Creating a new website on WordPress requires some planning and decision-making. One of the basic decisions is choosing whether you want to have a custom template created, or whether you want to use an already created template in WordPress. What are the advantages of individual solutions and what is more suitable for whom?
WordPress is a free website builder that was originally developed to create blogs. Over the years, the tool has evolved to become a more comprehensive platform for creating websites. One of the main reasons why people choose this platform for creating websites is precisely the low requirements for web skills.
The article was revised and updated in May 2026.
Many people choose WordPress because it allows them to create a new website without having to hire a web designer. This is due to several reasons. It could be their very first website, a low budget, little confidence in the project, or they simply want to see if people are interested in their idea.
However, WordPress is also used by large companies such as Ford or Procter & Gamble. About 33% of all websites today run on WordPress, and this number is constantly growing.
WordPress on a purchased template
Not every project requires a custom template. In many cases, purchased themes are an excellent solution, not lagging behind custom solutions. Plus, if you tweak the theme a bit to fit your brand and needs, you can create a great performing website that generates conversions.
Advantages of a website on a template
Creating a website using a purchased theme takes less time than creating a template from scratch. You don't have to be a professional in writing codes and programming languages, or hire an agency to create a website. If you struggle with a lack of time, using a purchased theme can save you weeks or months. All the code is already there, you only need to customize the design a little, add content and your site is ready.
WordPress already has pre-built content management system (CMS) so you have more time focus on content and design. It also has a library of presets themes, some of which are free. Instead of worrying with creating your own theme, you can choose one from the library and change the look of the website instantly.
WordPress themes are also affordable. In addition to free themes, there are also premium themes that are really available, with prices ranging from 10 to 100 euros. A number of add-ons and plugins are also free, making WordPress a great choice for startups.
Next, WordPress provides a secure platform for your website. A large community of developers works to create a catch for any security issues, or bugs in the system and subsequently provides a security update. WordPress is constantly releasing updates that you can download and install to make your website more secure.
You can use a number of SEO plugins for search placement. With these plugins, you can add some basic SEO elements to any website, such as meta description, H1 tags and meta titles. Some plugins will detect and provide information about the state of SEO optimization.
WordPress has responsive themes that will make your site effective on mobile, tablet and desktop. These themes provide users with a positive experience while browsing the website on any device. As mentioned above, WordPress started as a blogging platform. So it still has built-in blog features that allow for easy blog setup and maintenance.
Disadvantages purchased theme
While it's great to pick any theme from the library, you may find it difficult to customize to your preferences. Purchased themes are less flexible. Themes are built on certain frameworks and systems that only support certain technologies. In this case, you will need the services of an experienced developer who understands the functionality of WordPress.
Some less purchased themes may not have noise technical support from the theme creator. If you hire a developer or designer, they will take care of every aspect of your website, including troubleshooting, debugging, and solving any problems you have. There are also themes that have amazing 24/7 support, but this is rare and you have to rely on limited support via e-mail or the forum.
Some topics don't they are automatically optimized for SEO. They may have built-in SEO plugins, well they require a lot of modification.
Custom template
The custom template is built from the ground up. As a tailor-made product, it can fulfill all the needs on the list of requirements. All website features such as colors, layout, transitions, animations, CTA elements, responsiveness and other design aspects will be created, tested and coded specifically for the needs of the specific website and target group.
This approach it allows creators to think about the smallest details that they will use general benefits of CMS WordPress. The design thus clearly focuses on the project's objectives.
To create it, you need to hire a freelancer or an agency that specializes in designing and creating websites.
Advantages custom templates
A custom template contains only elements that are necessary for a specific project, such as plugins. The fact that it does not contain redundant elements increases its loading speed and improves SEO, which is emphasized during development.
Creating a custom template will make your website unique. No other website will look like yours (unless someone copies it). Uniqueness is an essential feature for any good company. Thanks to this, the website is more memorable and stands out more.
The design can be completely customized and does not need to be adapted to a purchased template. All programmable functions are under control. A custom template is less vulnerable than a publicly available template, as they are created and only the necessary elements are used. It is not a multipurpose theme that will be resold for multiple types of projects.
A custom template is better for SEO than a purchased theme. This is especially important for companies that operate primarily online.
From the point of view of programming, it is easier to program new functions. When developing a custom template, there is no need to adapt to a given theme builder, as with a regular purchased template, as it starts from scratch.
My napr. využívame Gutenberg v kombinácii s Advanced Custom Fields (ACF), dodržiavame WordPress kódex a API a vieme použiť moderné javascriptové komponenty alebo celú tému postaviť na reaktívnom javacsripte – Vue.js alebo React.
A custom website can grow as your company grows and adapts. If you want to make any changes in the future, you can contact the company that created the website for you and ask them to redesign it.
Disadvantages custom templates
Templates built from the ground up are more expensive than bought ones. This is due to customizing according to your needs, which requires professional expertise and also more time. Any website changes take time and you have to rely on the availability of developers.
Although this solution is more expensive in the short term, it will save costs in the long term. Should the purchased template cease to be maintained by the original creator, the cost of changing the theme will be much higher. Changes and new functions of a custom-made template are cheaper, and professional agencies as well as vibration can give you a guarantee and warranty for a certain period of time for custom-made templates.
Decide according to your needs
Most purchased premium themes handle responsiveness well. It has a nicely done demo for contents and offers an excellent price/performance ratio. On a small budget, you get great value that cannot be matched by creating a custom template.
However, it often happened to us at vibration that after filling the purchased theme with our own content, the website no longer looked so good. We certainly wouldn't put our hand in the fire for some topics chosen by the client.
A new website is usually meant to last for several years, so we recommend always making a custom theme. We know how to support it in the long term, we work with the right specific content from the beginning, and the theme contains only what is needed. WordPress can also be slow, so a custom theme is a better option. We want to be in control as a website supplier.
Radi Vám s vašim projektom pomôžeme. Máme dlhoročné skúsenosti s tvorbou WordPress webových stránok. Pozrite si naše rozsiahle WordPress portfólio.
