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Pricing & buying

Custom website vs. template: what you actually get

A template gets you a working site fast, built from a design thousands of other businesses use. A custom site is built around your specific business — the difference shows up mainly in distinctiveness, performance, and what you actually own at the end.

Where they actually differ

TemplateCustom
DesignShared with other businesses using the same themeBuilt around your business specifically
SpeedDepends on the platform's bloat — often slowerBuilt lean, for your content only
EditingLocked to the builder's editing toolsDepends on what you're handed
OwnershipOften tied to the platform's subscriptionCan be full code ownership, no lock-in

When a template is genuinely fine

If the business is very early-stage, budget is the primary constraint, or the goal is simply to have *something* online while other priorities take precedence — a template does the job. Plenty of successful small businesses run on template sites for years.

When custom pays for itself

Once a business is past the "just get something up" stage and is actively relying on the site to convert visitors into calls or bookings, the differences compound: a faster, more distinctive site converts better, and full code ownership means no platform can hold the business hostage to a subscription later.

FAQ

Related questions

Do I own the website?

Yes — you own the code outright when it's delivered. No lock-in, no licence, no hostage situation. It's yours.

What happens if I want to leave or move it?

You can. Because you own the code and the site is standard, you (or any developer) can take it anywhere. We're not holding your site hostage to keep you paying.