The Pros & Cons of Templated & Bespoke Websites
Template or bespoke built website, that’s the question…
Is it time for your business to invest in a new website? With all-new decisions to move from your current website to a new one, one question remains…
‘Should I continue to use a templated website, or should I invest in a bespoke design and build?’
In this blog, we will discuss the pros and cons of both options and what may suit your business more.
Templated websites
Nowadays, it is very common for businesses to use the CMS WordPress and templates from their most known providers, such as Elegant Themes, Divi Builder, or ThemeForest, as they provide a broad range of templates for a vast majority of businesses. However, this doesn’t guarantee that all these themes and their templates are fully responsive.
Pros:
- Templates are suitable for low budgets as they have a low upfront cost.
- They tend to have a lower development time.
Other CMS services like Squarespace and Wix also provide similar theme or template choices, with the option to edit sections within the chosen website frame. These are rapid solutions for building a website. However, there are limitations.
Limitations:
- Many other businesses will most likely be using the same template, which can affect how your website stands out amongst similar competitors.
- You are limited to the template – what you see is what you get.
- Likely, the template won’t work on all devices.
- Often, templates aren’t built with your website’s SEO in mind, which can affect your brand’s visibility.
- Not many templates or themes have sound support systems, as you would find with a developer working on a bespoke website.
Want to learn more about WordPress websites vs bespoke websites?
Bespoke built websites
When you commission a bespoke built website, it often comes with a team of creatives, developers, and marketers who work to understand your target audience, who you need to reach, and how you want the website to look.
In most cases, SEO plays a massive part in the bespoke built process, as many web agencies will know that a good SEO foundation means the website will be more successful.
There are so many rules when you build a website, which not all themes or templates follow. This is why a bespoke built website is superior. The developers involved with your bespoke website can optimise it for search engines like Google during its creation.
Pros:
- The website will be completely unique, incorporating your business’ branding and solely focused on what your business needs from it.
- A bespoke website means that you have adaptability within your build.
- Your website will be tried and tested on different browsers and devices.
- The website will be built with SEO in mind and, therefore, be search engine friendly.
- The company that provides the website will also be your call for support if you need it.
- If you need additions, the company that built your website will be able to incorporate them later.
However, there are some limitations, as these bespoke websites take more time than an off-the-shelf theme or template, as bespoke really means that your website will be built from the ground up to cater to your business needs fully.
Limitations:
- A bespoke website will be more expensive than an off-the-shelf website.
- The build process will take longer than a ready-made theme or template.
Ready to optimise your business for the digital space? Explore web design services.
Here at VCM, we know that you only get one chance to make a great first impression, so make it count with a totally bespoke website built to meet the exact needs of your business and your target audience.
Got a project in mind? Get in touch with VCM today.