Deciding between a custom website vs. a template? Here’s what you need to know.
When it comes to building your brand’s online presence, there’s one decision that can feel surprisingly personal: to outsource a custom website from a designer or build it yourself from a template.
Think of this decision like having a home built to your specifications or buying one that’s already decorated. Both paths can lead to beautiful results, but one will definitely fit your unique business journey better than the other.
In the 10 years I been in business, I’ve worked with business owners of all kinds… some at the beginning of their business journey, others ready to elevate an established brand to the next level.
The same question comes up: Is a custom website design worth the extra investment, or will a template work just fine?
The answer depends on a few key things: your business goals, your audience, and (let’s be honest) your budget.
Let me break down the real benefits of each option and who stands to gain the most from going custom or sticking with a template.
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What is a Pre-Made Website Template?
The availability of website templates has grown exponentially in the past 5-10 years with the growing popularity of development platforms like Showit and WordPress.
A website template will provide you with an already-designed foundation for your site from which you will need to further customize it with your content.
If you’re looking for a quick and simple solution, websites like Showit* and Squarespace are great places to start.
- Average Price – Free to $1000+ (per theme design) or monthly fee ranging from $20-$50.
- Time from Start to Launch – ~1 to 4 weeks, depending on your motivation.
Ideal for: Newer business owners on a budget or with simpler needs (ie. fewer number of pages, or little complexity). Think coaches, small service providers, and e-commerce beginners.
Benefits of using a Website Template
Budget-friendly and accessible
Website templates are a cost-effective solution if you’re just starting to build your online presence. With an extremely wide range of stylish and accessible options available, a website template can provide a low-cost entry point into the world of web design, allowing you to allocate resources towards other aspects of your business growth.
Quick turnaround time to launch
Website templates can help shorten the time spent between design and launch. Because templates are pre-designed, they often require less customization, which means less time spent tweaking your site until it’s perfect and more time spent with your published website out in the world. This quick turnaround time can be great if you’re looking to launch your website quickly and start engaging with your audience ASAP.
Limited-to-no assistance required from a designer/developer required
Website templates are designed to be user-friendly and do not usually require the nitty-gritty technical expertise of a coding wizard that is so often associated with us web designers. Thankfully, with user-friendly interfaces like Showit, businesses can easily customize website templates to suit their branding without the need for additional assistance from a designer or developer. This DIY approach empowers businesses to take control of their online presence without the extra costs.
Cons of using Website Templates
Limited Design Customization
While website templates offer convenience and affordability, they can come with restrictions on design customization. When choosing a template vs. a custom website, you may find yourself constrained by predefined layouts (depending on which platform you use), color schemes, and design elements, all of which limit your ability to create a truly unique and branded website.
This lack of customization can hinder brand identity and differentiation in a competitive market.
Technical Knowledge Requirement
Some templates may require special knowledge/training to customize/setup if you don’t consider yourself tech-literate. Hiring a designer to help may add to the overall cost of using a template, with professional support ranging anywhere from $250 – $1500+.
Strategy and User Experience
When using website templates vs. a custom website, a significant drawback is that the layout may not suit your business-specific needs, lacking strategy and alignment with your goals.
While some designers create industry specific templates (ahem…that’s us 🙋🏼♀️), layouts might not always showcase your offerings to resonate with your target audience. A major con is the time spent developing a digital strategy and a quality user experience around your template — rather than around your business. Layout may not be tailored to your specific business or business goals.
Unknown Template Quality
The quality of website templates can depend on the template developer and their chosen platform. If you don’t do your due diligence before purchasing a template, you run the risk of encountering bugs, performance issues, or compatibility problems that may impact the overall user experience. One word of advice? Don’t invest time in a template with subpar quality that leads to frustrating user interactions, potentially harming your brand’s credibility in the eyes of visitors. Invest time into researching your template before committing to one. (Need help deciding on a template? Try our quiz!
The Customization *Overwhelm*
Having a range of customization choices is definitely a plus, but sometimes too many options can be overwhelming. When you find yourself lost in a sea of features and settings, it can be harder to create a template that truly meets your needs.
The frustration can take away from the overall experience, and in the end, you risk ending up with a website that doesn’t match your vision for design and functionality.
Related Post: 3 So-Worth-I Benefits of Using Website Design Templates
Custom Web Design
Custom sites offer the ‘wow factor’ that you might find lacking in some templates (but not ours of course 😉), built to showcase exactly what your brand is about.
Yes, it’s an investment, but it’s one that pays off in differentiation and adaptability. Not to mention, the design is 100% yours, and like a custom built house, is created with your fingerprint. If you are looking for a comprehensive option, a custom website design is the best approach.
- Average Price – $5,000 to $20,000+
- Time from Start to Launch – 6 to 12+ weeks.
Ideal for: Established brands or growing businesses ready for a 100% unique online presence. Think service-based businesses or brands that thrive on customer engagement and creating an elevated experience.
Benefits of using a Custom Template
Complete + Total Customization
Choosing a custom website vs. a template provides you with the opportunity to personalize every detail, from layout and functionality to design elements.
If you want and need to create a unique online presence that truly reflects your brand identity, this level of customization will help you stand out from your competitors and craft a memorable user experience that truly speaks to your target audience.
Hand Off the Tech
When you hand over your custom website project to a designer, you can trust their expertise to manage all the technical and strategic elements of the development process, from coding to optimization. This way, you can concentrate on what you do best, building and growing your business, rather than learning the latest web design technologies and industry standards.
Built with Specialized Industry Knowledge
We’ve said it before + we’ll say it again: custom websites are designed with a deep understanding of your industry, using web design best practices and competitor research to create a website tailored to your unique business goals.
This custom approach ensures that your website is not just visually appealing but also functional, user-friendly, and optimized for performance, all of which helps to boost your online presence and engage users.
Dedicated Support + Training
With a custom website, you can sit back and relax knowing that any technical issues that come up can be quickly resolved with the help of your web designer.
Whether you have post-launch support or ongoing assistance, you can rest knowing that your web designer wants to keep your website running smoothly – just as much as you.
Cons of a Custom Website
Requires Researching + Hiring
To create a custom website, finding and hiring the right designer or web design agency is a super important step that requires careful thought and research.
You’ll need ot spend time looking for web designers who have the skills and style that matches your budget and needs. This means checking out different designers, going through their past work, and getting a feel for their design philosophy and process to make sure they’re the right match for your project.
Investment of Time + Money
Developing a custom website can be quite an investment in both time and money, especially when you think about the convenience of using pre-designed templates.
Custom website projects often come with a higher level of personalization and intricate design elements, which can lead to increased costs and extended development timelines. Plus, the careful planning, teamwork, and testing needed for a custom site might not fit within the budget or schedule of your business.
Related Post: 6 Signs Your Business is Ready for a Custom Website Design
Making the Right Choice for Your Business
Choosing between a custom website design vs. a template isn’t just about aesthetics or budget… it’s about finding the right fit for your brand’s growth, personality, and goals. Website templates can be a powerful tool to get started without stretching your budget, while a custom website offers the flexibility and depth that can help established brands scale even more.
Remember, this decision isn’t set in stone! Many of my clients start with a template and transition to custom as they grow, and both options can support you if chosen thoughtfully. If your current template-based website starts to feel unruly and hopelessly disorganized, is failing to convert, or lacking that extra-special something, it might be time to upgrade.
So reflect on what your brand truly needs right now. Whether you’re ready to invest in a custom-built website or want the simplicity of a template to start, or perhaps even something in-between, each choice can help you make more impact online.
If you’re still unsure or want help deciding what will work best for you, don’t hesitate to reach out! I’d love to help you find the perfect solution and create a website that reflects the heart of your brand.
