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Introduction
As a web designer and developer with a strong technical background, I’m passionate about the tech we use to craft an incredible website for you, perfectly suited to your needs.
In a world where website builders find ways to make creating a site simpler and more accessible, sometimes a custom-coded site could be more suited to your needs.
In this article, I’ll talk you through the value of custom-coded websites and how they address the specific needs and challenges of sticking out in saturated markets. But first, what is a custom-coded site?
What is a custom-coded website?
You might have heard any of the following terms:
- Custom website
- Custom-coded website
- Hand-built website
- Bespoke websites
They all usually refer to the same thing: a website that is built the more traditional way, using files of written code. Websites built this way are written line-by-line and file-by-file to create every element, page and bit of functionality on your website.
We'll dig into the benefits and reasons to have your website built this way shortly. But, at Lumin, our custom-coded sites are also usually what is known as a "static website". This means that no matter who visits your website it will look the same and your users can't change it.
This is the opposite of a dynamic website which can change multiple ways throughout the day. Think of an e-commerce website with stock numbers or a blog where people can leave comments – changing the website themselves.
Static websites can be much more lightweight, more performant, eco-friendly and often free to host online.
We build our custom-coded websites using a combination of Astro (a performance and content-focussed coding framework that speeds up development) to build your website, and Sanity (a headless Content Management System) to enable you to edit your website after launch.
Let's really dig into the benefits now. Reasons 9 and 10 are exceptionally good ones.
Reason 1: Speed matters!
Optimising performance for lightning-fast websites is one of the main benefits of creating a custom site. Not least because of the below super important fact:
Faster website loading speeds directly correlate with higher conversions.
Let’s say that again, “The faster my website loads, the more conversions it will generate for me”. Here is a collection of particularly interesting studies that highlight this:
How slow loading speeds are losing you engagement, conversions and money .
It doesn’t matter how stunning your website is, how many cool features it has, or whether you got a UX specialist to “optimise” the design of your site. If it doesn’t load instantly, people will either lose interest and go somewhere else, or they will get increasingly frustrated if they are forced to endure your sluggish speeds.
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, slow-loading websites can be a major turn-off for almost all users.
Well, thanks to custom-coding expertise, we can ensure that your website flies. This is why I mainly use Astro to build sites, which is a modern framework that prioritises speed. By optimising website performance and implementing efficient coding practices, custom coding websites enable us to deliver lightning-fast websites that captivate visitors and keep them engaged.
Say goodbye to frustrated users, high bounce rates, and the dreaded loading white screen!
Reason 2: Responsive design to reach your audience across all devices
Mobile devices are now the primary means of accessing the internet. So, having a responsive website is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Website builders have come a decent way to focus on making sites responsive, but the problem is some often only focus on about 2-3 breakpoints (i.e. 2-3 screen widths where they decide to change the design).
There’s a plethora of screen sizes out there nowadays and unfortunately designing for just a handful of them and hoping that will create great mobile experiences can miss the mark.
This often leads to sites which are either uncomfortable on certain devices or just straight unusable on smaller devices. I’m not saying every site built with a website builder won’t work, people make stunning websites using website builders. We even use one called Webflow for a lot of our client projects, you can read our evaluation of Webflow here .
But, I definitely see a lot of room for error, especially for website DIYers who don't have a load of technical expertise.
The benefit of custom-coding sites is that you can have as many breakpoints as you want! Yay, breakpoints! Essentially what this means is as your web designer and developer, I can check the design through every single possible screen width within a minute and identify where there are problems in the responsiveness of a page. I can then make pin-pointed alterations to the design to make the design maintain its beauty and usability!
I take pride in creating websites that adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes and resolutions. With a responsive design, you can effortlessly reach and engage your audience on any device, delivering a consistent and delightful experience. Sounds pretty wonderful, to be honest…
Reason 3: Enhancing user experience
Let’s make sure that speedy, responsive website is user-friendly.
Websites that confuse users, have clunky interfaces or are difficult to navigate can be a real pain. While some templates available in certain website builders have had some user testing (well, at least I hope they do…), you’re trying to get the functions you need on your site to fit into someone else’s box.
That’s where custom sites come in to save the day! If you hire a developer with expertise in user experience (UX) design, they can ensure that your website is intuitive, user-friendly, and optimised for a delightful browsing experience. This is because you get a tailored solution to your exact needs and customers. Rather than just “making it work”, with custom sites we can tailor the user experience to be enjoyable and seamless for everyone.
While UX isn't exclusive to custom-coded sites, this point is more related to sites built using a template in a huge, mostly unmoderated, marketplace. Website builders can make sites from scratch too, but they also enable easy access to templates which may not work for your business when used as a quick set up and go.
By focusing on usability and intuitive interfaces, we can ensure visitors can easily find what they need and convert into loyal and happy customers. As I say “Happy user experience, happy life”. Joking, I never say that, but it is still true.
Reason 4: True creativity with tailored solutions for unique brands
Convenience frequently comes at the expense of uniqueness, it’s critical to understand the limitations of one-size-fits-all themes and website builders. They may provide ease and simplicity, but they frequently limit creative freedom and fail to capture the soul of your brand.
Custom coding provides complete design, functionality, and branding flexibility. Your website will be a true expression of your brand’s identity, meticulously developed and personalised to your precise vision. No more generic templates or cookie-cutter designs that fail to capture the soul of who you are, you get to have something with flair that really shows you or your business off.
There are endless benefits to working with an actual human to design and build a site with your identity and branding in mind. While website builders offer a cheaper or quicker DIY option, for people who are after true creative freedom, bespoke functionality and a unique experience, a custom design and build can be a great option!
Reason 5: Simplifying content management
Get empowered to take control of your site with a custom solution!
It should not be difficult to manage the content of a website. With difficult or antiquated content management systems, many clients suffer. We’re at this really weird point in the content management landscape… Let me be direct and talk about the big obvious player, WordPress.
Sometimes I feel we’re stuck in a bit of a loop. WordPress powers such a large portion of the internet so people are extremely used to WordPress and see it as the “go-to” solution. Then, because it’s so popular and a lot of people have used the content management back-end of the software, people are used to it and therefore opt for new sites to be built the same. And the loop continues, keeping us and future website owners all tethered to its overwhelming and lethargic back end…
WordPress has done very cool things for the internet in making websites cheap and accessible for all, but sometimes I feel the content management experience is more well-known than well-done.
There are far too many distracting tools, widgets and raging red notifications and alerts every time you log in to write a blog post or change an image. Overloaded content management systems are stressful and thus negatively impact the experience and relationship with your website. Due to website builders trying to accommodate everyone, they provide you with every possible tool.
This sounds great in theory, but realistically it’s like if I asked you to fix something simple for me and I sent you to a whole workshop to find the tools you need, rather than just giving you the screwdriver you need from the start. For some clients, it's an extra stress.
Headless CMS comes and saves the day!
A headless CMS (Content Management System) is essentially an admin interface we can attach to your website through custom code.
You can easily develop, update, and organise your website material using a specially designed content management system that is suited to your individual needs. There are so many options with great features nowadays that are super efficient, have beautiful modern interfaces and allow unique customisability, so you only have the tools you actually need.
And b r e a t h e… No more battling with difficult user interfaces or wasting hours attempting a straightforward modification. Take a breath and be in charge of your content to save time and stress.
Reason 6: Fortifying security - safeguarding your online presence
In an age of increasing cybersecurity threats, protecting your website and user data is of paramount importance.
Generic platforms and pre-built templates can leave you vulnerable to breaches. This makes sense because if I was going to learn to pick locks so I could burgle houses, and I knew that 40% of houses used one particular lock, I would learn to break into that one rather than the unique lock that I’ve never seen before.
Not to mention the whole “your site security is at risk please update your plugins” warning you get every couple of weeks. The good thing is many platforms are constantly working to make their users’ sites more secure.
Therefore, custom sites protect themselves partially through individuality, but also being well-maintained systems developed and constantly improved by real technical boffins!
By implementing robust security measures, following industry best practices, and staying up to date with the latest security standards, we can ensure that your website remains a fortress against potential threats. You can relax knowing that your sensitive information and your website users are safe and secure.
Reason 7: Conquering search engines and boosting your online visibility
Let’s get into one of today’s website buzzwords - SEO!
People LOVE to talk SEO. It’s one of web development's and marketing's many acronyms and a great one (Search Engine Optimisation, for those of you who haven’t received 2,000 emails or LinkedIn messages offering to boost your SEO…).
A stunning website won’t yield any results (even if it is now super fast, user friendly and bespoke…) if it’s chilling on the third page of Google whenever anyone searches something relevant to your site.
To thrive in the digital realm, you need a website that shines on the first page in search engine rankings. By implementing SEO-friendly coding practices, optimizing website elements, and adhering to search engine guidelines, a custom site will enhance your website’s search visibility.
Your SEO is automatically bolstered by all of the reasons 1-6 already covered in this article.
“But Lucian, SEO is to do with stuffing my site with keywords related to my business. What does it have to do with all these other AMAZING features you’ve mentioned so far?”
Well my friend, let me tell you.
All of the above benefits create a custom site built by an actual developer is written in clean code according to practices that Google admires, respects and appreciates! Especially the fast loading speeds and good mobile experience.
If you don’t believe me, you can read it for yourself straight from Google’s omnipresent digital mouth.
Furthermore, custom sites allow a much more flexible and precise technical SEO approach as well as content-based SEO using those beloved keywords. But, this is a whole other topic (I will cover our 2-pronged SEO approach and how you can benefit at some point in the future).
With improved organic search rankings, you’ll attract more targeted traffic, increase brand exposure, and achieve your online goals. Time to welcome some new customers!
Reason 8: Seamless Integration for a unified online presence
Your website is just one piece of the puzzle. Many clients require integration with various third-party services like payment gateways, CRM systems, and inventory management tools. As a custom-coding expert, I get numerous requests from clients asking if they can seamlessly integrate these systems into their websites.
The answer depends. Am I building them a new custom site, or have they already got something set up on a power-hungry platform that has them locked into their services?
Custom sites bring flexibility. The combination of:
- Fast and flexible static sites
- API calls
- A huge number of headless CMS options
- More and more platforms offer developers seamless integrations and APIs
All means your site can connect to the needs of your online presence like a precise web, everything connecting together effortlessly and seamlessly.
Website builders can also connect your site with other services very easily depending on the integration. But, for something more complex they often need you to install a plugin that bloats your site or hire a developer anyway to insert some code in order for you to integrate your existing online presence altogether.
So if you need something very complex integrated into your website, or if you cannot find a way to integrate a specific function or software into your website with a website builder, a custom build may be the best option for you.
Reason 9: Free website hosting and zero platform fees
One of the key advantages of a custom-coded site, particularly when it’s lightweight and static, is that it can be hosted for free on platforms like Netlify . Because static websites don’t require server-side processing, they demand less computing power and resources, making them ideal for free hosting.
Netlify offers seamless deployment, and since your custom site is built with clean, optimised code, it stays light and fast, ensuring a great user experience without costing you regular hosting or platform fees. Essentially, you get top-tier performance at zero ongoing hosting cost.
To this day, this is probably one of the greatest benefits of custom-coded sites. Although they usually come with higher upfront costs because development takes longer and is more complex, the savings over time can really add up. That's because with most website builders, you're not just paying for hosting but also whatever platform fees they choose to charge.
Reason 10: Low carbon footprint
Custom-coded sites are also easier to optimise for eco-friendliness. This is tightly linked to the performance and loading speed point mentioned earlier, and it's often the main reason we build custom-coded sites as opposed to Webflow sites. Performance and carbon footprint often go hand-in-hand with websites.
Their streamlined structure and lightweight design mean that they consume significantly less energy compared to dynamic websites or those built on bloated platforms. This translates to lower energy consumption from the servers, reducing your website’s carbon footprint.
If you're interested in going further with this, check out our separate article on creating low-carbon websites , where I delve into actionable strategies to make your site more environmentally sustainable.
By choosing a custom-coded site, you're not just getting a powerful tool for your business; you're also making a choice that’s better for the planet!
Final thoughts
Every solution has pros and cons
Look, I’m not trying to have a pop at website builders or any platform like WordPress in particular. They all certainly have their place, are always getting better and will always be around.
There are also plenty of platforms that I really enjoy using and I think offer a lot of flexibility (Shopify and Webflow being a couple of them) and others that I often see really great sites built in such as Squarespace.
Websites can be built brilliantly and not-so-brilliantly no matter what tech is behind them. At the end of the day that goes for custom-coded sites and all website builders. It comes down to who is building your site and their expertise.
With WordPress for example, I know a tonne of fabulous WordPress developers that make exceptional sites with all the above benefits. But I also know there are some sites that give it a bad name because they haven't been built the right way.
There are many times when I think website builders are a good idea, and they are very helpful to those on a lower budget who like a bit of DIY (and don’t mind shouting at their computer in the process…).
Jokes aside, website builders can play a vital role in a business owner's online journey. They allow many businesses to get something out there to start testing, learning and growing while their business matures into something that's ready for a more professional site. That might be custom-coded, or it might be built using one of our favourite website builders like Webflow.
So I’m sorry if you love website builders and you took any offence from the above points – I do like them too! Can we still be friends?
Conclusion
I hope you gained some insight into the benefits of custom sites with this article. If you have questions, I set a limited number of 2 slots aside every Wednesday to have free chats about websites or website strategy. You can book one of the limited slots here .
Do you have a website that you want checked out? Get your free New Moon Audit to learn how your website is dimming your shine in just 15 minutes. This is an easy first step towards a strategy-driven website you’re proud of and the first part of our process towards a more confident, effective and professional online presence.
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