Your business needs a website. That much is obvious.
But now you’re faced with a decision: custom website design or a template?
It’s an easy choice, right? Templates are cheap and fast. Custom websites are expensive and take longer.
Except—that’s not the full story.
If you’ve ever seen a web designer charge thousands for a glorified template, swapping in text and stock images while calling it “custom,” you know something’s off.
At the same time, you don’t want to waste money on a fully custom build if a well-optimized pre-built solution would do the job just as well.
This guide breaks it all down—no fluff, no tech jargon, just the real pros and cons of templates vs. custom website design. By the end, you’ll know exactly which option is right for your business (and how to avoid getting ripped off in the process).
What Is a Template Website? (And Who It’s Best For)
A template website is exactly what it sounds like—a pre-designed layout where you swap in your text, images, and logo. It’s a plug-and-play approach to web design, and for the right business, it’s a perfectly fine solution.
Platforms like WordPress, Wix, Webflow, GoDaddy, and Squarespace all offer templates that let you get a website up and running without hiring a developer.
But here’s the thing: just because something is easy doesn’t mean it’s effective.
Who Should Use a Website Template?
If any of these sound like you, a template might be enough:
- You’re not tech-savvy and don’t want to learn web design. You need a basic website to exist online, and you don’t care much about customization.
- You just need a credibility check. Some institutions, banks, or business partners expect you to have a website to verify that your company is legitimate.
- You’re on a shoestring budget. If you need something up fast and cheap, a template is the lowest-cost option.
- You only need a simple business card site. A one-page site with contact details, an about section, and maybe a short blog can be enough for some small businesses.
Sounds good, right? Until you need to do more.
That’s when the problems start.
The Hidden Downsides of Template Websites
Templates seem affordable—until you realize what they actually cost you:
- You don’t really own the design. You’re renting a layout that hundreds of other businesses are using.
- Customization is limited. You’re stuck with whatever the template allows, and anything beyond that? Good luck hacking the code.
- Performance issues. Many templates are bloated with unnecessary features that slow down your site, hurt SEO, and kill conversions.
- Scalability is a problem. Need to add a custom booking system, client portal, or marketing automation? Most templates aren’t built for that.
- You’re at the mercy of the platform. Some website builders lock you in, meaning if you ever want to move, you might have to rebuild your site from scratch.
A template can be a starting point, but for businesses that need a real online presence, it often becomes a frustrating limitation.
And if you’ve ever paid thousands for a template-based site, only to realize later that it barely moves the needle for your business, you already know how that feels.
The Truth About Custom Website Design (And Why It’s Worth It)
If template websites are the fast-food version of web design, custom website design is a meal made from scratch by a professional chef (like me, ChefJef®).
Yes, custom website design does take more time, cost more upfront, and require expertise—but they’re also built exactly for your needs.
When done right, a custom website is faster, more flexible, and actually works to grow your business.
What You Actually Get with a Custom Website Design
- A site built for your brand, not a generic mold. Your business isn’t a copy-paste operation—so why should your website be?
- Better SEO and performance. No bloated code, unnecessary features, or slow load times dragging your rankings down.
- More control over functionality. Whether it’s advanced lead generation, e-commerce, or unique customer experiences, you’re not boxed in by what a template allows.
- Scalability. As your business grows, your website grows with you—without needing a full redesign every time you add a feature.
- A higher conversion rate. A site designed around your audience’s behavior will always perform better than a cookie-cutter template.
What About the Cost?
Let’s address the elephant in the room—custom website design costs more than templates.
But here’s what most people don’t realize: not all custom websites require a $10K+ investment.
If you don’t need complex features, a streamlined, conversion-optimized custom website can be built for far less—without sacrificing performance.
This is exactly why I offer a Pre-Built Website Solution for $2,900 CAD—a faster, more affordable alternative to full-scale custom development, without the downsides of a generic template.
And this is where things get tricky.
Because some web designers will sell you a “custom” website that’s just a template with swapped-out text. That’s not right and why we’re about to step into the dark side of web design.
The Dark Side of the Web Design Industry (And How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off)
If you’ve ever been quoted $3,000+ for a website, there’s a good chance you assumed it was custom-built from scratch—carefully designed, coded, and optimized for your business.
Reality check: Many web designers don’t actually build websites.
Instead, they buy a $60 template, swap out text and images, and call it a ‘custom website design.’
Worse? Some don’t even do that much. They outsource the entire process to cheap labor overseas, pocket the difference, and deliver a barely functional site that’s riddled with issues.
How Bad Can It Get? Here’s a True Story.
A friend of mine was launching a communications agency in the UK. They’re scrappy bootstrappers and didn’t have much cash to invest in my web design services. Fair enough, that’s normal.
So instead of hiring me, they found a web designer on Fiverr who promised them a “professional site” for CA$350 (US$250).
Sounds like a steal, right?
It was—just not for them.
The site launched, and everything seemed fine until they came to me to finally build a proper site. When I checked their sitemap, guess what I found?
Dozens of articles promoting online casinos and gambling sites.
The web designer had sold them a website laced with SEO spam—turning their business into a hidden affiliate farm for a completely unrelated industry.
Think about that. A communications agency—a business that relies on trust and credibility—was unknowingly promoting gambling websites.
If they I hadn’t caught that, I believe their site’s reputation would have been destroyed forever.
And this isn’t a one-off case. It happens all the time. Cheap web design comes at a cost—you just don’t always see it right away.
- You pay thousands for a site that looks identical to dozens of others.
- Your website is slow, clunky, and barely optimized for SEO.
- Any updates or customizations require extra payments because you’re stuck in a restrictive template.
And by the time you realize your website isn’t working for your business? They’ve moved on to the next client.
How to Spot a “Bad” Web Designer
If you’re hiring someone to build your website, watch out for these red flags:
🚩 They won’t show you backend access or customization options.
If they claim the website is custom-built, but everything is locked into a rigid template—it’s not custom.
🚩 They deliver the site within days but charge premium pricing.
Custom websitedesign take time. If they promise a “fully custom build” in under a week, they’re lying.
🚩 They don’t ask questions about your business.
A real web designer needs to understand your business and audience before designing a website that actually converts. If they’re just plugging in generic content, you’re getting a template swap.
🚩 They avoid technical details.
If they can’t explain how your website is structured, optimized, or maintained, they probably don’t understand it themselves.
The Honest Alternative: A Custom Website Design That Works for Your Business
Not every business needs a fully custom $10K+ website. But you deserve better than an overpriced template.
That’s why I created a Pre-Built Website Solution ($2,900 CAD).
- Not a template swap. It’s built using lightweight, high-performing Pre-Built WordPress theme.
- SEO-friendly from day one. No bloated code or unnecessary plugins slowing down your rankings.
- A real, working website—not just a placeholder. It’s designed to actually convert visitors into leads.
- Custom branding. You get a site that fits your business—without the inflated costs.
At the end of the day, the real question isn’t template vs. custom. It’s:
👉 Do you want a website that actually helps your business grow?
Or…
👉 Do you want to pay premium prices for something anyone could build in a few hours?
Don’t Waste Money on a Website That Won’t Grow Your Business
Your website should be more than just a digital placeholder. It should work for you—helping you attract leads, showcase your expertise, and grow your business.
If you’re tired of overpriced template swaps and want a fast, affordable, and conversion-optimized website, I can help.
Let’s talk about what you actually need. No gimmicks. No overpriced fluff. Just a website that does its job.
