CMS or custom built website: which one should you choose?
There are three common ways to get a website. This guide explains each one in plain words, so you can pick the one that fits your business and your budget.
By Joel, Director at Anselerate. Published and last reviewed on .
Short answer
Choose a CMS such as WordPress if you want to add features from a plugin library or have many people writing. Choose a ready made template if you want a fast, safe site for a small shop or portfolio at a low cost. Choose a custom built site if you have special needs that no template or plugin covers.
What each one means
CMS
A CMS is a content management system. WordPress and Joomla are the best known. You edit pages in your browser and add features with plugins and themes.
Ready made template
A template is a finished website with a small admin, made for one purpose such as a portfolio or a shop. You add your own words, pictures and colours. Our website templates work this way.
Custom built website
A developer writes the site for you from nothing, to match your exact plan. It costs the most, and it can do the most.
Compare them side by side
Scroll sideways on a phone to see every column.
| Topic | CMS, such as WordPress | Ready made template | Custom built website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost to start | Low with a free theme. Higher with a premium theme and plugins | Low and fixed. The Basic Website Template is $150 a year | Highest, because you pay for a developer's time |
| Running cost | Hosting, plus plugin and theme fees that often renew every year | Your hosting only | Developer time for each change, plus hosting |
| Time to launch | Days to weeks | Hours to days, because the site is ready | Weeks to months |
| Who edits the text | You, in a large admin | You, in a small admin with a card for each job | A developer, unless an admin is built |
| Keeping it updated | Core, theme and plugins need updates often | One small code base to update | Whatever was written, so ask your developer |
| Safety | Old plugins and themes are a common way sites get hacked | No plugin system, so no plugin holes | Depends on the developer |
| Speed | Depends on the theme and plugins, and often needs a cache plugin | Light pages that are fast by default | Can be very fast, if it is built well |
| Search setup | Usually needs an SEO plugin | Built in: titles, canonical links, structured data and a sitemap | Written by hand |
| Adding new features | Easy, from a large plugin library | Needs a developer for a new kind of feature | Anything is possible, at a cost |
| Best for | Blogs, news sites and sites with many writers | One artist, maker or small shop | Special needs, such as booking systems or custom dashboards |
Which one is right for you?
Choose a CMS if
- You want to add new features yourself from a plugin library.
- Many people will write or edit pages.
- You need several languages, memberships or card payments on the site.
Choose a ready made template if
- You are one artist, maker or small shop.
- You want a fast, safe site that is live in days, not months.
- You want a low, fixed price and an admin you can learn in one afternoon.
Choose a custom built website if
- Your plan is special, for example a booking system or a custom dashboard.
- You have the budget for a developer and can wait for the result.
- No template or plugin does what you need.
Our own sites
We use all three. Our spare parts export site runs on Joomla, which is a CMS. Our template sites are ready made templates. Our tools, such as Ansel Forms, are custom built.
Not sure? Ask us
Tell us what you sell and what you can spend. We will suggest the simplest option that works, and we will give you a clear price before you pay.
Questions about CMS and custom websites
Is a CMS always better than a custom site?
No. A CMS is a good fit when you want many plugins or many writers. A custom site is better when your plan is special. A template is a good middle choice for a small shop or portfolio.
Is a ready made template the same as a free page builder?
No. Our Free Single Page Builder makes one page. A template is a full website with several pages, a shop and a blog.
Can I move from a template to a custom site later?
Yes. Your words, pictures and products can be moved. Ask us before you start so we can plan it with you.
How much does a custom site cost?
It depends on your plan. You can hire a developer for a short time through the Customise your package option, and we give you a clear price before you pay.