Template built or custom built website?

[cafe-central]

Having read a previous thread about people paying around 5-6k for a GOOD e-commerce site, I approached a web design company who strongly recommend templates as opposed to custom for the following reasons:

What do you think?

1) The code used is industry standard (i.e. CSS and HTML compliant).
2) The website is highly scalable, so it's easier to make changes down the line if necessary.
3) The client is delivered with a website where more than one website company can understand the code.
4) You are not tied into one website company.
5) The website has the best chance of performing organically because search engines such as Google and Bing like the coding because of its structure.
6) The back end of the website (content management system or CMS) has literally been created by 1000's of website developers worldwide, where as a 100% custom site is generally built by 1 or 2 people. Having a large developer resource makes the CMS very powerful.
7) There is less risk of a malicious website hacker breaking the site because of the CMS security plug-ins.


On the down side:

1) We do have to work within the template structure so there are rare occasions when we can't implement a request.

 

[Faevilangel]

Template driven, but a unique theme. 99% of ecommerce software will run on templates like magento, zencart etc

Unique site would be only if you had custom needs and no other solution is viable for you.

 

[seoandy]

my advice is to get a designer on board who codes templates, or changes the template - like myself.

going totally custom can cost more, but it doesn't mean you won't get 100% validation of code, it doesnt mean you're tied to a company (at least not with me, you get all the code all clients do), code should me commented and the big point you make is the cost, £5 to £6k is a lot - however my average cost even for a bespoke ecommerce solution is just 850, this includes code updates for a year so thats no worry.

going template speeds up the process thats for sure.

 

[Faevilangel]

my advice is to get a designer on board who codes templates, or changes the template - like myself.

going totally custom can cost more, but it doesn't mean you won't get 100% validation of code, it doesnt mean you're tied to a company (at least not with me, you get all the code all clients do), code should me commented and the big point you make is the cost, £5 to £6k is a lot - however my average cost even for a bespoke ecommerce solution is just 850, this includes code updates for a year so thats no worry.

going template speeds up the process thats for sure.

I think the OP means a full on ecommerce store built for £6k and not a template for an open source option.

A fully built ecommerce system is going to be a minimum of £5k depending on the features added. Going open source / pre built is a good option as it cuts down the production time but the features you want may not be available.

Any competent designer / developer should be able to make a unique theme for your new store, just make sure they are actually building it and not using a peice of software to do it (like artisteer).

 

[edmondscommerce]

template is maybe not the right word here, these days I would call something like Magento an ecommerce application or platform

A template is more of a canned design theme which can then be applied to that platform (which is a great way of saving money)

 

[seoandy]

No ... A custom CMS/ecommerce platform such as http://spirit-retail.co.uk costs around 850

sorry to wee on your fire but thats my going rate

 

[sanjiv]

I would say that template driven is the best. At the end of the day, the designer can still customer it.

 

[Faevilangel]

No ... A custom CMS/ecommerce platform such as http://spirit-retail.co.uk costs around 850

sorry to wee on your fire but thats my going rate

You build a custom ecom system for £850 I charge just under that for a template for an open source ecom store.

You don't value your time much do you

 

[seoandy]

I do value my time dearly, but my developers can turn a template out on our system in a day or two, added functions cost more - we tend to build sites that arent just a single being i.e not just wanted for e-commerce but rather based around a community.

 

[cafe-central]

Thanks for your replies guys...

Andy - had a look at that spirit retail site you have shown, the writing on some of the boxes arent in the boxes - which cheapens the site....Not a dig at you, just an observation from someone who is looking for a webdesigner. That little error could cost you....

 

[seoandy]

thats not good - i've not been responsible for updating the site since 2 months ago so haven't seen this bug ... can you pm me the link so i can fix it as I can't see it off hand

thanks for pointing this out - I understand it's not a dig and given I am full transparent in what I do I don't mind people pointing out errors on pages (most often its spelling mistakes - from copy which isn't mine )

 

[*Lexxy*]

OP, presumably this is for a different venture to your new cafe?

 

[cafe-central]

No, its the same thing. As my product is niche in the UK, I am looking to supply on my website. Have secured a good contract with my manufacturers so hope it sells as well in the UK as it has worldwide.

 

[*Lexxy*]

No, its the same thing. As my product is niche in the UK, I am looking to supply on my website. Have secured a good contract with my manufacturers so hope it sells as well in the UK as it has worldwide.

:| you're selling items from your cafe on an e-commerce site? surely i have this muddled!

 

[cafe-central]

:| you're selling items from your cafe on an e-commerce site? surely i have this muddled!

Yep - I was never intending on opening a normal cafe like Starbucks or such. I have a niche product as well which is not currently sold in the UK...im beginning to think maybe the online site might just be best for now but I need an outlet to promote the product...

 

[seoandy]

it's not muddled at all

I've a client on a project something similar to selling food online only a letter more focused its a good project

 

[*Lexxy*]

it's not muddled at all

I've a client on a project something similar to selling food online only a letter more focused its a good project

i never said the project was muddled, i said I was!


op - ah, from all your other posts, i just thought this was a normal cafe you were opening. my mistake.