and simple solution at first, they can restrict you as your business grows.

You may eventually find that your web production process template can’t support certain features that are necessary.

Ultimately, you are transitioning to a new website design, which is going to cost more in the end. Customizable website templates can also have hidden costs.

These costs can be related to designing a website template, building a website template with plugins, or upgrading templates to premium versions, or paying for help to make the said changes, for that matter.

During the startup phase, templates are a good option. But if you create custom design, then it is a long-term investment that will pay off when your business expands.

Website Templates vs Custom Design: Things to Consider

If you are still not sure which option, website template customization or custom design websites, is the right one for you, then you need to ask yourself a couple of questions first.

When you ask these questions, it will help you choose the right website design approach.

Therefore, these questions for website templates vs custom design are as follows:

What’s your target launch date for the website?

Template websites are quick to set up. This is helpful if you need a site up very fast. Custom websites take longer to launch, since they’re built from scratch.

Therefore, you can make a custom website if you have a more flexible timeline.

How much are you planning to invest in your site’s design?

Your budget is a big factor as well. Custom site design is a bit on the expensive side. But it offers better long-term benefits.

Templates are less expensive upfront, which is helpful for tight budgets and start-up businesses.

Does your website need any custom features or advanced functionality?

If you want to add tools like customer dashboards, booking systems, or custom animations, you will need to make custom website.

Templates can’t support advanced features or allow advanced features without limitation.

Is it important for your site’s design to be completely one-of-a-kind?

A website custom design makes a site look one in a million. It makes your site look just like your brand. When you choose a template, you can make just a few web design customization.

This means you are likely to look like many sites that use that design. So, website design custom is the way to go if you want to look different and unique.

Will you be managing and updating the website on your own?

Templates are usually easier to edit when there is no developer on hand. While a custom website can be easy to update, and often is, you may need a professional depending on how the site is built.

How vital is a seamless mobile experience for your audience?

Should most of your users visit your site from phones, you will need a design that transitions well regardless of device.

Custom websites likely accomplish better optimization on mobile, where templates do not perform as well.

How much do site speed and search engine performance matter to you?

Custom websites can be designed with cleaner code, ensuring a better SEO structure to rank you higher in Google. Templates may load more slowly and decrease your search performance if it is not optimized.

Do you expect your business strategy or goals to evolve in the near future?

A custom website is the best way to avoid the risk of growth, adding services, or increasing features that are not scalable.

A template possibly does not accommodate extensive modifications requiring new redesigns in the future.

Get Started With Artisticore for Custom Website Design

If you are looking for custom build websites that are visually stunning and reflect your brand, then Artisticore can build a custom website for you.

Our website design company template excels in custom web design and programming. We offer Custom Designed Websites Services to design and develop the best custom websites.

In this discussion of website templates vs custom design, we know how to design website templates, but we can also work on a website custom that looks great and performs well.

More so, we understand your goals, target audience, and business offerings to tailor your custom fit web design.

So, you can partner with Artisticore to design custom website, and we will create a website design engine that helps your business grow.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it, folks, that is the end for this blog on website templates vs custom design. The decision of whether to use a website template or a custom design comes down to your objectives, budget, and timeline. If you are looking to launch quickly and on a budget, templates are the best. They are especially convenient for small projects or new businesses that are just beginning their website journey.

But if you desire a website that is custom, will allow growth, and can be adjusted, a custom design is definitely the way to go. It provides you with greater control regarding the style, features, and performance. All of these are very important in representing your brand and creating a good user experience. But if you cannot decide between website templates vs custom design, then let Artisticore help you out. We will assess your needs and create a website using the method that better serves your purpose.