Templates vs Custom Web Design
Why Templates Aren’t Always the Answer – Our Take on Custom Web Design
- Markus Pichorner
Let’s be honest - templates are tempting
They’re fast, affordable, and pretty good-looking straight out of the box. For small businesses, startups, or side projects, they can be a solid place to start. We get it. We’ve been there too.
Furthermore the providers make them look damn tasty, doesn’t matter if you are using Wix, Squarespace, ThemeForest, Elegant Themes or any other repository.
But here’s the thing: if you want your brand to stand out, a template probably won’t get you there.
At UIXA, we’ve built our creative process around custom web design. Not because it’s trendier. Not because it sounds more premium. But because it actually makes sense — for your brand, your goals, and your users.
Let us explain.
Templates make you blend in - Custom design makes you stand out
There are millions of websites using the exact same themes and layouts. Ever stumbled on a site and thought, “Haven’t I seen this before?” You probably have.
Templates are designed to serve the masses. And when you use them, you’re slotting your unique business into a structure made for everyone else.
Custom design flips that around.
We start with you — your story, your visuals, your goals. The result is a website that looks and feels like your brand, not like another copy-paste.
Templates have limits - Custom gives you creative freedom
Think of templates like IKEA furniture. Easy to build, looks nice — but try adding a drawer where one doesn’t exist? Good luck.
Templates come with:
Pre-set blocks that don’t always fit your content
Hidden code bloat that slows down your site
Confusing page builders that make simple edits a chore
With a custom build, we design only what you need, then bring it to life with clean, purposeful code. It’s like tailoring a suit — everything fits just right.
People can feel the difference
This part’s important: your website isn’t just a homepage. It’s often the first experience someone has with your brand. And first impressions are sticky.
A custom site says:
“We care about how we show up.”
It shows attention to detail, intentionality, and a sense of pride. People trust that. And trust, especially online, is priceless.
Growth doesn’t fit in a box
The biggest issue with templates? You eventually grow out of them. Whether it’s adding e-commerce features, rethinking your layout, or integrating new tools — templates are rarely flexible enough to evolve with you.
Custom design, on the other hand, is built with the future in mind. You’re not locked into rigid structures or hacked-together solutions. Your site grows with your business.
It’s about storytelling - not just structure
A good website doesn’t just “look nice.” It tells a story. From the colours and typography to the scroll animations and button labels, every detail shapes the user experience.
Templates can’t tell your story the way you can.
We design each element to align with your brand voice and tone — creating a journey, not just a layout.
TL;DR: When should you use a template?
We’re not here to trash talk templates.
They’re useful, especially when:
You’re testing an idea or MVP
Budget is extremely tight
You need something live, like, yesterday
But if your business is established — or you’re serious about growing it — a custom website is an investment that pays off. In brand perception. In performance. And most importantly, in connection with your audience.