Template websites, also called semi-bespoke website templates when they’re tailored to the individual business like we do here at WEBPRO, are a really good option for a lot of businesses. These website designs balance the need for individuality and unique branding with the website functionality that most businesses require.
But there often comes a time when businesses outgrow their template website and want something better. Template websites aren’t usually easily scalable, so when does it come time to transition to a fully bespoke website? That’s what we’ll be looking at here.
What is a bespoke website?
A bespoke website is a website that is designed and developed without any pre-made template. Whereas a template website uses a pre-determined structure to create the site, a bespoke website doesn’t come with this limitation. This allows the website to look and function in any way that is technologically possible without having to compromise.
You can consider the differences between a template website and bespoke web design as similar to buying a house or building a house. When you buy a house, the structure has already been made. You might be able to make slight modifications, but most of the structure of the property cannot be changed, at least not without incurring some costs, and potentially making a bit of a mess in the interim. On the other hand, if you buy land to build a property, your architect can come up with your perfect home exactly as you envision it. In the world of web design, the architect is the website designer.
What are the advantages of going bespoke?
The advantages of getting a bespoke website over a template website are:
- You own a completely unique website
- You own a website that meets your exact business needs, including from a functionality perspective
- Your website is distinguishable from competitors’ websites, which can make a difference in consumer impressions and conversions
- Your website can be 100% tailored to your brand
- Your website is scalable as your business grows, which isn’t often possible with template designs
The bottom line is that website visitors can see and feel the difference when you have a bespoke website. This can make a huge difference to their purchasing decisions and it could help you convert more leads. If you’re already investing in online marketing to get eyeballs on your website, a bespoke website may increase ROI in these other areas.
What businesses should get a bespoke website?
As we mentioned at the start, template websites do a great job for many businesses. So, at what point does a business move to a bespoke website? There isn’t one single answer to this question, but based on experiences with our clients, we usually see businesses make the step up when either:
- The business has grown and its website no longer reflects them
- Their existing website’s functionality doesn’t match their current needs, which may be related to the above
- The business is facing stronger competition and wants to stand out to maintain or increase their market share
- More resources become available
However, for a business to get the most from a bespoke service, they don’t just need to invest money. Bespoke website design gets much better results when a collaborative process is used between the client and the web design agency. Therefore, you must be prepared to invest some of your time for optimum results.
100% bespoke website design services at WEBPRO
WEBPRO offers fully bespoke web design services. Our friendly team can help if you’re unsure if you should go bespoke or stick with a template website. We will assess your needs on individual merit and never try to unnecessarily up-sell. Get in touch to discuss your options without obligation.
Recap: A bespoke website is a 100% unique site that is developed to meet the exact needs of the business. The main benefit of bespoke websites is they stand out from the crowd, which usually increases conversions and maximises marketing investments elsewhere. Businesses usually switch to a bespoke website when they outgrow their current site or face stronger competition in their market. But you must be prepared to also invest time into the process as the best bespoke websites require a collaborative client-designer approach.
WEBPRO Knows
94% of first impressions of a website are related to its design. Having a bespoke website therefore makes you repeatedly stand out.
