If you are thinking about investing in a new website, the first question you need to ask yourself is “do I want a bespoke or off-the-shelf website?” Both types of websites come with advantages and disadvantages, so it is important to weigh up your options before making a decision.

Here are the pros and cons of bespoke and off-the-shelf websites.

Off-the-shelf websites: Pros

One of the main pros for off-the-shelf websites is that the website will be set up quickly. Simply choose a theme and you can have a site running within a matter of days not weeks!

Another pro is that you don’t need web design skills to set up an off-the-shelf website as all of the coding and design will already be done.

Off-the-shelf websites also tend to be cheaper, as you are purchasing a template rather than requesting a completely original design.

Off-the-shelf websites: Cons

One con is that template websites are more restrictive. While you will be able to make some customisations such as changing fonts, the overall appearance of the website will be bound to the template. This can result in a website that looks very similar to other websites, so it stands out less in the customer’s mind.

Bespoke websites: Pros

The best thing about bespoke websites is that there is a lot of flexibility. As the website will be built specifically to your needs, it will meet all of your requirements – and it will be more unique and memorable for your customers! It is also easier to ensure that a bespoke website is optimised for SEO, so it is possible that you will have a higher Google ranking.

Bespoke websites tend to be more secure than off-the-shelf websites as the security aspect is tailored specifically to the website.

It is also easier for you to ensure that the website is fast and efficient if it is bespoke. This is very important, as slow loading times can result in a lack of customer engagement.

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Bespoke websites: Cons

The main issue with bespoke websites is that they take much longer to build; sometimes they can take months or even years to be completed, which can be a problem if you need a website ASAP.