When do you need to go bespoke?
What is a bespoke website and what are the benefits of owning one? We answer these questions and explain when you will or won’t need one. If you already own a template website and want your business to grow, it could be time for an upgrade.
What is a bespoke website?
A bespoke website is a website that has been completely tailor-made to the client’s needs and preferences. Every aspect of a bespoke website can be designed in a way suited to the client.
In comparison, a website made from a template has a set structure and is limited in what can be changed. Some aspects of template websites can be adapted to the business and client’s needs, whereas other aspects cannot.
We can compare the differences to making a cake. Bespoke website design is like baking a cake with any ingredient and topping you want. And template web design is like decorating a pre-baked cake.
What are the benefits of a bespoke website?
The key benefits of owning a bespoke website are:
- You own a website that is made to match your exact needs and preferences
- The website is 100% unique, which is noticeable among consumers and clients
- The website can offer unique and trailblazing functionality that your competitors don’t have
- Bespoke websites are scalable; they can be adapted as your business grows, which isn’t always possible with template websites
- Bespoke websites have greater SEO potential, enabling them to perform better on Search Engine Result Pages (SERPs) and attract more visitors
How much does bespoke web design cost?
Bespoke web design services can cost anywhere from £1,500 to £10,000+. The range in cost is due to the skill level and experience of the web development agency and the exact type of website you’re creating. Naturally, some bespoke websites have more pages, and some require much more work to accommodate the client’s desired website functions.
In any case, bespoke website design will always cost considerably more than template web design because it requires a lot more work from everyone involved. Consequently, it takes longer to complete a bespoke website as well.
If you see bespoke web design services advertised at a cheaper cost, it’s likely that the developer is just using a template design and selling the “bespoke” aspect by adding your branding, etc. to the template website.
Is a bespoke website worth it to you?
A bespoke website has the potential to increase website visitors, capture more of the market from competitors and increase sales. But not every business needs a bespoke website. Sometimes a semi-bespoke template website will work just as well for the business’s current standing.
When you might need a bespoke website:
- Template websites don’t offer the functionality you need
- All your competitors have bespoke websites
- You expect your business to grow quickly
- You need a particularly large website with lots of pages
When a semi-bespoke template website will work fine:
- When you don’t need special functionality
- When competitors are also using template websites (unless you want to get ahead!)
- When you don’t expect to “outgrow” your website in the short to medium term
- When a template site covers all the pages you need
Bespoke and semi-bespoke template web design at WEBPRO
WEBPRO offers both semi-bespoke template and fully bespoke web design services from our all-action creative agency. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our friendly team if you want to know more about our website design services. We can also help with other aspects of your website, including branding, content and much more under one roof.
Recap: A bespoke website is when a developer creates a website from scratch and is able to meet all the requirements and preferences of the client. They exceed template websites because they offer uniqueness, increased functionality, scalability and enhanced SEO potential. Due to these benefits, they cost more than template websites and take longer to create. You won’t always need a bespoke website, but if you want to eat up more of your market, they will be worth the investment.
P.S. Even if you don’t need a bespoke website, you should be looking to get a new website every two to three years!
