Over 40% of all websites use WordPress! When building a new website using WordPress, one of the first decisions you'll have to make is whether to use an off-the-shelf theme or build a custom one, we'll explore them in detail to help you make an informed decision.
WordPress is the most popular content management system (CMS) on the internet, with more than 40% of all websites using it. When building a new website using WordPress, one of the first decisions you’ll have to make is whether to use an off-the-shelf theme or build a custom one. Both options have their pros and cons, and in this article, we’ll explore them in detail to help you make an informed decision.
Cost-effective: Using an off-the-shelf theme is usually much cheaper than building a custom one. There are plenty of free and paid WordPress themes available, so you can easily find one that fits your budget.
Time-saving: Off-the-shelf themes are usually designed to be easy to install and customise, so you can have your website up and running in a matter of hours or days, rather than weeks or months.
Proven track record: Many off-the-shelf themes have been around for years and have been used by thousands of websites. This means that they have been thoroughly tested and are generally reliable.
Wide range of options: With so many WordPress themes available, you can easily find one that matches your website’s style and functionality requirements. Whether you’re building a blog, e-commerce site, or portfolio, there’s a theme out there that can help.
Limited customization: While off-the-shelf themes are customizable, there are limits to what you can do with them. If you need a specific feature that isn’t included in the theme, you may have to compromise or look for a different theme altogether.
Overused design: Some popular off-the-shelf themes are used by so many websites that they can start to look generic and unoriginal. This can be a problem if you want your website to stand out from the crowd.
Security issues: Because off-the-shelf themes are widely used, they can be a target for hackers who know their vulnerabilities. While many theme developers release updates to fix security issues, it’s up to you to keep your website up-to-date.
Unique design: Building a custom WordPress theme allows you to create a unique design that reflects your brand’s personality and style. You can also incorporate any specific functionality you need.
Complete control: When you build a custom theme, you have complete control over every aspect of your website’s design and functionality. This means you can create a website that meets your exact requirements.
Better performance: Custom themes are designed specifically for your website, so they can be optimized for performance. This means your website will load faster, which can improve your search engine rankings and user experience.
Future-proofing: A custom theme can be built with the latest coding standards and technologies, which can future-proof your website and reduce the risk of compatibility issues down the line.
Costly: Building a custom WordPress theme is usually more expensive than using an off-the-shelf theme. Depending on the complexity of your website, a custom theme can cost thousands of dollars.
Time-consuming: Building a custom theme can take weeks or even months, depending on the scope of your project. This means you may have to wait longer to launch your website.
Technical knowledge required: Building a custom WordPress theme requires a good understanding of web development, HTML, CSS, and PHP. If you don’t have these skills, you may need to hire a developer to build your custom theme.
Both off-the-shelf WordPress themes and custom themes have their pros and cons. If you’re on a tight budget and have limited technical skills, an off the shelf theme is a popular choice, whereas if you have a very specific need for functionality or need something a little different, a custom theme is often the best choice.
