Your website will probably be the first point of contact a customer has with your company. That’s why it’s so important that your website aligns with your brand and who you are. Within web design, there is ‘bespoke web design’ and ‘template web design’. But what does this actually mean and which is better? In this article, we’re going to explore the difference between a bespoke website and a website from a template, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each.
What is a template website?
A template website is something that is pre-designed in its layout and structure, available for anyone to purchase as a ready-to-go template. These pre-designed templates can be tweaked to alter the colour palettes, logos, text and images to suit your company, and are used to build websites quickly and efficiently without having to start from scratch
A template website can streamline the web development process by providing a ready-to-use structure that can be easily tweaked to suit your specific needs, however, the limitation comes from the lack of personalisation and uniqueness.
What is a bespoke website?
A bespoke website is one built completely from scratch by experienced web developers. These websites are tailored to suit your specific requirements, meaning they can grow and develop with your business as it evolves. Because of this personalisation, bespoke websites tend to be more expensive and can take longer to build, however, they will be completely custom to the business.
Bespoke vs Template web design
The main consideration when choosing between a bespoke and a template design is budget and development time. A high-quality website is an investment that offers flexibility and advanced functionality. It is important to have a good understanding of what you want from your website so that it can be built how you want it.
Template web design pros and cons
When it comes to building a website, choosing between a custom design and a template-based approach can significantly impact your project’s outcome. Understanding the pros and cons of using pre-designed templates can help you make an informed decision that aligns with your goals, budget, and brand identity.
Pros
Templates are tried and tested designs
Template web designs are thoroughly tested and refined to provide a highly effective user experience, tailored to the specific needs of the industry.
They are quick to implement
Template websites are quick to implement and can get up and running far quicker than a bespoke site.
It’s cheaper
If you’re looking to quickly refresh your existing site, a template design is a good option that won’t cost you too much money.
Cons
The website might look generic
As website templates have been tried and tested, there is a risk that they will look a bit overused and similar to other sites.
Templates are more limiting
Templates can be a bit more limiting, meaning that if you require new functionality updates in the future, you may find that the website template cannot support it due to its parameters.
SEO can be impacted
Many template websites are built using substandard or outdated code which makes finding and indexing keywords more difficult. Many website design tools were not originally designed for helping businesses gain SEO and so for maximum optimisation, having someone write out the coding is more beneficial.
Bespoke web design pros and cons
When considering web design options, bespoke design offers a highly personalised approach that can set your website apart from the competition. Unlike template-based designs, bespoke web design is tailored specifically to your brand’s unique needs, goals, and aesthetic preferences.
Pros
It’s bespoke!
A bespoke website design is exactly that- bespoke! This means it can really impress your audience and help to attract customers, setting you apart from your competitors.
It allows for increased functionality
While a template website might suit your business at the moment, if you choose to change the direction of your brand in the future it may be a bit limited. A bespoke website allows for increased functionality as and when you should need it.
SEO is better
Website SEO is generally better on bespoke sites as designers can ensure quick loading speeds throughout the designing of the project, unlike template-built websites that can get bogged down with too many features.
They’re more secure
Security is increased with using a bespoke design as the web code is written from scratch making it much harder for hackers than a premade template. This is an important consideration depending on your business. If you deal with lots of personal information and data, you’re likely to want your website to be more secure.
Cons
Bespoke designs take longer
If you’re short of time or need your website designed quickly then a template design may be the best option for you. Bespoke websites take far longer to create and get up and running due to the amount of work that goes into them.
They cost more
Bespoke sites cost more as they require more work. Choosing a bespoke design is a real investment in your business and should be considered.
Creativity is required to plan website design
Sometimes the hardest part of creating a website is deciding on what creative direction you want to take your business in. With the endless possibilities of bespoke website design, it is difficult to choose what to include. This is why design agencies like us at Milk & Tweed can help you understand your business goals and outline the creative direction to take your business in!
So, would you be better off with a template-based site or one that was custom-built for you? Get in touch with us today to see how we can help you.
