Should you start from a template or build something custom? Both have their place — the right choice comes down to your goals, your budget and how much you need to stand out.

## The case for templates

Templates are fast and affordable. If you need a simple, professional presence quickly and your requirements are fairly standard, a well-chosen template can do the job nicely — and get you online sooner.

## Where templates fall short

Templates are built for everyone, which means they're built for no one in particular. As your needs grow — custom features, very specific branding, unusual content — you can hit walls that are awkward and expensive to work around.

## The case for custom

A custom site is designed around your business, your customers and your goals. It looks distinctly yours, does exactly what you need, and has room to grow. The trade-off is more time upfront and a higher initial cost.

### Custom tends to win when:

- Your brand and experience need to stand out from competitors
- You have specific functionality in mind
- You expect the site to grow and change over time

> A template fits you into the design. A custom site fits the design around you.

## Our honest approach

We work both ways. For some clients a refined template is the smart, budget-friendly choice; for others, custom is worth every cent. We'll tell you honestly which makes sense for your situation rather than pushing the bigger project.

Christopher Swinnerton

Director, Swinn Digital