Custom Development vs Template: What to Choose?

Website development is a key step for both companies and individuals. There are two main approaches: creating a resource “from scratch” or using ready-made templates. Each has its pros and cons, so decisions should be made considering the budget, objectives, and growth prospects.

Choosing a platform can also be challenging, as there are many solutions available today: from online builders to full-fledged custom development. Let’s look at which tools are appropriate at different stages.

The fastest way to launch a website is to use a builder. This is a convenient solution for those who need a web page with basic functionality without complex settings.

The most well-known services:

• Wix,
• Tilda,
• OpenCart.

They offer free packages or affordable plans that allow testing the platform and creating a simple website. It is enough to choose a template, add blocks, texts, and design. These services often provide their own hosting, and the website operates on their subdomain. You can connect your own domain, export the code, or order SEO, but for an additional fee.

The main drawback is limited functionality. Access to the code is usually restricted, which complicates deep optimization, web analytics setup, and mobile adaptation. Over time, this becomes insufficient for business growth, and scaling a project on such a platform is almost impossible.

When the capabilities of a builder are no longer enough, the logical next step is to use a full-featured CMS.

Free Solutions

Optimal for projects without special requirements, for example, when a custom design, non-standard functionality, or enhanced security level is not needed. With proper development, such a resource can work stably and remain easy to maintain.

The most common open-source CMS:

• WordPress, 
• Joomla, 
• Drupal, 
• OpenCart.

The main risk to consider is security. Despite an active community and regular updates, no free CMS can guarantee complete protection against hacker attacks. As the business grows, cybersecurity often becomes a top priority.

Although WordPress offers a wide selection of templates and additional modules, it is not possible to modify them significantly. As a result, your website may become similar to many others using the same templates, making it difficult for you to stand out from the competition. In contrast, paid systems allow the entire functionality to be customized to the business needs of stakeholders.

Paid CMS

Commercial solutions are aimed at large-scale projects where an increased level of security and professional SEO promotion are important. These are ready-made box products with a wide set of tools and features.

Advantages of such platforms:

• Easy integration with external services;
• Advanced search engine optimization capabilities.

Which system to choose depends on the development team, as most studios work with specific CMS. Although the functionality of such products is similar, each system has its own rules and technical nuances that affect the development process.

Such platforms make it possible to implement practical solutions for specific business needs, which is impossible with free alternatives. For example, in the Strapi CMS, the BuildApps team recently added a barcode scanner feature that will remember and identify the product in the future.

This is the highest level of website creation, required for high-load projects with numerous integrations and specific requirements. The resource is created “from scratch,” without templates or off-the-shelf solutions.

In large-scale projects, design is particularly important. According to Forbes, the first impression is 94% related to it. At the same time, 38% of people leave if the appearance or content organization seems inconvenient.

An example of successful comprehensive development is Netflix. The backend is built on Node.js and Java, while the frontend is on React. AWS infrastructure is used for data storage and content streaming. All of this ensures support for millions of users simultaneously.

The best way to get a solution that combines a powerful technical base with modern design is to contact the professional developers at BuildApps.

A custom approach is more advantageous than constantly modifying a ready-made CMS. The process can take from several months to several years, depending on the scale. The budget is formed based on the scope of tasks and the cost of man-hours.

The business will be able to bring to life all the ideas of the marketers, which in the future will ensure not only an attractive design but also more leads for e-commerce and increased profit.

This allows the creation of a scalable, convenient, and interactive web resource:

• Website as Part of the Brand. A unique website helps stand out in the market and gain customer trust, create a recognizable brand image, and emphasize its values.
• Ideal for Complex Projects. Customization allows implementation of any non-standard tasks and ensures full functionality. For example, e-commerce platforms require numerous configurations, plugin integrations, and third-party services.
• Optimal User Experience. UX quality affects both customer and search engine perception. A site developed with these needs in mind guarantees an excellent experience. The better it is, the more likely visitors will choose you over competitors.
• Flexibility. Custom development makes it possible to quickly adapt the website to new requirements and goals. For example, it is possible to add a bonus system for regular customers. This creates a loyal audience.
• Future Scalability. Maintaining template-based websites is difficult. In contrast, custom development provides full scalability. You can update the design, add new features, and even completely redesign the web resource.
• Customer-Oriented Approach. A site created with a customer focus has a higher chance of success. Personalized functionality better engages visitors, highlights the most important aspects, and helps communicate the value of your brand.
• SEO and Security. Google favors custom-developed websites. They operate faster and provide a pleasant experience on any device. This positively affects search engine rankings and increases conversion.

To order custom development, contact the BuildApps specialists for a consultation. We offer an individual approach to each project!