At EggCup Web Design we aim to deliver websites to suit most budgets. We build the majority of our sites using WordPress. The WordPress CMS is already a cost-effective content management platform in and of itself.
But if you run a small business or startup and have a limited budget, one of the key considerations when it comes to price is whether to use a ready-made off-the-shelf theme or opt for a custom-built solution instead.
To help you decide, this blog post will briefly outline the advantages and disadvantages of having a bespoke WordPress theme designed. To help with your decision, you may also wish to read about the pros and cons of using an off-the-shelf template too.
Advantages
1). Tailored quality
The bespoke themes we build at EggCup Web Design are mobile-friendly out of the box. We use the latest web development technologies such as HTML5, CSS3, and semantic markup to make sure that search engines understand your website, and to make it more appealing to your visitors.
Of course, there are plenty of responsive off-the-shelf themes out there too. But our experience is that it’s rare to find a prepackaged solution that ticks all of the following boxes:
- Mobile friendly
- Accessible to disabled users
- Uses the latest web technologies appropriately
- Fits the client’s own specific requirements
Alternatively, every theme we build includes all these great features by default. This allows us to deliver websites that deliver a superior return on investment.
2). Your brand is unique
So why shouldn’t your website be unique too? The world now has in excess of 1.7 billion websites. With WordPress now powering 35% of those websites there’s a good chance that not just one website, but thousands are going to be using the same off-the-shelf theme as yours.
The web is a busy place that’s full of noise, and your website needs to stand out. That’s where a bespoke WordPress theme comes to the rescue!
Not to mention the fact that as a business you have a brand, and you rely upon that brand being distinctive and memorable. I can smell an off-the-shelf template from a mile away (it’s quite embarrassing how many so-called ‘web designers’ use them on their own sites actually). A custom theme is one of the best branding investments you can make.
3). Flexibility
Within the bounds of what’s possible with modern web technologies, the possibilities for a custom-built website are almost limitless. You can have a website that is designed to your exact specification.
This goes way beyond the typical limited design options you get with an off-the-shelf theme. With a bespoke theme, making changes to layout and design elements is much more easily achieved.
Off-the-shelf themes tend to do one or two things really well. But the problem is they never do enough to cover all the bases for a typical small business website.
4). Performance and efficiency
An off-the-shelf theme tries to be all things to all people. This additional flexibility requires additional code. Chances are, you’ll almost certainly won’t use many of the features that come with your prepackaged theme.
A custom solution is built for your requirements. The lack of fluff makes it load faster because it requires less processing at both the server end and in the visitors’ web browser. The difference really is noticeable!
5). Support
Have a problem with your custom theme? We’re here to help. If the problem is caused by a bug in our code, then we’ll be on hand to fix it. Off-the-shelf themes often don’t enjoy the same standard of support.
If there are changes you’d like made in the future then we can make those additions cost-effectively, since we already know how your theme works. No need to waste time posting questions on support forums in the hope that some kind soul will help you.
Disadvantages
1). Cost
Let’s not beat about the bush. We’d all have wardrobes full of tailored suits if they were as cheap as regular clothes. The price we charge for bespoke WordPress themes takes account of the extra work that goes into building them, and the extra value that comes out.
If you have specific ideas about how you’d like your site to look, and what you want it to do, then a bespoke theme is perfect for you. And if you’ve been looking at the off-the-shelf garden variety themes and haven’t found anything suitable, it makes perfect sense to commission a custom-build instead.
2). Time
Building a theme from scratch takes time. It won’t take an enormous amount of time for a simple site, but it won’t be as quick as installing a pre-built theme. One of the greatest advantages of off-the-shelf themes is how much they accelerate the website build. If you really are in a hurry a bespoke theme might not be the best option for you just yet.
A word of warning though: I always encourage clients who are in a rush to take a step back. It’s easy to overlook key elements if a build is rushed. Making fundamental changes later on then becomes expensive. Even switching between off-the-shelf themes is not as easy as you might think once you have a live website.
Conclusion
Whichever route you choose, remember that a good website is an investment, not an expense to be minimised at all costs. If you do nothing else, hire a professional. Of course it’s in my interests to say this, but it makes good business sense for both of us.
Your business needs you to do you what you do best. Whether you’ve reached a decision on which type of theme you’d like on your site or not, contact us and we’ll stick the kettle on.
