When you’re setting up your BigCommerce store, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is whether to use a predesigned theme or a custom design. Both options have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to weigh them carefully before making a decision.
Predesigned Themes for BigCommerce
Pros:
- Affordable. Predesigned themes are typically much cheaper than custom designs. You can find predesigned themes for as little as $50 in the platform’s theme store, while a custom-designed site from a qualified developer can cost thousands of dollars.
- Quick and easy to set up. You can usually install a predesigned theme in just a few minutes. This is a great option for businesses that don’t have a lot of time to invest in designing their store and don’t require a whole lot of customization beyond what the theme offers.
- Mobile-friendly. Most predesigned themes are optimized for mobile devices, so your customers will be able to shop on your store from their phones and tablets.
Cons:
- Not as unique. If you use a predesigned theme, your store will look like many other stores. This can be a problem if you want your store to stand out from your competition.
- May not be as flexible. Predesigned themes may not be as flexible as custom designs, so you may not be able to customize them to your exact specifications. For example, if you have a specific layout in mind for your item page you may not be able to match that layout with a theme.
- May not be as SEO-friendly. Predesigned themes may not be as SEO-friendly as custom designs. This means that your store may not rank as high in search engine results pages (SERPs).
Custom Designed Theme for BigCommerce
Pros:
- Unique. A custom design will make your store stand out from the competition. You can create a store that reflects your brand and your brand’s personality.
- Flexible. You can customize a custom design to your exact specifications. This means that you can change the color scheme, the layout, and the features of the store to match your needs.
- SEO-friendly. A custom design can be optimized for search engines, which can help you attract more traffic to your store.
Cons:
- Expensive. Custom designs are typically much more expensive than predesigned themes. You can expect to pay several thousand dollars for a custom design.
- Take longer to set up. It can take several weeks or even months to create a custom design. This is a longer timeframe than setting up a predesigned theme.
- Not as mobile-friendly. Custom designs may not be as mobile-friendly as predesigned themes depending on the level of complexity you’re building into your site. This means that you may have to do some extra work to make sure your store looks good on mobile devices, which isn’t a problem, it just adds additional time to your project.
The decision of whether to use a predesigned theme or a custom design for your BigCommerce store is a personal one. There are pros and cons to both options, so it’s important to weigh them carefully before making a decision.
If you’re on a tight budget or you don’t have a lot of time to invest in designing your store, then a predesigned theme might be a good option for you. However, if you want a unique and one-of-a-kind store, then a custom design might be the better choice.
In addition to the pros and cons listed above, there are a few other factors you should consider when choosing between a predesigned theme and a custom design. These include:
- Your target audience. If you’re targeting a specific audience, you may want to choose a predesigned theme that is designed for that audience. For example, if you’re selling products to teenagers, you might want to choose a theme that has a modern and trendy look.
- Your brand identity. If you have a strong brand identity, you may want to choose a custom design that reflects your brand. This will help you create a store that is consistent with your brand and that will appeal to your target audience.
- Your future plans. If you plan to grow your business in the future, you may want to choose a custom design that can be easily scaled. This will make it easier to add new products and features to your store without having to rebuild the entire design. For example, if you start selling more products, you may need to add more categories and product pages to your store. If you use a predesigned theme, this can be a challenge, as you may not have the flexibility to add new pages or categories without breaking the design. However, if you use a custom design, you can easily add new pages and categories without having to worry about breaking the design. This is because a custom design is built specifically for your store, so it can be easily modified to accommodate your growing needs. So, if you’re planning to grow your business in the future, it’s important to choose a design that can be easily scaled. This will save you time and money in the long run.
Now that we’ve covered the pros and cons of predesigned themes vs a custom design for your BigCommerce store, it’s time to make a decision, so be sure to:
- Start by brainstorming your design ideas. What kind of look and feel do you want for your store? What are your target audience’s needs and preferences? Once you have a good idea of what you want, you can start to narrow down your options.
- Do your research. There are many different predesigned themes and custom design services available. Take some time to research your options and compare prices, features, and reviews.
- Get quotes from multiple designers. If you decide to go with a custom design, get quotes from multiple designers before making a decision. This will help you get the best possible price and ensure that you’re getting a quality design.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If you’re not sure which option is right for you, don’t be afraid to ask questions. The BigCommerce team can help you assess your needs and recommend the best option for your business.
If you’re still not sure which option is right for you, Your Store Wizards can help! Contact us for a free consultation to go over all the options available for your eCommerce store and learn even more about whether a predesigned theme or a custom design is best for your business based on your unique needs. We offer complete BigCommerce design options to fit your budget and can also set you up with a trial store so you can “kick the tires” and make sure it’s the right choice for your business.
Scott Sanfilippo began his eCommerce journey in 1994 by co-founding one of the Internet’s first online retailers, TheFerretStore.com, which was acquired by PetCo in 2006. In 2001, he co-founded the eCommerce design and marketing firm Solid Cactus, which was acquired by web.com in 2009. Today, Scott is the General Manager of Your Store Wizards and lives in Delray Beach, FL. Scott can be contacted at scott@yourstorewizards.com.