Bespoke Versus Template Web Design

Abigail Andrews
21
May 2009

I thought it would be useful to provide a summary of the pros and cons of using website templates versus paying for a completely unique bespoke web design.

For those looking to start their online business or take the step online for an established business, it’s quite important to understand the key differences between template and bespoke web design. A simple table of pros and cons is below:

Bespoke/ Custom Web Design Templated Customisation Websites
Pros Pros
  • Unique for each client
  • Pages and menus structured to requirments
  • Easily adaptable to changes
  • Can be designed for SEO / search engine friendly
  • Full control of layout design and look of site
  • Professional looking and company branding easily incorperated
  • Designed to individual requirements
  • Greater perceived value and better image presented
  • Scalable to requirements
  • Advanced web design possible
  • Minimal design input from you, so less hassel and less exspense
  • You choose your design
  • You see the complete design from the start to no unpleasant surprises
  • Already designed quick to implement
  • Can be a very cheap solution for small businesses or start-ups
Cons Cons
  • Can be more expensive depending on your requirements
  • Longer design time
  • More input required from you
  • Longer timescale to build
  • Can appear less professional
  • Site NOT unique you may find your design in use elsewhere
  • Can be inflexible as restrained by template
  • Limited scalability due to often inflexible menus
  • Limited control over look and navigation
  • Lower perceived value
  • Not (usually) good for SEO and search engine unfriendly

Conclusion

FABI Designs would recommend if you have unique company branding established, or you are a meduim to large size business, then Bespoke Design is the only way forward for you. However, if you are a small business or even a start-up, and are serious about your online business presense, you should also consider using bespoke designs to get your site just right.

If you are a small business or start up and have little in the budget for a website, or need a very quick online presense, then website templates are always a low cost, even temporary option until you have then budget for a bespoke re-design.

Remember, your website is the first thing that a potential customer may see about your business; if you skimp on the way it looks then that will not sell your services or products.

What is worse than no website at all? Answer: A badly designed site!

If you would like a free consultation please call me on 0113 2797731 / 07818 058158 or fill out our online website quote form.

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One Response
  1. Ezzzooo says:
    September 9, 2009 at 5:16 pm

    Thanks for this, I was speaking to a web design agency recently who mentioned they used templates but I didn’t know what it was. Glad I found this article, templates are not for me, at least now I know!!

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