Custom web designs vs template web designs:

When deciding between custom web design and template web design, it's important to understand the key differences, benefits, and drawbacks of each option.

Custom Web Design

Custom web design is a website built from scratch based on the specific needs, goals, and branding of a business. Every aspect of the design is tailored to the business, including layout, functionality, and aesthetics. It gives your website the best chance to stand out amongst competitors.
The design reflects your branding, your target audience’s needs, and your specific goals. This ensures that your website stands out and creates a unique experience for users.
You have complete control over the design and features of the site. There are no limitations in terms of layout, navigation, or functionality. Custom sites can integrate specific tools or features that are unique to your business.
A custom design can be easily updated as your business grows or needs change. New features, content, or a redesign can be incorporated seamlessly without the restrictions often found in template designs.
You also own every part of your custom website design, which means full ownership of its structure, functionality, and code. There are no third-party templates or licenses to worry about.

However custom web design can be significantly more expensive than template designs because it requires a professional designer or developer to create a unique site. 
Since everything is built from scratch, the process can take longer. Depending on the complexity of the site, it may take weeks or even months to complete.
Custom websites often require more maintenance and updates, which can lead to higher long-term costs compared to template-based designs.

Template Web Design

Template web design uses pre-designed, pre-coded layouts that are customisable to a certain extent. These templates can be purchased or freely downloaded from various platforms and then adapted to fit the needs of a business.
Template designs are more affordable because you’re using a pre-made design. The cost typically includes only minor customisation and setup.


Since the design is already created, the development process is much faster. You can have a website up and running in a matter of days or weeks, depending on the customisation required.
Many template-based platforms come with easy-to-use content management systems (CMS) like WordPress, Square space, or Wix. These platforms are often drag-and-drop, making it easy for non-technical users to make updates to the site without a developer.There are thousands of templates available for various industries, so you can easily find a design that suits your business. Many templates are already optimised for mobile use and are SEO-friendly which also makes the process much faster.
Many templates come with built-in features like contact forms, galleries, and blog functionality, so you don’t have to worry about coding or installing extra plugins which makes it suitable for anyone to use.

While templates can be customised to an extent, you’re still limited by the structure and features of the template. Custom functionality may not be possible without extensive coding or development, and some design elements may not fully align with your brand.


Since templates are used by many other businesses, your website may not stand out from the competition. This could be a problem if you want a highly unique or professional web presence that makes a statement.
If many other businesses in your niche use the same template, your site may look similar to theirs, which could undermine your brand’s distinctiveness and also as your business grows, you may find that the template is not flexible enough to accommodate your expanding needs. Adding advanced features may require switching to a custom solution, which can be costly and time-consuming.