Many of my clients come to me after trying a template website, or do-it-yourself company. The list is long with frustration and disappointment. Gathering the content (writing the page copy and photos) for your website is a big job and most business owners don't have time beyond this task to learn how to work within a template, learn a new language to understand what needs to done to maximize a DIY project.
Do you want to be a web designer?Template sites from major telecommunication companies sound simple with less involvement from a busy business owner, and do-it-yourself/create-your-own-website companies sound promising. Paying monthly instead of a designer's one time fee sounds like a bargain. Here is a side by side comparison of a
custom website vs a template website.
Know what you're getting into.
CUSTOM WEBSITE
Custom websites stand out. Unique design, branded to your business.
Full SEO (search engine optimization)
Fully scalable as you grow and add new features
Personal service, guiding you through content needed, reviewing it and making recommendations.
You'll have your website files forever.
You own the copyright and can use the design elements in your branding.
One design fee, you pay for changes as needed. You'll pay web hosting from $15 per month for quality hosting.
Professional photo optimization and minor editing means you'll make use of photos needing correction.
TEMPLATE / DO IT YOURSELF WEBSITES
Lots of other people have access to the same template.
You or your staff need to learn basic understanding of Search Engine Optimization.
Templates are limited to how much customization can be done.
Tech support may be phone, email or none and is limited to template questions.
The template resides with the template host. You can't move them.
The website company owns the design elements.
Pay per month as long as you continue with the website.
You or your staff need to learn basic photo editing and optimization.
I hope this helps you decide which is the better solution for your business. Having clarity is a huge advantage.
