Template vs custom - when is it worth it?
"Can't I just make a Wix or Squarespace website?" A fair question. Sometimes a template is the right choice. But often it's not.
When is a template enough?
A template works fine when:
- You need a simple website with standard pages
- You don't need special functionality
- Design isn't your priority
- You want to manage it yourself and don't have budget for a developer
When is custom worth it?
Custom becomes interesting when you:
- Want to be unique - Your website should reflect your brand, not a template
- Care about speed - Templates load slowly due to unnecessary code
- Want to grow - You need functionality that templates don't offer
- Want to be found - Custom work scores better on Google through cleaner code and better performance
- Need integrations - Connection to your CRM, accounting, or other systems
The real comparison
| Template | Custom | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | €0 - €500/year | From €2,500 one-time |
| Speed | Slow (3-8 sec) | Fast (<1 sec) |
| SEO | Basic | Optimized |
| Scalability | Limited | Unlimited |
| Ownership | Platform-dependent | Fully yours |
The sweet spot
With Codavo you get custom work at a price close to templates. How? Through AI-driven development, I build in days what an agency takes weeks for. No quality compromises: you get the same clean code, fast load times, and SEO optimization as a €10,000+ agency.
A concrete example: a website with 8 pages, contact form, and full SEO setup costs from €2,500 at Codavo and is ready within 2 weeks. At an agency, you'd pay €5,000-€10,000 and wait 6-12 weeks.
The hidden costs of templates
What many entrepreneurs forget: a template isn't a one-time €200 expense. The real costs:
- Hosting + premium plan: €200-€400/year
- Premium plugins: €100-€300/year
- Your own time: hours per week wrestling with limitations
- Lost customers: slow load times cost conversions
After 3 years you've spent as much as custom, but without the speed, search visibility, and ownership. Read the full breakdown.
Next step
Calculate what your project costs with the cost calculator, or book a free call and I'll help you determine the best choice.
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