Customized website vs. template: choosing the right option

I think we can all agree on the importance of a beautiful, modern and easy-to-use website. But one question remains - should you opt for a customized website or a template from a web platform?

A customized website is not cheap. If you work with a design agency, the costs start at around €2000 for a simple website. So why would you pay that much money when you can create a website for far less with website builders like Squarespace, Wix and Weebly?

Until a few years ago, I would have always said that only custom-made websites were the right answer. However, web builders and templates have improved so much in recent years that it's no longer so easy to say that.

Here is a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of both options to help you make your decision:

Customized websites

Websites built from the ground up require a whole team of digital experts to take care of online marketing, content, design and development as well as social media and search engine optimization.

It starts with the creative process, who is your target group, who do you want to reach, how should the website work and how should your company be presented?

Search engine optimization also plays a very important role in the success of a website. This is where customized websites are particularly good. The web designer and programmer can optimize the website during creation so that Google and other search engines can easily find each page and thus these websites often have a better ranking in the search results.

The advantages are:

1. A completely unique design that integrates the company's branding

2. The website adapts to the needs of the company and grows with it

3. Personalized user experience

4. Tested and functional in all current browsers

5. Search engine friendly

Disadvantages are:

1. Costs: higher costs for design and development

2. Time: Design and development take longer

3. Design: the quality of the design depends on the designer

Website Builder

A website builder is a platform that helps you to create a website. They are developed in such a way that they can be used by beginners and experienced designers without extensive programming knowledge.

The advantages are:

1. Modern and very appealing design

2. The design adapts to all devices and screen sizes

3. The design can be adapted to individual requirements

4. Time saving, as a website can be created very quickly

5. Lower costs for design and creation

6. Search engine optimization functions

Disadvantages are:

1. Many companies can use the same template

2. No customized functionalities for a personalized user experience

3. Lack of flexibility, as you cannot take the templates with you to another provider

4. Some plugins and widgets can slow down templates and have a negative impact on search engine optimization

Conclusion

The choice between a customized website or a template depends on a number of factors such as budget, target group, company size and what the website should do.

For freelancers and start-ups with a lower budget who need a website to share their services, products, events, contact information and portfolio with potential customers, a website platform is a great solution and highly recommended.

Companies with a larger budget that require a customized and more complex website should opt for a tailor-made solution.