When creating a new website, you often hear the terms “custom web design” and “template website.” Your decision between these two options can significantly affect the final outcome of your website.

So, what’s the difference between custom-made designs and website templates? In this article, we’ll answer that question and clarify these concepts. The goal is to give you all the information you need to make the best decision for your next website design project. Let’s get started!

What is Custom Web Design vs. Template Design?

When people say “web design,” they usually mean the whole process of building a website, coming up with ideas, designing the look, coding, and putting it online. So, if you search for a web design agency on Google, you expect to find a company that can help you with all these steps.

But really, “web design” should only refer to how the website looks, not the whole process. Still, people use “web design” to mean the full process of creating a website, whether it’s custom or made with a template.

• Custom Web Design: This is when a designer creates a website from scratch, made just for your project. The designer will learn about your business and make a unique design that fits your needs.
• Template Website: A template is a pre-made website layout you can buy online. You can change small things like your logo, colors, and fonts, but the main design is already set. Templates are often used with tools like WordPress, which help you build a website without needing to know much about coding.

A Simple Example

Let’s say you’re redecorating your dining room and need new furniture. You have two options:

1. You could go to a store like IKEA, pick a piece of furniture you like, and buy it. It might look good and work in your home, but it wasn’t made specifically for your space. You can’t change its size or color if it’s not available. This is like using a template, it works, but it’s not fully customizable.
2. Or, you could hire a carpenter to make a custom piece of furniture. The carpenter would measure your room, ask about your preferences, and build something that fits perfectly. It’s like using custom web design, where the website is built exactly to fit your needs.

Advantages of Custom Web Design

1. Unique Design: Custom web design makes your website one-of-a-kind. No other business will have the same design, which helps you stand out from competitors. In contrast, many websites might use the same templates.
2. Made Just for You: Designers create custom websites to fit your exact needs. You’ll only get the features you want, ensuring everything works exactly as you need.
3. Works with Any Technology: You can build a custom website using any platform or technology, like WordPress, Elementor, Figma, or HTML. Designers can tailor it to your preferred system.
4. Matches Your Brand: If your business has a clear brand style, custom design will match it perfectly. This keeps your website consistent with your other marketing materials.
5. Optimized for Speed: Since designers create your custom website specifically for you, it won’t include unnecessary features that slow it down. The design ensures optimal performance based on your needs.
6. Team Collaboration: While building a custom website, experts like SEO specialists and marketing professionals collaborate to make sure the final product meets your business goals.

Advantages of Using a Template Website

1. Less Expensive: A template is usually cheaper than custom web design. You can find affordable templates for platforms like WordPress or Elementor. Just be careful to choose one that has the features you need and works well with your project.
2. Regular Updates: Most templates come with support and updates for at least a year, so your website will stay up-to-date and working well. After the first year, you may need to pay for continued updates.
3. Faster Setup: Since you’re using a pre-designed layout, building a template website is usually quicker than custom design. You can skip the design stage and just make small adjustments. However, unexpected problems can still cause delays.

Which One Should You Choose: Custom Web Design or Template?

Both custom web design and templates have their own pros and cons, so it depends on what kind of website you need.

• Custom Web Design: This option gives you a fully unique website, tailored specifically to your brand and business. It offers better performance and flexibility in terms of design and functionality.
• Template Website: Templates are a cheaper option that can still give you a professional-looking website. They’re quicker to set up and easier to manage, especially if you’re using a platform like WordPress or Elementor.

Our Recommendation

If you’re looking for high-quality templates that offer both variety and flexibility, we recommend checking out Rometheme templates. They provide a wide range of options for different types of businesses and projects. Their templates work with Elementor, Figma, and HTML, so no matter what platform you prefer, you’ll find a design that fits your needs.