Creating a new website is something that requires time, and a good amount of consideration. One major decision you will have to make is whether you want to create a custom designed website, or use a ready-to-build platform such as WordPress. Both are reliable options, but is one better than the other? In this article, we’ll go through the pros and cons of creating a custom website vs. WordPress.

Creating a custom website

Companies that choose to outsource a contractor to build a custom website mainly do so because of the freedom that comes with it. Since there is no template to work from, site owners can make specific modifications to the design and functionality that WordPress cannot provide. Typically, you will see manufacturers and big corporations using custom websites.

.

• A custom design can easily implement your company’s branding into a unique design. This helps your company stand against the competition.
• As your company grows and changes, your custom website can also adapt. Simply reach out to the individual or company that created the website for you for updates.
• Technical support is essentially built into your website. Unlike building a site yourself through WordPress, hiring a professional to build your site means that they are well-equipped to handle any bugs or problems that may arise. 

Cons

• If you are a smaller business, or on a tight budget a custom website may be out of reach as getting one developed is rather expensive. 
• Custom websites take more time to build compared to WordPress. That’s due to the complexity and having to rely on a developer being available.
• Finding the “right” developer to execute your vision can prove to be challenging, that’s why it’s important to interview and test candidates beforehand. 

.

.

.

Hosting a website with WordPress

Originally, WordPress was used as a blogging platform, but over the years it’s become a more complex platform for building websites. The simplicity of WordPress templates makes it an attractive choice for people looking to create their websites using their basic web knowledge. In fact, according to W3Techs, 43% of all websites on the internet are powered by WordPress. Typically, small business owners, solopreneurs, and bloggers utilize WordPress.

Pros

• Since the CMS has already been developed, creating a website in WordPress takes less time. You can easily plug in your information to fill the space given.
• There are thousands of templates to choose from with the majority being free of charge. This is good for those who don’t know what they want and would like to try different options, without a price tag attached.
• Although no hosting platform is 100% secure, WordPress is the safest option. Their team of developers constantly roll out developments to help prevent account hacks and data breaches, which is why it’s important to keep up to date with any software updates that are rolled out. 

.

.

Cons

• There isn’t much flexibility with design. If you have a specific vision in mind, using a template can feel restricting and ultimately lead to dissatisfaction.
• Since you built the site, there’s no IT department to go to if problems arise. Taking the time to fix bugs or edit your website can be a challenge.
• In order to have extra features on your website you have to install plugins that require regular updates. This can become a tedious and time-consuming task since you will need to monitor these updates yourself.

Overall, there is no right or wrong way to create a website for your business. The route you choose will largely depend on the needs of your business and the resources you have available. Taking those elements into consideration will help guide you to the right decision.

…

Interested in working with us? Schedule a consultation today.