Custom vs template websites: Which one is right for your UK business?

Making the right website choice for long-term business growth

For UK businesses, your website isn’t just a digital presence—it’s a growth tool. A well-optimized site can attract customers, boost conversions, and enhance credibility. But should you invest in a custom-built website or use a pre-designed template?

A custom website is tailored to your brand and business goals, offering full control over design, functionality, and SEO. A template website, on the other hand, is a cost-effective and quick solution but comes with limitations.

This guide will break down cost, SEO impact, scalability, and performance to help you make an informed choice for your business in 2025 and beyond.

1. What Is a custom website? Is it worth the investment?

A custom website is built from scratch, designed specifically for your business needs, branding, and functionality requirements. Unlike templates, custom-built sites offer complete control over performance, user experience, and SEO.

Advantages of a custom website

• 100% unique design – Your website will stand out from competitors.
• SEO-friendly structure – Optimized for better Google rankings.
• Scalability – Easily add new features as your business grows.
• Enhanced security – Less risk of cyber threats compared to pre-made themes.
• Fast-loading speeds – No unnecessary code slowing down performance.

For more on website performance, check out our guide on 5 Signs Your Website Needs a Redesign.

Disadvantages of a custom website

• Higher upfront cost – Ranges from £5,000 to £50,000+, depending on complexity.
• Longer development time – Takes 4 to 12 weeks instead of a quick setup.
• Requires expert developers – Needs ongoing maintenance for updates and improvements.

Best for:

Growing businesses, high-end brands, e-commerce, and companies needing advanced functionality.

2. What is a template website? Is it a cost-effective solution?

A template website is built using pre-designed layouts from platforms like WordPress, Shopify, Wix, or Squarespace. While templates offer convenience, they come with customisation and scalability limits.

Advantages of a template website

• Lower cost – Typically £500 to £3,000, making it budget-friendly.
• Faster launch – This can be set up in a few days.
• User-friendly – No coding skills are required for basic edits.

Disadvantages of a template website

• Limited customisation – Your website may look like many others.
• Slower performance – Pre-built themes contain unnecessary code.
• SEO challenges – Many templates lack proper optimisation for Google rankings.
• Scalability issues – Difficult to add custom features later.

Best for:

Startups, small businesses, and quick MVP launches.

. Custom vs template websites: Side-by-side comparison

3. SEO impact: Which website type helps you rank on Google UK?

Custom website SEO benefits:

• Clean HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for fast load speeds.
• Optimised URL structures and on-page SEO improvements.
• More control over keyword targeting and content strategy.

Template website SEO issues:

• Slower speeds due to excessive third-party plugins.
• Pre-designed themes may not follow SEO best practices.
• Duplicate content risks from common templates.

4. Case study: How a custom website helped a UK business grow

Company: A UK-based e-commerce retailer

Old Website: Template-based, slow, struggling with SEO

Challenges: High bounce rate, low conversion rates, security risks

Solution: Switched to a custom-built, high-speed website

Results:

• 40% increase in conversions
• 50% faster page load times
• Top 3 Google rankings for core product keywords

Key takeaway: Investing in a custom website improves performance, SEO, and business scalability.

5. Final thoughts: What’s best for your UK business?

A template website is great for small businesses needing a fast and affordable solution.

A custom website is ideal for brands focusing on long-term growth, SEO, and advanced features.

For expert insights, read How to Future-Proof Your Website.

Want expert advice? Get a free consultation on the best website solution for your business.

Book a free consultation with Aecor Digital.