Choosing between hiring a web designer or buying one of the many web templates available online can be a tough decision. Many people think hiring a custom web designer is a waste of money since website templates can be found for as low as $10. However, they often overlook the fact that cheap options can end up being costly in the long run.
Did you know you could lose 94% of your customers because of poor design and lack of trust in your website design?
Infographic Source – Custom Web Design Vs Website Templates
Without further ado, here are 5 reasons why custom web designs is better than website templates:
- Custom designs gives your business credibility
While you may be constantly searching for ways to cut costs and boost your profits as a business owner, purchasing a website template could actually harm your business. A website template makes it hard to set your business apart and develop a distinctive online presence. Think of your website as your storefront; it serves as your marketing tool and should reflect your professional image. The more polished your image is, the more trustworthy you appear. Remember, you want your business to stand out, and a website template might not help you achieve that.
- Customized web designs minimize limitations
Website templates are a one-size-fits-all. For example, they may not be equippedand ready with all ecommerce functionalities. That means they may have some limitations which cannot be removed. Custom web design on the other hand won’t have such limitations. Custom web design allows you to choose what you want and how you like it.
- Custom design creates a website that is compatible to all browsers
Many people overlook this feature, yet it can make or break your website. Not everyone uses the most recent browser to browse the net. Some even use different browsers to access the same site. The only way to guarantee that your website will properly display on Mozilla, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Opera and Safari is to hire a custom web designer.
- Custom web design ensures your site is search engine friendly
A professional web designer will ensure your website is search engine optimized. It is critical to get the CSS and HTML code right and build your website that will give you a head start when it comes to search engine rakings. There are no such assurances in website templates.
- Custom web design ensures your website is tailored to your audience
If you have very specific requirements, then you need a custom web designer. It is critical to have a website that reflects the needs of your customers. Generic templates might not be able to take this into consideration.
However, there are situations where a website template may do. For example, if you don’t have the time, money and resources to hire a custom designer, a website template may come in handy. But once you have built brand and online presence, custom web design is critical.
Here are additional pros and cons of custom web design vs. website templates.