When designing a website for your business, you have two main options: custom web design or using templates.

Custom web design allows for more flexibility and specific features that cater to your needs. At the same time, template websites are easier to get up and running fast.

Which choice is best for you? That depends on your budget, timeline, content, features needed, and other factors that are specific to your business needs.

Templates are a great way to quickly get a basic website up and running. They often offer pre-defined layouts and designs with text, images, and other content that you can easily change. Templates are also more economical than custom web design. However, suppose you want a website that is uniquely yours and tailored to your specific needs. In that case, custom web design is a better option.

Custom websites are built from scratch based on the content that you provide. You can choose which features and functionality your website needs, including contact forms, membership areas, blogs, social media integration, mobile-friendly designs, eCommerce capabilities, and more. Let's take a deep dive into a comparison and find out which option is best for you!

Custom Web Design

Custom web design is a process of designing a website from "scratch" based on the specific needs and requirements of the client. The designer will work with the client to develop a design that meets their needs and then will build the website using code or (more likely) a website builder. This planning often results in a website tailored to the client's business. It is unique from any other website on the internet.

It would not be uncommon for the web designer to start with a template and build from there. But, the finished product should not look like it a template. The template can help get some elements in place and reduce the time spent doing the little things. The designer should work with their client to find a design they like, and if it draws influence from a template, so be it.

The benefits of custom web design

When you choose custom web design, you get a website specifically tailored to your needs and your business. You can select the features and functionality your website needs, and you can be sure that it will look unique and professional.

Custom web design also allows for more flexibility and creativity, so you can make your website stand out from the competition. However, it can be more time-consuming and expensive than using a template.

Advantages of custom web design

• You get to choose which features you want your website to have
• Your website is truly unique and tailored to you and your business
• Your website will be highly flexible and creative

Cost of Custom Web Design

Custom web design isn't cheap, and it will cost more than website templates. However, the cost of custom web design may vary greatly depending on your specific needs. It's important to discuss the price with potential designers before hiring them. Create a clear scope of work so expectations, pricing, and timing are all agreed upon before working together. 

Factors that can affect the cost of custom web design include the number of pages you need, timeline, how much custom coding is required, etc.

According to Freshbooks, the average cost to flush out a full website, including content, is $6,760. That is pretty steep for most small businesses, and you can certainly find it cheaper than that.

For a basic website for a service-based small business or restaurant, you can get a quality site built for between $1,000 and $2,000.

Again, the price will vary based on what features you need. Are you providing content, or will the designer have to either write it or outsource it themselves? Many factors come into play when it comes to pricing out custom websites.

I try to keep my pricing pretty transparent. I even have a calculator on my custom web design page that gives clients an estimate of what it will cost them before we meet. Some might say that is a bad idea, but I like being upfront with cost, so no one is surprised when it comes time to discuss pricing.

Website Templates

Website templates are pre-built designs that you can pick from to create your website. They have the basic design already in place, and you can choose elements to add to it, such as text, images, buttons, etc.

Template providers often provide hundreds of options for you to choose from so you can easily find one that fits with your business or industry. You do not need any coding knowledge to get a template up and running quickly.

Below you can scroll through my collection of templates for my DIY Website Membership.