The digital and competitive landscape means a business has to be scalable and, on its feet, to appeal to its customers. A website is the first interaction between a brand and potential customers. So, having a website reflecting their value, offering a great user experience, and driving measurable returns is important.
There are two choices when it comes to creating a website: bespoke (custom) website design and DIY (template-based) solutions. But the question is, which to choose? Which one will give you a better return-on-investment (ROI)? Well, to come to a solution, knowing their differences and what they are offering is important.
Table of contents
Difference Between Bespoke and DIY Websites
Their Costing and Long-Term Benefits
DIY Solutions:
These template-based websites, built on platforms like WordPress or Wix, are an affordable solution. A designer can create it quickly and have drag-and-drop functionalities with minimal development costs. It is best for startups and small businesses with tight budgets. The initial cost is anywhere between £0 and over £100, depending on the plugins or features and the design team you hire.
Bespoke Design:
Bespoke website design is a custom design with a higher initial cost, involving professional designers, UX/UI experts, developers, content strategists, and more. The starting price is £1000 and only goes upwards. However, the long-term investment is high as you reduce bounce rates, drive higher engagement, and create a custom business website, providing a better return on investment (ROI).
Their Ability to Scale
DIY:
Since they have generic functionalities, it is common for them to become heavy due to coding. When your business scales, you will add more extensions and plugins that will impact site speed, leading to performance issues and affecting SEO rankings.
Bespoke:
With a custom website, you add only the features you need, keeping the code light and clean. Thus, they are performance-oriented and easier to scale, and adding new features and integrations as per business requirements is easy.
Functionality and User Experience
DIY:
Many templates offer built-in functionality that works well for basic needs. However, adding specialised features often requires third-party plugins, which may not always be compatible or secure. Over time, managing these plugins can become complex and costly.
Bespoke:
Custom-built websites prioritise user experience and business objectives. Whether it’s advanced search filters, booking systems, user dashboards, or e-commerce integrations, bespoke sites offer tailored functionality that enhances usability and drives conversions. By creating a frictionless experience, you’re more likely to achieve a higher ROI.
Technical Optimization and SEO
DIY:
Template sites often come with basic SEO tools, but their generic structure can limit full optimization. Additionally, they may contain redundant code that slows down site speed, an important Google ranking factor.
Bespoke:
With a custom site, SEO can be baked into the development process from the ground up. From clean code and mobile responsiveness to structured data and schema markup, everything can be tailored to improve your search engine visibility and performance, ultimately delivering better ROI over time.
The Ability to Provide Support and Maintenance
DIY:
These platforms often provide regular updates and customer support. However, they also rely on plugins that may break or conflict after updates, leading to hidden costs in terms of fixes or downtime.
Bespoke:
Custom websites are often supported by dedicated developers who understand your system inside and out. While maintenance may be slightly more expensive, issues are typically resolved faster and more effectively, reducing risk and improving reliability, which indirectly supports ROI.
Which to Choose?
If you want to make a choice between a DIY website and a bespoke website, look at your business. The goals, budget, and your growth plans will help you make the final decision.
For instance, if you have an established business or it is in its growing phase, you need a bespoke website. Yes, the cost will be higher initially, but in the long run, the site will perform better and will be scalable.
If you run a small business, DIY websites are reasonable and ideal for your business needs. But remember, scalability might be a problem in the future, so make the choice thinking of the future too.
Final Thoughts
ROI is about investing wisely and not just spending less. Sure, DIY websites are easy to work with and are affordable, but they have their limitations, leading to issues in the long run. On the other hand, bespoke websites are strategic investments ideal for business growth, helping you elevate your brand and delivering long-term success later. A website is your most important tool; be wise about making the decision, and choose a site that delivers.
