You may have recently decided you want to update your website for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) or just upgrade your brand. You may also want to update the design of your site, so it doesn’t look like it’s from 90’s when it’s already 2018. You may want to add features such as clickable social media icons to your pages.

Whatever your reason may be, you know that it’s time for your website to go through a change. When this happens, what are your options? Should you adopt for a WordPress theme or should you go for a custom website design? This can be a tough choice to make since your choice can significantly affect your website.

Is getting a custom-made website design the best fit for your website? Or is choosing a pre-made WordPress theme a better use of time, effort, and money? To help you to decide, here are the pros and cons of getting a WordPress theme or starting your website design from scratch.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a WordPress Theme

Pros of Using a WordPress Web Theme

1. WordPress themes are a budget-friendly option for you.

If the amount of money that will be used during your website’s redesigning is an important consideration for you, then getting a WordPress theme is your best and most affordable choice. Adopting a ready-made theme for your site can help you save both time and money.

2. WordPress themes can quickly and easily fit your site if you have a fast-approaching deadline.

Using a pre-made theme from WordPress, you won’t need to build everything from the ground up. Thus, you’ll be able to speed up your process. This is great, especially if your deadline to get the job done is fast approaching.

Cons of Using a WordPress Theme

1. WordPress themes are not that flexible.

Using pre-made themes means that you already have a framework into which you can put your site’s contents with ease. However, this also means that the site design is not necessarily as flexible as you want it to be.

2. WordPress themes are not unique.

One of the downsides of using a pre-made theme is that you’ll be using a theme that’s been used or is being used by others as well. Which means that the way that your website looks may also be identical to how other websites look.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Custom Website Design

Pros of Getting a Custom Website Design

1. Custom website designs are unique.

Since you’re going to get a website design specifically made for you and your company, your site won’t look like others. Custom website design will be built according to your niche, needs, wants, and brand.

2. Custom website designs are made to adapt to what you need.

With a custom-made design, you’ll be deciding everything, since you’re not working around a given framework. If you want more images and videos or to integrate your email marketing campaign onto your website, consider it done. Custom site designs take more time and money, but they provide more flexibility compared to pre-made themes and designs. With custom designs, whatever you want and need will be granted.

Cons of Getting a Website Design Custom Made

1. Custom website design takes time.

As you may already know, building something from scratch may take longer than using something that’s done and ready to plug into your existing content. When you’re planning to use a custom-made website design, prepare to wait a couple of months before seeing any results.

2. Custom website designs require bigger budgets.

Since they take longer, you also need to spend more effort and money on custom designs. You’ll have to pay for the time your designer spends on your design, but rest assured you’ll be getting what you want.

Final Thoughts

WordPress theme vs. custom website design: which one should you choose for your website? There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to the design of your site. Whether you prefer to get a custom-made design or to use a WordPress theme, your decision is solely based on what you and your company need. However, bear in mind that how your brand will be seen by your users is significantly affected by how your website is made. So give it deep thought and choose wisely.

Melissa Turner is an aspiring web designer at Timmerman Group who has been working hard on developing her skills. She enjoys creating websites and in her spare time she loves to walk along the beach with her dog. She’s currently working on her next big piece.