Website Templates vs. Custom Web Design

Once you decide to build a website, you have two options for doing so. First, you can choose to use a website template. This option means using a web page or set of web pages that have already been designed. All you have to do is to load your own content and photos into the pages.

Second, you can choose to commission a custom web design. This option means hiring a website developer to design and build your site from scratch. While a template offers you a faster and less expensive way to build your site, a custom design allows you to build a site that is unique, tailored to your business, targeted to your customers, and, in the end, likely to be more profitable.

These issues can cause serious damage to your website, and to your professional reputation. As a result, you need to take steps to prevent hacking in the first place. For instance, you should always maintain your software through upgrades, security patches, and the assistance of a reliable web development company.

When hacking does occur, you also need to be ready to act quickly to repair the damage and prevent hackers from getting back into your site. By understanding how hacking occurs, the damage it can cause, and the best way to handle a hacking incident, you can be better prepared to both prevent and fix a hacked Joomla site.

Cost

When comparing the cost of website templates and custom web design, the templates will almost always be less expensive. Some website building programs are free online services. Others come with a web hosting service that charges a small recurring fee. Others can be purchased outright from a template selling company.

Custom web design usually costs more than a template because it involves more time and more expertise. For this type of web design, you hire an experienced website developer to build your site from the ground up. In addition, you often receive maintenance and support for your site after it is completed. Typically, the fees for this service run anywhere from $1,500 to $35,000 (or more).

While the cost of your website is an important consideration, you need to weigh it against the benefits you get for your money. A template might appear to be cheaper, but you also do not get the features and customization that a web developer can provide. In addition, there are times when a template might not be cheaper. Unforeseen costs (such as needing to hire someone to install the template, or needing to pay for ongoing support) can increase the total amount of money you pay for your site.

SEE ALSO: How Much Does a Website Cost?

Time Investment

If you are looking for the shortest possible setup time for your website, a template might be the way to go. Because templates are pre-designed and do not require a great deal of customization, they are often relatively simple to set up.

Custom web design, on the other hand, usually takes more time to set up. The reason is that you must work with the web development company to create a design from the ground up. The planning and designing that go into the site naturally lead to more time invested in the project.

However, as with cost, time is not the only consideration. You may get your website running faster with a template, but the finished product may not be as effective as you want. When it comes to getting features such as customization and scalability, taking a little extra time for a custom web design may be the best choice.

Installing a template might not save you any time at all. Not all website templates are the same, and some templates can actually require significant amounts of time and work in order to get them working properly. A template might require more time and effort than you had planned and still leave you with a less than satisfactory website.

Customization

Website templates and custom web design also differ when it comes to the level of customization they offer. As its name implies, custom web design provides significantly more options for customizing your site than do templates.

For instance, a website template is a pre-designed set of web pages. As such, it is difficult to change that design in order to reflect the uniqueness of your brand. Adding specialized features and functionality is also difficult. Plus, because many businesses are purchasing the same templates, it is likely that your site will end up resembling any number of other sites.

Custom web design, on the other hand, offers you almost unlimited options for customizing your website. Because this type of site is built from the ground up, you can work with your web development company to choose the features that will work best for your business. Your web developer will design the solution around you and your needs, instead of trying to fit you into a box. As a result, they give you the chance to create a site that accurately reflects your unique business.

Scalability

If you own a business, you want that business to grow. Whether it be a brick-and-mortar store with a website or an online-only e-commerce store, your business’ growth will mean changes for your website. For instance, once your brand becomes better known, you will see an increase in website traffic. Handling this increase and the added demands that more visitors bring may require changes to your site.

Website templates are difficult to adjust when your website needs to change. Because they are pre-designed and come with minimal support, you are often stuck with the features you paid for originally. This means that as your business grows, you need to change templates or pay for a redesign. The result can be more money out of your pocket, and downtime for your website.

On the other hand, a custom web design can be made scalable. This means that your web developer can build in features that allow your website to grow with you. For instance, it may be possible to create a site to which pages can easily be added. You may be able to develop a site that can handle a sudden influx of traffic, or manage an increased number of sales. The result is that you can seamlessly handle your business growth without shutting down your site or frustrating your customers.

Maintenance

All websites require maintenance. Regular support will prevent broken pages, broken links, and outdated content that can lose you business. Website templates usually require you to provide your own maintenance. This means that if the site goes down in the middle of the night, you need to fix it. It also means that if you have trouble keeping up your site, you may need to pay for an outside developer to fix the problem for you.

Custom websites, on the other hand, often come with ongoing support from the web design company. They keep up with maintenance. They fix problems that crop up. They handle your website emergencies. The result is that a custom site is likely to be down less often and for shorter periods of time than a website built on a template.

Creating a website that will serve your business well means understanding what you are getting when you choose a template or a custom web design. In general, a template will cost you less upfront and take you less time to set up. However, the greater customization, scalability, and maintenance available through a custom site make this option a more appealing and profitable choice for many businesses.