Custom Design vrs. Pre-made Template?

I’ve been getting this question a lot lately, so I thought it might be time to address it. What is the difference between a custom designed website and a pre-made template website? Which is right for you?

First let’s start with some definitions.

Pre-made Template Websites

Pre-made templates designs cut costs by using a pre-made, out of the box, template. You can usually add your own logo, upload your content into the predesigned layout and add or remove pages. Beyond a few options for changing colors or fonts, the design is predetermined by the template and is difficult to modify.

Many templates come with a specific set of features, so it’s important when picking a template to make sure it has the features you need. It can be difficult to add features or change things in the template and it is not recommended.

Note that some templates come with a text-based logo, as well as the option to upload your own logo. Make sure you know this before you purchase any template.

Custom Design Website

A custom design Website has a unique design, made by a professional graphic designer and cannot be used for anyone else. It was made with your branding, your target market and your design style in mind. Because we are starting from scratch, a custom design is very flexible and adaptable. You have plenty of room for all the features you need, without code bloat or extra fluff features you are never going to use that can slow down a website.

Along the same lines, a custom design is scalable should your business grow. You can add features, remove features allowing the website to grow with you.

Website templates can work under the right circumstances.
They might work great for you if you fit the following:

• have limited budget
• have only limited content, such as text and photos.
• have no complex functionality
• are flexible on the design and layout

A custom design is recommended for you if…

• you want a completely unique design that no one else can use
• your branding is important to you
• have complex functionality
• plan on adding features in the future.
• get a decent amount of traffic

Now for my opinion. I generally prefer custom designed websites for a few reasons. I believe custom built sites are a higher quality product. The coding is higher quality, the branding is created specifically for your business and the websites last longer and are more scalable for future growth.

When coding a website from scratch, I can guarantee that the site will work well, be up the highest standards of SEO and standards compliant coding, and fit all your needs.

Nonetheless, many businesses are working with limited capital, and here at KL Creative Design, we pride ourselves in helping people grow their business. We understand this. We never upsell for the sake of upselling, but only if we feel it would benefit you. Many templates are notoriously poorly coded or even broken. Being a coder myself, bad code makes my brain twitch.

Don’t get me wrong, pre-made templates have their place. When chosen with the help of a professional and under the right parameters, a pre-made template might be the stepping stone needed to help your business grow to the next level.

If you have any specific questions about which packages is right for you, I’d be more than happy to discuss with you. Fill out this form to schedule a free project consultation and get started with your project.