Template VS Custom: Choose the Right Web Design for Your Business
January 29, 2026
Are you losing your online customers? A customer lands on your website but instantly leaves without making a purchase?
If yes, ever wondered why?
You losing your customers isn’t usually about the product you sell or its price. The most common reason that causes Sydney business owners to lose their customers is their website design, that is lacking information. Meaning your website does not reflect your business and its goals, leaving your customers confused. Resulting in no clicks, no calls, and no purchases.
That’s where you need to make the right decision. Choose between a template and a custom web design. One is convenient, while the other gives you freedom to create an unforgettable version of your business that attracts leads.
In this blog, we will learn about the template and custom web design, which one is best for your business, and how to optimise the conversion rate.
Template Website VS Custom Website
There are two major types of web designs when it comes to building a website for your business. Template and custom. Both have their own strengths and drawbacks. It is very important to make the right choice for your business and its needs. Let’s learn about both and their pros and cons.
Template Website
A template website is pre-designed. You choose a layout of your choice and fill all the content in it. It is like a ready-to-wear outfit. It’s pre-made, you just have to choose and fit in it.
Shopify, WordPress, and Wix are the platforms that allow you to build a website for your business using templates.
Custom Website
A custom website is designed from scratch, with each element that fits your brand. It is like a tailor-made outfit, made just for your business and its goals. You design and develop all elements of your website the way you want.
Key Differences
| Features | Template Website | Custom Website |
| Brand Identity | No uniqueness. | Fully unique. |
| Design and Functionality Flexibility | Restricted design, navigation, and functionality according to the template layout. | Fully flexible design, navigation, and functionality. |
| User Experience | Basic user experience. | Fully tailored user experience for better engagement and conversions. |
| Speed and Performance | It can affect speed and performance. It has limited SEO options. | Better speed, structure, and SEO friendly. |
| ROI | Lower ROI | Increased and long-term ROI |
| Scalability & Integrations | Limited scalability and integration. | Limitless integrations and easy scalability. |
What is Conversion Rate Optimisation and Why Does it Matter in Your Website Design
The first impression of your website attracts the leads or pushes them away. A strong and the right web design is important to maintain your Sydney business’s conversion rate.
If you want to turn a casual visitor into a paying customer, Conversion Rate Optimisation is your tool.
Conversion rate optimisation is the process of improving your website engagement. CRO is as important as a beautiful web design. It ensures your website’s design, layout, and content are all integrated together. It is the backbone of your website that brings sales.
Benefits of CRO
Whether you’re using a template website layout or a custom one, adding CRO principles ensures results. The key benefits of the conversion rate optimisation on the web design are:
- Intuitive user experience
- High return on investment
- Long-term growth
- Data-driven decisions
How CRO Works in Template vs Custom Websites
Conversion Rate Optimisation is available in both template and custom websites. In the template website, the CRO is limited; however, in a custom website, the CRO is built into the foundation of the website. Here are the key CRO areas where small improvements can lessen your bounce rate:
Homepage
The homepage is the first impression of your website. It helps customers understand what you offer. A clear headline and services can offer a strong impression. In the template website, the options are limited to a preset layout. In a custom website, you can design an entire page around the customer journey.
CTA Buttons
The CTA should be clear and visible. Its placement, colour, size, and content should encourage clicks. In the template website, you can choose a better colour or position depending on the template’s limits, and in a custom website, you can place CTA exactly where you want to drive maximum engagement.
Landing Pages
Create powerful landing pages with a unique structure, main goal, clean visuals, and a strong CTA. In the template website, the landing pages follow the same layout; however, in the custom website, you can create a unique landing page.
Pricing Page
Clear pricing is very important. Create a pricing page that clearly displays the prices of products and their features, helping visitors understand the product offerings.
Blogs Page
Creating a blog page isn’t just for posting information, but it also increases conversion opportunities. You can insert a relevant and strong CTA that encourages readers to click and turn into leads.
Final Thoughts
Your website might be pushing your customers away without you even noticing. But do not worry. The good news is you can fix it.
Understanding the importance of the right type of website can help you gain customers and improve ROI. Choosing a custom website layout for your business supports user experience and guarantees conversions and leads.
At Digital Impact Gurus, we help Sydney businesses to audit and build a custom website for their business that guarantees growth. We integrate CRO strategies across your website to improve engagement, clicks, and sales. Book a design audit for your current website. Also,
- Get a Free SEO Audit
- Book a Strategy Session
Ready to grow? Call Us Now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a custom-made website better than a template website?
Yes. A custom-made website is better than a template website. It gives you more flexibility to work around your business goals and enhance user experience.
How to optimise conversions?
Here is how we do conversion rate optimisation:
- Make the website easy to navigate.
- Improve page load speed.
- Optimise mobile experience.
- Keep essential elements above the fold.
- Make the call to action clear.
Am I losing customers due to my website design?
Might possible. One of the reasons for losing online customers is inefficient web design. Call us now at 1300 268 062 to book a website audit.
Where to Implement a Conversion Rate Optimisation?
Here are six key areas of your website that have the potential to benefit from conversion rate optimisation:
- Home Page
- Call-to-Action Button
- Forms
- Landing Page
- Pricing Page
- Blogs