When researching web design, you may hear the terms ‘bespoke web design’ and ‘template web design’ being bandied about.
But what do they actually mean, and which is better?
The fact of the matter is, a bespoke website is better – plain and simple. However, these come at a price – literally.
Whether you want or need to pay for one depends on the nature of your business, and your plans for its future. Often, a template website will be more than enough to cover you.
Bespoke v template web design: at a glance
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What is bespoke web design?
So, what actually is bespoke web design?
With bespoke web design, or ‘custom’ web design, your web developer creates your website completely from scratch. It’s completely tailored to the unique needs of your business.
Key features of a bespoke website:
- Database-driven
- Advanced functionality
- Unlimited subpages
Sounds, good right? And it is – but not every business actually needs a bespoke website. More on that later.
Bespoke websites are best for: Database driven websites with advanced functionality, eg. financial services, recruitment, property, gyms, or those that handle large volumes of personal data.
What is template web design?
All websites look different on the surface, but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find that many are in fact versions of the same template. This is a quick and affordable way for web design agencies to deliver websites to their customers, and it’s an idea that’s not without its benefits.
That said, a template website won’t cut the mustard for lots of businesses.
Template websites are best for: Websites requiring less functionality, eg. restaurants, personal trainers, tradespeople.
But what about website builders?
If you only need a simple online presence, a website builder could be a great way to cut out the middleman (aka the web designer) and have a go at making one yourself.
With a website builder, you are basically personalising a pre-populated online template, and you pay a small amount each month to keep the site live.
Check out our guide to the top 5 website builders, or the best website builders for small businesses for more info.
Bespoke web design: Pros and cons
Let’s examine the core advantages and disadvantages of a bespoke/custom website:
Pros of bespoke web design:
1. It’s bespoke!
The clue’s in the name; a bespoke website is unique, and will really wow your crowd. If you know your website plays a big role in attracting customers, and you want them to be seriously impressed, think of a bespoke website as a good investment. It’ll really help set you apart from competitors.
2. It’s more flexible
A template website may fit your needs right now, but if you branch out in a different direction further down the line, you might find it too limited. You can easily add new functionality to a bespoke website as you need it.
3. The SEO is generally better
SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation. Bespoke websites generally have better SEO because the developers who make them have a more in-depth knowledge of how to build websites that Google loves.
Page load speed is also one of the key factors that helps Google to determine where your website should rank, and template formats are often slower than bespoke ones.
4. They’re more secure
Web code that’s been written from scratch is much harder for hackers to crack than a regular template. If you handle lots of personal customer data, this is worth bearing in mind.
Cons of bespoke web design:
As the old maxim goes, “good, fast, cheap – pick two”. Web design is no exception:
1. It takes longer
Do you want it done fast, or do you want it done right? If you fall into the first bracket, a template website will be a better option for you right now. Bespoke websites take far longer to get up and running because of the sheer amount of work that goes into them.
2. It costs more
As you’d expect, bespoke websites cost more because they require a lot more work. Again, you need to think of it as a real investment in your business, rather than a ticked box.
Template web design: Pros and cons
Template websites may not be as technically sophisticated as bespoke ones, but they still have plenty to offer.
Pros of template web design:
1. It’s a tried and tested design
Templates have been tweaked from site to site to offer a near perfect user experience for their specific industry.
2. It’s quick to implement
As template websites involve much less work, they can be up and running far quicker – perfect if you need a website in a hurry.
3. It’s much cheaper
So if your website needs are relatively straightforward, or you want to give an existing site a modern refresh, a template could be the way to go.
▶ Find out more: How much does a website cost?
Cons of template web design:
1. It might look generic
Template websites are tried and tested, yes – but with this comes the risk that they’ll also look a bit tired and generic.
2. It’s more limiting
If you want to add new functionality at a later date, such as ecommerce, you may find your template can’t support it.
Expert verdict
It’s clear that bespoke websites are the all-round winner on the design scene.
That said, they do cost considerably more, and take longer to create. Businesses who are only looking for a simple online presence will most likely find a template website more than adequate.
Whether you want a bespoke or template website, one thing’s for sure; you’ll get a better deal (and a better product) if you compare quotes from a variety of designers. That’s where we can help. Simply fill in this short form to receive custom quotes from agencies who are ready to take on your project, leaving you to sit back and choose the one you best like the sound of.
And if you’re still unsure about which type of website you need, don’t worry – just pop your details in the form and our advisors can talk through your needs, then recommend the best option for you.
