Website Templates vs. Custom Website Design

The topic of templates vs. custom website design has spurred heated debates among web designers and developers. Here at Diace Designs, we’re all in for custom websites. If you’ve been wondering whether a custom website is worth the higher price tag, then this article is for you. We’ll cover the pros and cons of both templates and custom websites so that you can make an informed decision for your business.

Templates Save Time and Money… or Do They?

Website templates, also known as “themes,” are the go-to choice for DIYers. These themes establish a style for every element on your site and include pre-built web pages (home, about, contact, etc.) already laid out—all you need to do is customize them. For a business owner with a small budget and a lot of time on her hands, this DIY option may seem like the best choice. A template can save you time and money up front, but it comes at a long-term cost.

Ongoing support is critical to maintaining your website, as we discussed in our recent post about website maintenance, yet too often this support is lacking or non-existent for templates. The Diace Designs development team has answered more than a few SOS calls from unhappy template purchasers. Website templates can also come up short immediately after purchase. Developers are known to beef up their themes on demo sites using plugins or features that you’ll need to purchase separately from the template itself. For this reason, it’s difficult to know exactly what you’ll get when you buy a website template.

Custom Website Design Is the Best Long-Term Solution

With custom website design, on the other hand, you’ll always know exactly what you’re paying for. When you engage a developer to build your site from scratch, you get to decide how your website looks and functions now, as well as how it will change in the future. You gain the ability to plan for a new product line, a second location, or an international expansion. Custom websites put you in the driver’s seat (where you should be). Working with a developer also means that you’ll always have support for your site, should anything break.

Custom comes at a cost, but it’s worth it. You’ll have a website that reflects your brand rather than looking like just another website. (Seriously, have you noticed how eerily similar websites look these days?) You’ll have a developer you can rely on to keep your site in top shape. And, you’ll have a roadmap for the future so that your website can evolve with your business.

The bottom line is that a custom website is simply better for your business. It costs more than using a template, but you get more in return. Ready to build your custom website? Let’s do it.

About Kara Franco
Kara writes copy that speaks. She has a knack for creating clear, compelling messages without wasting words. She is passionate about digital marketing and believes that copy is the cornerstone of user experience.

Copywriter + Content Strategist
Kara@diacedesigns.com