Custom WordPress Development vs Pre-built Themes: Which is Better?

When building WordPress websites, pre-built themes or custom development, both have many advantages and disadvantages that go along with them. About the right choice, it depends on what one is aiming for, what expansion to carry out, and, of course, how much one has to pay. At the end of the day, it is about what fits with their present vision and plans.

This blog post will outline both choices, compare the pros and cons of each, and direct you towards the best option for your business: hire remote WordPress developer.

What Are Pre-built WordPress Themes?

Pre-built themes are characterized as ready-made templates that allow a user to formally launch a WordPress website in very little time. They could include drag-and-drop builders, demo content, and a set of features that are common for the use of the business.

Pros of Pre-Built Themes:

  • Fast Launch: Your site can be up in a matter of hours or days.
  • Cheap: Many themes are cheap, and some are free.
  • User-friendly Interface: Tools allow for accomplishing the task without learning to code.
  • Huge Selection: Thousands of themes are offered for free on ThemeForest or WordPress.org.

Cons of Pre-Built Themes:

  • Lack of Customization: Some themes operating on the premium side might curb layout or functionality.
  • Bloated Code: Many pre-built themes do come with features that are seldom needed and hamper speed.
  • Security: If you can’t keep track of who maintains the third-party code and an update becomes available, then that code could put your site at risk.
  • Generic Design: It may be similar to many sites using that theme.

Which Option Is Best for You?

This depends largely upon your business goals, budget, timeline, and long-term potential for development.

Opt for Pre-built Themes If:

Ready-made templates work best with startups, freelancers, or small companies that need a cheap, fast solution. If you were to expedite the existence of, say, an art portfolio for advertisement, or a short-term landing site, the ready-made template may be best.

Little setup is needed, and drag-and-drop editors exist for the non-technical. But remember, with less responsiveness in the design, future scaling of the site for amenity advancements or for traffic capacity could pose problems.

Read moreHow to Choose the Best Web Development Company?

Example Use Case:

A photographer who is an independent freelancer wanting to display their work can choose a professionally crafted portfolio theme, add pictures, and launch in a day or two, without requiring assistance from a developer.

Choose Custom WordPress Development If:

Hence, custom WordPress development services, on the other hand, are more appropriate for companies that want an extremely customized online presence. Should your site require special design features, advanced functions, and smooth integration with third-party services, it would be wiser long term to develop with a developer.

Moreover, if you anticipate your business growing, maybe through adding eCommerce functionality, membership platforms, or multilingual sites, custom development lays the base that is solid and flexible base in place.

Use Case Example:

An eCommerce company that intends to grow its operations and incorporate special shipping, payment, or stock management systems will be helped by working with a Custom WordPress Development Company to have a site crafted from scratch.

Why hire a WordPress developer?

If you think custom WordPress development is suitable for your project, then the very next logical step for you will be to engage an experienced WordPress developer. A competent developer or, even better, a worthy WordPress Development Agency will take your idea and deliver a sound, scalable website that precisely reflects your brand identity and operational needs.

The Advantages of Hiring a Developer are: 

Custom-coded themes with less bloating

  • Plugin integrations that conform to your workflow
  • Mobile-first and responsive designs
  • Support and updates

Final Thoughts:

There certainly isn’t a particular rule of thumb in the WordPress domain. While custom creation offers complete control and the potential for higher value as time goes by, pre-built themes are best for deployments that should be fast and cheap. Think about growth, analyze your wants, and make decisions in tandem with your objectives.
Need expert help deciding, or are you ready to kick off development and hire WordPress developers? Reach out to Devstree Australia, your knowledgeable WordPress development company.

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