Template or Custom? What Kind of Web Design Is Right for You?

With over 2 billion websites out there, having an online presence is no longer optional. Your brand needs a standout web design to get noticed for all the right reasons. Studies show 75% of opinions on brand credibility come from web design so, yeah, it’s important.

Good Web Design = Brand Credibility

When users visit your website, they judge your brand’s credibility based on its design and usability. This happens subconsciously and within seconds. In fact, 38% of people will stop engaging with a site if they find it unattractive. Web design isn’t just about looking good; it’s about converting leads. These days, small businesses have two main options for web design:

1. Using a template web-building tool (like Wix, Squarespace, etc.)
2. Working with a web design team (like us!) to build a custom website

So, Template or Custom?

It really depends.

Here are 5 key things to consider when choosing between a template and a custom website:

Quality of the Finished Product

Tools like Weebly, Squarespace, or Wix are great and getting better, but they come with limitations. You’ll start with a basic design that sets your color scheme, spacing, navigation, header, footer, and more. While these sites can be fine, they often lack the unique “pizzazz” of custom websites. Plus, you’ll need to handle quality assurance and testing yourself.

Level of Sophistication

If you just need a simple contact form and maybe an events calendar, a template can work. But for more complex needs, like custom applications, infographics, or client portals, you’ll want a custom website. With JDM Digital, we take your ideas and make them look great and perform even better. Our tech experts turn your vision into reality with personalized coding.

Learning Curve of Web Design

Templates are great, but they’re not for everyone. Web design can be tough, even with drag-and-drop features. If you’re running a business, you might not have the time or energy to perfect your site. Offloading this to JDM Digital lets you focus on what you do best, while we handle the design and development.

Branding and Logo Design

For new entrepreneurs, branding and logo design might still be on your to-do list. Many DIY tools don’t offer these services or provide generic templates. You could get branding from a creative agency and then build the site yourself, but we believe branding is most effective when it’s integrated into every aspect of your site. With a custom website, we ensure everything from fonts to icons aligns with your brand identity, giving visitors a cohesive and memorable experience.

When Could a DIY Website Be the Right Choice?

Custom websites are awesome. We sure think so! It’s kind of like our job and passion, or whatever… But, we want to be honest with you. Sometimes a DIY website builder is a better choice. If you’re just starting out and need a basic informational site, a template can be a good temporary solution. It’s affordable and gets you online quickly. For businesses like small restaurants or food trucks that just need to share basic info like location and menu, a template might be perfect.

Remember, you can always upgrade to a custom site later when the timing and resources are right.

When the Choice is Custom, Choose JDM Digital

If a custom website feels right for you, you’re in the right place. Our talented team of web design nerds can design and build a site that’s completely tailored to you and your brand.

Let’s build something you and your prospects will be geeked-out about!  It all starts with a beer, or an ice tea.