Custom Website vs. Website Template: Which One’s Right for You?
If you are thinking about getting a website for your business, but you find yourself wondering what the difference between if you should go… ‘custom website vs template website’… If you have been wondering which is right for your business then you are in the right place. Because if you are not sure if you need a fully custom website or if a website template will do the trick? You’re not alone! This is one of the most common questions I get from clients, and a lot of business owners.
The truth? Both options can help you grow your business… If you choose the one that matches your goals, timeline, and season of business. Below, I’ve broken it down clearly so you can finally make a confident decision. Lets jump into it together, starting with all things custom websites.
Custom website vs template website: 5 Reasons to Choose a Custom Website
1. You’ve outgrown your current site and need a fresh start
→ You’ve evolved, your offers are premium, and your site needs to reflect that. This is for the business owner who are starting to find their feet with their offer suite and the direction of their business. And now they want to start showing up as an authority within their niche.
2. You want a completely tailored brand + user journey
→ From structure to design to buyer psychology, it’s all bespoke. If you want something that is seamless and bespoke to your business. Then a custom website design and build is your best option. This allows every step of your user experience to be bespoke to your business and meet both your needs. AND the needs of your ideal clients. This means you get to be known as the go-to business owner in your niche. This improves your creditability, and improves your time management through the use of systems and funnels. Giving you so much more time back in your business, creating more of a hands off business model!
3. You’re ready to raise your prices or launch a high-ticket offer
→ Custom builds elevate your authority and boost perceived value. Remember your website is the store front to your business. This means first impressions do matter, this is especially the case if you are launching a new offer or service. If you want to show up as the go-to person for the problem you solve or the services you provide your website needs to look the part. This is where a bespoke option is great.
4. You want advanced functionality or integrations
→ A custom build allows full flexibility with tech, booking, and funnels. If you want your website to do more for your business then a custom website is more than likely your best option. This means you get to do more through your website and reduce the amount of manual tasks you have to do within your business. Because your website allows you to do more for your business with you doing less!
5. You value 1:1 support, strategy, and peace of mind – And don’t want to build your own website
→ You want a designer to think through it all with you, not DIY it. This is for all the business owners who:
- Don’t have the time to build their own website.
- You don’t have the time or the energy to build your website nor do you want to.
- For the business owners who don’t like tech and would rather not go near and it and would rather have a professional build your website.
- You don’t have an eye for design or strategy.
- You would love the luxury experience of getting your website made from a professional designer
If any of these apply or resonate with you then hiring a professional designer is the right option for you. No matter if you have a website or have tried to build one before. If you know your time can be better used else where then hiring someone will always be the best option.
Reasons You Might Not Choose a Custom Website
- It requires a higher investment – If you’re not ready to spend £2k–£5k+ on a custom website. A template may be smarter for now.
- The process can take longer – Typically 6–8+ weeks, so if you need something live fast, this might feel slow. But this said there are loads of incredible designers who can build you a website in one day. But there are loads of incredible designers who can build you a website in a day. The only thing I will say about this… Is that this does tend to be simplier website that don’t require a lot of intergrations or complex set ups.
Custom website vs template website: 5 Reasons to Choose a Website Template
1. You want a site that looks pro… But faster + more affordable
→ You’re ready to look legit, without custom pricing or timelines. A template website is a great option if you want to get launched quick, with a template that has design and strategy baked into it. If you are short on time and you are happy and comfortable editing a website template with your content and branding then this is great option.
2. You’re early in business or refining your offers
→ A template gives you room to evolve without pressure. This is great for business owners who want a website that is going to grow with them. But they don’t want to wait until they have ‘everything’ together in order for them to take the first step they want a website that is going to help them show up from where they are in their business, rather than ‘waiting until they are ready’.
3. You want more control + confidence
→ Easily update your site yourself (my Showit templates are made for this). This is so good for the active business owner. If you are someone when an evolving in business and you like to be hands on with your website. And you want the freedom and confidence of going into the backend of your website to make edits then a template is a great option. As you would have initally added all your own content, branding and made design tweaks, so making small content edits would be no for you at all.
4. You’re promoting a specific offer or launching something soon
→ Templates are perfect for launching with impact fast. If you are launching or you need a highly converting sales page a website template or a sales page template is a great option. It allows you to get up and running in under a week or even a few hours. This gives you full design control and freedom to get up and running as soon as you invest in your template. One of the best things about this is that you can use your template over and over again.
5. You still want conversion strategy baked in
→ My templates are built on the same principles I use with 1:1 clients. The template I am creating have the same highly converting sales strategy that I use with my custom clients. This means if you invest in one of my website templates you get the design and highly converting strategy backed into the template. This means all you have to do it update your content and brand colours and you are good to go. With a highly converting website that you haven’t had to worry about when it comes to the strategy.
If any of these options resonate with you and where are you at with your business. Then you will have a clear and confident idea of what is right for your business based on where you are right now in business. And where you want to take your business.
Reasons You Might Not Choose a template
- You’ll need to customise it yourself – If you don’t have the time or energy, that might feel overwhelming. And depending on how busy you are in business you may never get round to actually using your template and launching.
- You want something 100% unique – templates have structure in place, which means less flexibility. Depending on where you purchase your template some will come with limiation. This is something you should always bare in mind if you want a website that will grow with your business.
The Final Word: You Can Win With Either… If It’s Strategic
Whether you’re building a high-end coaching brand or launching your first VA business, both paths can support your goals. But only if your website is strategically designed to sell. This can be done with a custom website or a website template. Its all about knowing whats right for your business now and the direction you want to take your business in.
If you want 1:1 support with a custom website, I currently have 1 premium custom website design slot left for August. Simply get in contact below and lets have a chat about what is right for your business.
And if a conversion-focused template sounds more like your next step. I have got you! Join the waitlist now to get 20% off my Timeless Template Shop when it launches.
✨ Bonus: First 4 signups get a free strategy call with me worth over £250 with an action plan to help you get your website launched in a week.
How can we can work together Sim? – I am so glad you asked
Click the button below to book your custom website or sales page in with me today and let’s create a space online that sells while you sleep. And create a beautiful website that reflects your business, and gets your business seen. Stand out with a website that is truely yours.
To book fill out the contact form below or get in contact directly.
More information about my upcoming Timeless Template Shop
But if you’re looking for a more hands-on approach with your sales page, I’ve got you covered. I’m currently building my template shop to support business owners who love working on their own terms. You can join the waitlist today for 20% off the entire shop when it launches. Plus, the first four people to invest will get a free strategy session with me, worth over £250. We’ll plan your full website strategy together, step by step. You’ll also get a bespoke action plan to follow with total clarity. This will give you the exact steps you need to confidently launch your website within a week.
However… If you’re still figuring things out, join my email list for expert web design tips and exclusive offers. This is a great place to get a feel for all things, design, websites sales pages and SEO.