I frequently get asked why bespoke websites are superior to template-powered website builders or themes you can download from a marketplace.
It’s a difficult question to answer because the improvements you see in a bespoke website built by us are endless, but I’ve tried to condense some answers below.
Step out from the template
When using a template from a site builder like Squarespace and Wix or a theme from WordPress, you’re often fitting square pegs into round holes; which can often mean the information you have is throttled by the elements you have to fit it into. Our collaborative design process is content-driven; every peg fits into a perfectly shaped hole. Designing and building a bespoke website means the only limitations are those defined by the limits of creativity and we create a website that is as unique as your brand, product or service.
Edit and create new content with ease
With the use of a Content Management System (CMS), all the content of the website is editable and you’re able to build new pages from scratch using components we define in the designs. Have some new content that just won’t fit right? With the flexibility of a bespoke website, we can add new building blocks quickly and easily.
Which CMS is best suited for a bespoke website? Explore your options with Craft CMS vs WordPress.
Faster load times, a lower bounce rate and better Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
With a template-based website, every time your website loads, the browser needs to read hundreds (sometimes thousands) of lines of unused code. This is due to the template being reliant on third-party plugins and bloated frameworks. This results in a slow-loading website.
When you design and build a bespoke website, everything that the browser loads is used on the site – so there’s little to no unused code. Users tend to be impatient; so a faster-loading website will mean they’re far less likely to close the browser tab.
A recent study discovered that fast-loading websites have a higher retention and conversion rate. Here are the stats:
- 47% of online shoppers expect a web page to load in 2 seconds or less
- 40% of visitors will abandon a site that takes more than 3 seconds to load
And did you know, having a website that loads quickly is actually a ranking factor for Google and other search engines?
Better security and control
A serious online security vulnerability can bring your business and website down. A lot of template-based websites rely on integrations, third-party plugins and codebases out of your control. This increases the likelihood of website security attacks and makes it harder for developers to rectify.
Make an impact with interactive features and functionality
Adding areas of interest and interactivity on a custom build website will reinforce your brand, product, or offering and create that ‘wow’ factor. These bespoke features add a level of detail and fidelity to your website that brings the entire experience together into something that truly feels unique and makes you stand out in the market.
Frictionless user experience
Poor user experience is the most significant weakness of any website. Complicated menu systems, unsubstantial ‘out-of-the-box’ search functionality, lack of responsive layouts, unconventional positioning of call-to-action buttons, slow gallery systems, and lack of reporting tools are just a number of templated-website issues. Ultimately, this affects conversion rates and undermines the effectiveness of your user experience design.
To maintain a good experience and high conversion rate, we recommend conducting regular technical and usability tests. These can be integrated into a bespoke website design and make it easier to implement changes based on the results of your UX testing.
Summary
A website shouldn’t be viewed as an expense, it’s an investment to generate revenue through conversions – whether that’s enquiries or sales online. In our experience, a bespoke website can provide a much higher return on investment thanks to it being tailored to your needs (and importantly, the needs of your customers) compared to an off-the-shelf solution.
A bespoke website is also likely to be more secure, providing great reassurance against common vulnerabilities and attacks that can occur, so whilst the upfront cost may be more, it’s worth paying to keep your website (and business) up and running.
A bespoke website is therefore likely to be the best option.
Get in touch
Looking to review your website? Telephone 01524 388104 or email projects@expconsultancy.com to discuss.
