Since the inception of the internet, creating a website from scratch has been an endeavor solely limited for developers, computer geeks, or programmers. Nevertheless, the good news is that these days are no more, and anyone can give a whirl to website creation. 

You don’t necessarily need to know coding, possess technical expertise, or develop back-end structure. Sounds unbelievable? Look at this. According to recent statistics, there exists approximately 1.1 billion websites in the world as of 2024. 

With this increasing popularity, building a visually appealing and user-friendly website has become more important than ever. And that’s where business owners come across their first dilemma – what should be the underlying structure of their website? 

If this question is also swirling in your mind, in that case, you have landed in the right place. This guide will provide you with an overview of custom website vs template – shedding light on pros and cons of each to help you make an informed decision. 

Delving Into Custom Web Design

Wondering what is custom web design? A website that is built from the get-go, without the need of pre-existing templates or infrastructure, is called a custom-built website design. It essentially refers to a distinguished brand identity. 

When it comes to creating a customized web design, you need to bring your idea to life through various professional development stages, i.e., working on front-end and back-end coding components. And this, in turn, gives you the freedom to make sure your website appears and functions exactly the same way you want.

Although it’s possible to build a custom website design by yourself; however, most business owners enlist the help of professional agencies or developers to turn their business idea into a reality. Every facet of a custom web design is consciously picked to ensure they align well with the brand’s identity. 

While a custom-built website design requires a bit more effort and time, the final outcome is the one that genuinely showcases your brand’s vision. You can be certain that the design and feel of your website wouldn’t match any other website present on the web.

Pros

When considering between custom website design vs template, it’s crucial to factor in the pros and cons of each. Here, let’s take a closer look at advantages of choosing the custom web design:

Distinctiveness

Every business is unique in its own way. Put this way, every business has specific needs and vision. 

With custom web design, you can create a website from the ground up based on your brand’s unique identity. Each element of your website can highlight the uniqueness of your brand. This way, you can set yourself apart from others.

According to stats, nearly 75% of users perceive well-crafted websites more credible, compelling them to engage with the business.

Scalability

In the long run, your business will need to grow. With this growth, you might encounter changing needs on your website too. 

Luckily, with custom web design, you can have full control of every element of your site. This makes implementation of any changes on your site easier, ensuring your site remains functional in the time to come.

Improved User Experience

Of course, you want to build a website that’s tailored specifically to your target audience. Custom web design templates give you the liberty to design the site in accordance to your target audience’s preferences and needs. 

Developing a website with enhanced user experience ensures less bounce rate, higher engagement, and thus good overall conversion.

Cons

Unfortunately, there are some cons too. Ahead are a few of them:

Time-Taking

Developing a website is no easy feat. Especially, when you build the site right from the square one, the time to complete it may be a bit lengthy. 

After all, you are responsible for customizing every element of your site, including the design, features, user-experience, and much more. All of this requires several weeks to even months, depending on the nature and complexity of your website.

Price

Another drawback that comes with opting custom web design is that it is quite expensive. 

To build a customized website, you need to hire a professional web developer. They usually charge high upfront fees because they need to develop each aspect of the site based on your unique brand’s goals and requirements.

Breaking Down Theme Website Design

A theme website design is the one that makes use of existing platforms or frameworks. It’s a quickest and affordable solution for those who wish to get their website up and running in no time without the need to dive into complex codes and intricate design principles. 

Various themes and templates offer a solid foundation for the structure, design, and layout of a website. Different pre-existing platforms manage multiple aspects of building a website, such as picking a domain name, hosting a site, and offering simple drag-and-drop interfaces. 

What makes these pre-made templates a convenient option is their simplicity and speed. You are at liberty to choose a theme of your choice and personalize it to some extent

A theme-based website design is an ideal choice for businesses who are on strict schedules and lack proper technical resources. The convenience and affordability allow such businesses to establish a solid digital presence.

Pros

As with custom websites, there are some pros of using themes. A few of them are listed below in order to help you choose between custom website design vs theme:

Pocket-Friendly

The price-tag associated with theme-built websites is one the most prominent advantages of this approach. Websites created using pre-made themes don’t cost an arm and a leg. There exists a diverse array of free and premium templates for businesses according to their budgets.

Quick Development Time

Another advantage that makes pre-built themes a convenient option is their fast development time. 

Since templates are already pre-made; therefore, it takes a fraction of time to set up and customize the website with easy-to-use features. This becomes an ideal choice for businesses who are short-handed on time and have insufficient resources.

Cons

The following are some of the drawbacks of developing websites using pre-made themes:

No Uniqueness

Did you know that approximately 94% of first impressions are contingent on website design? Since pre-made themes are available to everyone out there, thus, the number of times they can be used by others is endless. 

There’s a high chance that your website might have the same feel and appearance as others. This makes it extremely challenging to make your business stand out in a fierce competitive world. 

Security Risks

A large number of popular and well-known pre-made templates are consistently attacked by cybercriminals since they know most businesses capitalize on them. This poses a serious security threat to the online presence of a business. 

Comparing Custom Website Design Vs Theme: Which One Is the Perfect Fit For Your Business?

Still torn between custom website design vs template? Although the decision should be based on the unique needs of your business; however, when contemplating website templates vs custom design, it’s crucial to take into account the following factors:

Budget Constraints

When it comes to deciding the right website design for your business, budgeting plays an integral role. A custom-built website, more often than not, requires a considerable amount of time and effort mainly due to the technical nature of the process. 

Whether it is coding, designing, bug fixing, or testing, a stunning custom website may cost a hefty investment amount. Unless you plan on undertaking this challenge yourself, you might need to enlist the help of a professional developer to execute the job.

On the flip side, a theme-based website seems to be a more pocket-friendly option. That’s because it allows you to go through various template libraries and choose the one that fits well with your brand’s overarching goals. 

Even if your desired theme seems to be locked under a subscription fee, the cost might not spiral into the thousands. While it’s true that a website made from a premade theme might not stand out; however, it can serve as a temporary solution till you have the resources to build a custom one.

Time Limitations

Another crucial factor that can help decide between custom website design vs wordpress theme is timeframe. 

Building a custom website is a time-consuming endeavor even for the best of developers. Naturally, the timeframe required to create a visually appealing and bespoke customized website mainly hinges on the number of pages and functionalities required. 

If you want a basic custom website, the time can take up to a few weeks in order to get the coding to the perfection stage. However, if you plan on working with a vast team of front-end and back-end developers and designers, in that case, the timeline can go up to months.

On the other hand, a theme-based website can expedite the process. All you need is to pick a theme of your choice, install it from your desired platform, and personalize the content in accordance to your business needs.

Brand Identity

The primary reason for developing and launching a website for any business is because this site highlights the existence of a brand online. 

Every business employs their website for online marketing and advertising purposes, to engage with audiences on the internet, and hence, boost their bottom lines. So, it’s crucial to build a website that attracts your target audience and compels them to take relevant actions.

With custom web design, you can stay ahead of the game and build a website that is tailored according to your target audience. From layout to design and functionality, you have endless choices to customize your site and make a good impression.

On the other hand, you can only come up with a static website with pre-made themes and templates. And, this, in turn, hinders the way you wish to truly represent your brand’s identity. Not to mention, 59% users prefer a well-designed and structured website over a generic template one. 

Still pulled in two directions? No need to sweat. Here we have compiled some points that can help you pick the perfect choice for your business:

Final Words

Now, that you have understood the differences between custom website vs template, it’s time for you to make a decision. 

A template-based website design is an affordable and accelerated way to get your website up and running. It’s more suitable for businesses who are on a shoestring budget and possess limited technical expertise. In contrast, a custom-based website design is a safe bet for businesses who wish to showcase their unique brand identity and offer personalized experience. 

It’s also important to note that what works the best for one might not be suitable for others.  Therefore, take your time, consider differences between a custom website design vs template, and make a well-informed decision.

At Aun Digital, our team of web designers are well-versed in building websites that truly align with your brand’s identity. If you’re still on the fence about website templates vs custom design, our team can explain the nitty-gritty of each and help make your brand shine bright in the competitive business world. So, reach out to us today and get the perfect web design solution!

FAQs

What is custom web design?

A custom website design basically refers to a website that is created from square one without capitalizing on pre-made templates. It is customized according to the unique goals and specific needs of businesses. Such types of web design solutions offer flexibility in design and functionality, adding a touch of distinctiveness.

What factors should be taken into account when choosing between custom website vs template?

When contemplating between website templates vs custom design, a multitude of factors should be taken into consideration, such as budget, timeframe, and business needs. If you wish to have a unique website with particular features, a custom web design is an ideal choice. However, if you want a quick launch within a limited budget, a theme-based design is the perfect option.

Does the development time frame vary between custom website design vs wordpress theme?

Yes, the development timeline varies in both cases. A wordpress theme-based website solution can be set up and launched in a relatively short time period. On the other hand, a custom web design solution requires more time, mainly due to the personalized nature of the process.