Custom or Template Web Design?

Today, most people prefer shortcuts – fast and simple ways to get a project done. A project that used to take months – like building a website – can be done in hours. But is quicker always better?

Go Daddy recently released their new website builder, an easy way to build your website. With their builder, Go Daddy now offers hundreds of new template designs and a free domain name with purchase, along with what they describe as easy design tools. While this may be a tempting option for building your website it may not be the best choice for your business.

So how do you know what’s best for you? Ask yourself these important questions when choosing the right web design option for your company:

1)   How much do you need to differentiate your services from others who are selling your service or product? If you’re selling a unique product and you have very few competitors, your website doesn’t need to necessarily set you apart from other businesses. In this case, a template design may work well for you. On the other hand, if selling your story is part of your service and sales, a custom website will be best to engage prospects.

2)   Do you need to update your content yourself on a regular basis? For those of you who don’t know how to program or develop a website but need to constantly update your site, a template design will help you do so easily. However, most sites need less updating than you might think. A well-developed custom site may only need to be updated when business information, such as your employee bios or list of awards, change.

3)   What is your budget? Arguably the most important question you must ask yourself is how much money you can spend on your site. You have to weigh the cost of custom and template designs with your need to differentiate yourself from competitors.

Choosing between a template and custom web design can be difficult. Templates are usually easier and less expensive but they may not be the most beneficial to your business. Sometimes spending a little more money on a custom site now will show a greater return in the future. If you decide to start with a template, remember that you can always switch over to a custom design later.

Still not sure which option is right for you? Call us. We would be happy to share additional information that can help you make your decision.

Published on: June 20, 2013