Should you opt for a custom WordPress design or settle for a prebuilt template?

When you’re looking to build or refresh a website on WordPress, you face a crucial decision: Should you opt for a custom WordPress design or settle for a prebuilt one? As Sociably Media, we believe the answer relies heavily on your business objectives, your ambitions, and of course, your budget. Let’s delve deeper into the custom WordPress development versus prebuilt WordPress themes debate.

Prebuilt WordPress Themes: A Quick Overview
Our digital world is awash with a plethora of fantastic WordPress site templates. While some of these, although basic, can get the job done, others are crafted by a thriving community of designers and developers. These individuals and teams create “customizable” themes that are aesthetically pleasing, simple to set up, and user-friendly.

Should You Opt for a Prebuilt WordPress Theme?
A key advantage of prebuilt themes is their affordability. However, when you consider factors like design iteration time and the waiting period for your website vision to materialize, the costs can quickly escalate. Nevertheless, if you have a knack for writing, a catchy logo, and striking photography, a prebuilt theme might just be your ticket to online prominence. But, there’s more to the story.

The Real Cost of a WordPress Theme
At first glance, prebuilt WordPress themes appear cost-effective. Some are even free, and good quality paid ones start around $50. However, most themes come with built-in editors requiring licenses, and these costs are usually not included in the initial price. You also have to factor in costs for stock photography, font licensing, and other expenses which can cause the price to soar.

A ‘Customizable’ Prebuilt Theme is not a Custom WordPress Theme
Prebuilt themes often pack a host of features, from layout options to navigation choices. Nevertheless, if your requirements stretch beyond the confines of the prebuilt theme, you may encounter limitations. Most importantly, the customer support from theme developers can sometimes be less than satisfactory.

Not Exactly as Advertised
While prebuilt themes are marketed for their ease of use, the reality can sometimes be different. You may have to rely on multiple third-party plugins or hire a developer to tweak the theme to your needs. Moreover, some of these plugins can make your site more vulnerable to cyber threats and slow down your website’s performance.

Should You Really Use a Prebuilt WordPress Theme?
Your decision should also consider the value of your time. At Sociably Media, we usually prefer to build WordPress themes from scratch. Our experience shows that working with prebuilt themes often proves more time-consuming and expensive in the long run.

However, we also understand that a prebuilt WordPress theme might be the perfect fit for some businesses. If you choose this route, we encourage you to invest your time wisely, anticipate some frustration, and be prepared to make the theme work for you.

If things don’t pan out as expected, remember, Sociably Media is here for you.
We’d be thrilled to create a custom WordPress website tailored to your needs.