Develop a custom website or use HubSpot Marketplace Template?

Should You Custom Code Your Website or Use a HubSpot Marketplace Template?

HubSpot provides incredibly useful tools for companies looking to get a website up and running in no time. HubSpot marketplace templates blend sleek design, excellent usability, and mobile friendliness. Plus, the integration of the HubSpot CMS and marketing automation platform makes it easier for companies to create intelligent, personalized experiences for their users.

However, using a HubSpot marketplace template is not the right solution for everyone. Sometimes a custom-coded website will still be the best solution, especially if you need something complex or completely original. So, let’s look at some of the things to consider when choosing between a HubSpot marketplace template and a custom-coded website.

When to Use a HubSpot Marketplace Template

1. You Have Time or Budget Constraints

HubSpot templates save money and time over building a custom website. If you have a small budget for your site or need it to be done quickly, you will likely want to start with a template. It takes time and money to craft the perfect custom website, and templates offer great solutions to those with budget constraints.

1. Your Needs Are Straightforward

There’s no need to reinvent the wheel if you need something simple. HubSpot has already figured out solutions for things like mobile responsiveness, easy navigation, and readability. If you don’t have any special requirements for your site, consider a template.

1. You’re Not Sure What You Need

There is also the case where you aren’t sure exactly how you want your website to look and feel. This may be because your company is brand new or because you haven’t invested in user research yet. This would be a good reason to look at templates, because again, they have already figured out the solutions the vast majority websites need. You are likely to find that the simple solution you’re looking for has already been built.

1. You Don’t Have the Resources to Support a Custom-Coded Site

There’s no doubt that a custom site can require more technical expertise to maintain or update. With a template, any issues you experience are likely to be experienced by hundreds or thousands of other businesses, and you can rely on the support of the HubSpot community to help you fix them. With a custom-coded website, you’re the only one experiencing the problem, and custom maintenance may need to be done by a developer. Likewise, updates to a template benefit everyone, but updating a custom site may need to be done by you independently.

If you build a custom website, expect that it will need maintenance for things like security updates to custom plugins, fixing occasional bugs, resolving integration issues with outside plugins, and more. If you don’t have the resources to support your custom website on an ongoing basis, a template may be the best option for you.

1. When You Don’t Have Set Style Guidelines

Making a template adhere to style guidelines takes a lot of effort. If you already have a lot of guidelines in place for your brand, sometimes it’s best to develop a custom website instead. It all depends on what is available and what your requirements are, so consider speaking to a HubSpot professional to see if your brand’s style guidelines can be addressed by a preexisting template.

When to Build a Custom Website

1. You Need Something a Marketplace Template Can’t Deliver

On the other hand, consider building a custom website when out-of-the-box solutions aren’t working for you. If you need complex features, custom add-ons, or interactive features that you can’t find in a template, this is a good reason to look at a custom-coded site. Developers can often build off of an existing template to create custom functionality for you, but in some cases they may need to start from scratch for a completely custom solution.

1. You Want to Create Something Original

If you want to create something innovative, a custom-coded website may be the best way to go. When you invest in a custom site, you will get originality and a design that differentiates you from your competitors. Essentially, you can build something that doesn’t look like anyone else’s, and you can create a website that speaks to the uniqueness of your brand.

1. You Have the Money and Time to Invest in Your Site

Keep in mind that building a custom-coded website is an investment. It will require great designers, UX researchers, and developers to find the exact right solution for your company. This all takes time and money, but the results can elevate your brand. If you have the resources to invest in your site, it may be worthwhile to seek out a custom solution that will set your company apart.

In short, there are many right ways to build a website, and both templates and custom-coded sites will appeal to different kinds of enterprises. Since the needs of every business are different, it’s a good idea to talk over your options with an expert. We are happy to discuss your individual case to help you decide which option is right for you.