There are over 810 million WordPress websites on the web, accounting for more than four in every 10 sites. Part of the appeal is that relatively unskilled webmasters can build a website in minutes. However, the basic tools and templates on WordPress can’t substitute for a skilled developer, which is why most brands turn to custom design services.
Is a custom WordPress design a good fit for your business, though?
The Pros of Using Custom WordPress Website Design
There are clear advantages to paying for a custom WordPress site, but depending on your needs, some will be more applicable than others.
It’s Unique
In a sea of 810 million websites, it’s hard to stand out, and if you’re using a prebuilt theme, you’re just blending in with the crowd.
A custom WordPress website will give your brand a unique platform, a site that is distinctly yours. It’s not a cookie-cutter project that looks like every other business in your category, as well as countless blogs and affiliate sites that have used the same template.
Originality is great for establishing brand identity, but it could also help with SEO. Google prioritizes unique content, and if you build your site with assistance from an SEO consultant, you can ensure the foundations of your site are SEO-friendly.
It’s Built Around Your Needs
You probably have an idea of what your site should look like, and you definitely have an idea of what it should contain. Trying to implement those features into a prebuilt theme can feel like jamming a square peg into a round hole.
Whether it’s a membership section, a message board, or specific e-commerce features, they may not fit as easily or seamlessly as you’d like.
But if you’re building a custom WordPress website, these features will be considered before laying those first virtual blocks. Rather than finding a way to make specific features work, you’re building your site around them, making sure they look, feel, and function exactly as they should.
It’s Easier to Update and Fix
Working with someone else’s theme and plugins means you could be left high and dry if anything goes wrong. A developer can help you, but it will be much easier for them to adapt, upgrade, and fix a site that they actually built.
If there is a bug, they’ll find the cause and fix it. If you need more features or want to change a certain aspect of the site, the developer will know how to do it quickly and with minimal interference.
Can I Pay Someone to Build My WordPress Site?
Yes. There are agencies and individuals who will do this for you. They can follow specific guidelines to create a site that meets your vision or use their experience to create something they deem suitable.
How Much Does a Custom WordPress Site Cost?
It varies. A basic site may cost you less than $1,000, but it will be limited in terms of functionality and may not provide the features you’re looking for.
Complex projects require more planning and development. There may be a lot of back-and-forth between the developer/agency and the client, as well as custom coding and plugins. This will increase the budget and timeframe, which is why the biggest projects can take months and cost tens of thousands of dollars.
The Cons of Using Custom WordPress Website Design
Despite its size and popularity, as well as the availability of developers and agencies that can create a custom WordPress website, there are a couple of disadvantages to consider.
It Costs More Money
Contracting a company/individual to build your custom site doesn’t need to be expensive. If you’re looking for something simple and don’t need many unique features, it can actually be very cheap.
However, it doesn’t cost anything to use free templates and plugins, and if we’re comparing custom builds to a site built using a template, custom is definitely the more expensive option.
Bear in mind, though, that a site built on WordPress will be cheaper than one built from scratch without the aid of a web content management system. Furthermore, if you lack the skills, time, patience, or desire to do any of the work yourself, you’ll still have to hire someone, even if you’re sticking with prebuilt templates.
It Takes More Time
Templates take seconds to install, and you can put together a basic WordPress site in a few hours.
Custom sites take longer. They need to be planned and confirmed. You will likely be consulted during major steps and shown mock-ups in the early stages. You’re paying for the services of a skilled developer, one who will have other projects demanding their time. So, this is not something they will throw together overnight, and you may need to wait several weeks or even several months for major projects.
Does WordPress Own Your Site?
No. You create it, you own it. The same applies to all of the content that you place on that site. You are free to use that content as you see fit, and that includes transferring it to another platform if you decide that WordPress is no longer suitable.
Is WordPress Still Relevant
WordPress is definitely still relevant. As noted at the top this article, most websites are built on WordPress, and its community of designers and developers ensures there is a steady supply of plugins, widgets, and themes to help modern brands stay competitive.
Summary: Building a Custom WordPress Website
A custom WordPress website can help a company to stand out from the competition. Rather than using themes and layouts that have been used millions of times before, they’ll have their own unique design, one that cements their brand identity, suits their design goals, and accommodates all of the additional functions required.
It could even help with SEO.
If you’re considering building a custom WordPress website, contact us today using the form below. We’ll discuss the project with you, provide a competitive quote, and get started on building a completely customized and original website for your business.
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