In the digital landscape, establishing an online presence for your business is essential to stand out from the crowd. A crucial decision in this process is choosing between custom websites and template websites. Both options offer unique advantages and drawbacks, catering to different business needs and preferences.
At PDM Idaho, we understand the major role your website plays in your business’s success. However, we also understand that determining whether a custom website or template website is best for your company may be difficult. If you are considering investing in a new website for your business, keep reading to determine which is best for you and your clientele.
What are Custom Websites?
Custom websites are built from scratch by a trustworthy website developer, web designer, or web design agency. They come with custom designs and codes, perfect for businesses that want to stand out among their competitors. Custom websites are typically built using HTML editors or similar software.
These websites offer a level of flexibility and functionality that is not typically available with most website builders. With custom websites, you can tailor every detail to your business’s needs. However, it is important to note that custom websites do come with some drawbacks.
The Benefits of Custom Websites
Custom Designs
Custom websites are tailored to meet your business’s specific needs and branding requirements. This unique design can help your brand stand out in a crowded online marketplace, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.
SEO-Friendly
With a custom website, you have complete control over the code, content structure, and other SEO elements. This allows you to optimize your website for search engines, improving your visibility and driving organic traffic. If you’ve been struggling with your SEO rankings, this may be a great way to improve it.
Enhanced Security
Custom websites can be built with complex and reliable security measures tailored to your specific needs. Developers can implement advanced security protocols to protect against potential threats and vulnerabilities. This advanced security can be especially useful if you run a doctor’s or dentist’s office and want to abide by HIPAA.
The Drawbacks of Custom Websites
Higher Upfront Cost
Custom websites often require far more time and resources to develop than templated websites. As a result, these websites often come with a high price tag, especially if you need advanced features and functionalities. If you aren’t ready to invest this kind of money in your website, it might not be best for you.
Longer Development Time
Building a custom website from scratch can take longer than using pre-built templates. The development process involves thorough planning, design, and testing phases, which can extend the timeline for launching the website. If you need to get your website online as soon as possible, custom websites may set that timeline back.
Limited Support
Unlike popular content management systems like WordPress or Shopify, custom websites may not have a large community of users or extensive documentation available. This can make it challenging to find solutions to technical issues or receive support from other users.
What are Template Websites?
Template websites allow you to create websites without the need for extensive coding knowledge. Most builders are primarily drag-and-drop platforms, providing templates you can easily customize according to your requirements. They come with built-in features like social media links, inventory management, contact forms, and file managers.
Template websites are great for individuals and small businesses with little or no coding experience. The best template websites allow you to handle everything from design to maintenance, eliminating the need to hire a website developer or designer to make changes to the site.
The Benefits of Template Websites
Quick Development
With template websites, you can have your site up and running relatively quickly. Since much of the design work is already done, you only need to customize the template with your content and branding elements. If you need to get your website online as soon as possible, template websites are a great place to start.
Variety of Options
There is a wide variety of templates available for different industries, purposes, and design preferences. Whether you need a website for e-commerce, portfolio, blog, or business, you can find a template that suits your needs.
Ease of Use
Templates are designed to be user-friendly, even for those without technical expertise. Most templates come with intuitive interfaces and drag-and-drop functionality, making it easy to customize layouts, add content, and manage your site. If you’re new to the game, template websites make web design and development a breeze.
The Drawbacks of Template Websites
Lack of Customization
While templates offer some degree of customization, they may not fully align with your brand identity or specific requirements. You may encounter limitations in terms of design flexibility, layout options, and functionality customization. To achieve a more customized website, it is best to invest in a custom website instead.
Potential Performance Issues
Some template websites may suffer from performance issues, such as slow loading times or compatibility issues across different devices and browsers. This can impact user experience and potentially harm your search engine rankings. If you need something scalable that can evolve with your growing business, a template website might not cut it.
Dependency on Template Provider
When using a template, you’re reliant on the provider for ongoing support, updates, and maintenance. If the provider discontinues support for the template or goes out of business, you may face challenges in maintaining your website’s functionality and security.
The Best Websites from PDM Idaho
Choosing between template and custom websites for your business is easier said than done. With your unique wants and needs for your business, you might not know which is best for you. If that is the case, it is best to work with a reliable marketing team.
If you are looking for a marketing team that offers comprehensive website design and development, look no further than our amazing team at PDM Idaho. Our team of expert graphic designers and web developers can help you achieve the website of your dreams. Our writers ensure your websites are comprehensive, while our SEO team ensures you rank well against the competition.
Our PDM Idaho team can help you create the perfect website for your business at every step, ensuring you are a step above your competitors. No matter what you need from our team, we are here to help. If you want to learn more about our web design and development process, don’t hesitate to reach out to us today.
