Ready-Made Template or Custom-Made WordPress Theme: Which is Right for You?

WordPress is a popular platform for businesses to launch branded websites. A large assortment of ready-made templates makes it possible to build a full-value online platform with minimal coding, which is especially beneficial to business owners with no programming knowledge. It may be tempting to save time, money and effort by using off-the-shelf solutions, but in some cases you may need a unique theme.  
This article looks at the features of template and tailor-made WordPress themes, to help you choose the format that best meets your needs.  

Ready-Made Templates

Advantages:
- Standard themes are less expensive, most costing under $70
- Many stores offer free trial versions, so you can check out the theme’s appearance and function before buying it
- Templates are SEO-optimized
- Template products have a lot of features to cover a large customer base and stay competitive. You can experiment with different settings to make the most of WordPress CMS
- Popular themes have a convenient layout and beautiful design that could be challenging to create on your own
-  Most sellers provide six-month support and fix issues for free during this period

Disadvantages:
- A large set of features may seem like a good thing, but novices may have trouble understanding how they work or which ones to use
- To generate sales, template manufacturers focus more on appearance than function, and sometimes overlook code errors and security issues
- Once the six-month period expires, you have no guarantee of support. If the manufacturer stops updating the product, maintaining the template is up to you, and you will have to figure out WordPress or hire a webmaster
- For WP specialists, it is easier to build a customized theme from scratch than to adapt an off-the-shelf product. If a template lacks the required functionality, finding ways to implement it can be problematic
- Since SEO varies depending on your website’s purpose and industry, a template may lack the optimization settings you need. Also, you’ll need to update your strategy over time to keep up with frequent changes in general SEO requirements
- Templates overloaded with extra features and components slow down page loading speed, impacting user experience
- It is sometimes necessary to repeat the same actions several times when uploading content

Custom Themes

Advantages:
- A website developed with specific requirements is faster and easier to use,  since there are no extra features or code
- Unlimited creativity. An original design helps your brand stand out from cookie-cutter websites
- You can easily expand a tailor-made theme with additional features and changes to SEO settings

Disadvantages:
- Hiring a team of web developers to creates a unique product is more expensive than buying an off-the-shelf template
- Discussing project requirements and intermediate results, as well the development process itself, take time, while a template can be used immediately after purchase

Choosing Between Ready-Made and Custom WordPress Themes
The decision to use a custom or ready-made WordPress theme depends largely on your project, your budget and your skill set. Carefully consider the pros and cons and match them with your goals and preferences. If you need a simple website with basic functionality, use a template. For a unique online platform with excellent performance, it is worth investing your time and money in a tailor-made WordPress theme.