Chris, we often see terms like ‘bespoke website design’, or ‘custom website design’. Let’s help people out there understand a little more about this area since these are crucial decisions that businesses make right at the start of the process.
Ultimately, what does bespoke website design mean? And what should people be aware of when they either ask for a bespoke website design, or an agency proposes one?
For our readers, I’m going to start with a simple one…
What Makes Bespoke Website Design Such a Hot Topic?
Chris: I think the reason why it resonates so much is because it reflects the web design industry itself. It’s a kind of crossroads that helps us, as an agency, make an early call on a project and determine if working with a client is the right fit.
Requesting a custom-built website is completely valid – there’s nothing taboo about it. Wanting full ownership of what you’ve purchased makes sense.
However, for transparency’s sake, I think it’s important for any agency or web designer to ask why a client wants a bespoke website.
That question matters because “bespoke website” can mean wildly different things to different people. The gap between an agency’s definition and a client’s interpretation can be a trap that everyone would do well to avoid.
What Do Clients Typically Mean by ‘Bespoke’?
In many cases, “bespoke” or “custom” is simply a stand-in for different or unique. Clients want a website that stands out from their competitors but, at the same time, they also expect it to function in familiar ways based on conventional web practices.
Other times, the term relates to ownership – who controls the code, the hosting, or the platform. Some clients want to dictate how the site is built and maintained, including backend management and system integrations.
Security concerns or opinions on the platforms and tools used to build it often factor into these discussions as well.
A bespoke website might involve any combination of these factors, but rarely does a client’s initial perception include all of them. That’s where things can get tricky.
So the Definition of ‘Bespoke’ Can Be a Trap?
Has the Term ‘Bespoke’ Become Detrimental to Both Clients and Agencies?
If you only need to sharpen a single pencil, it’s tough to justify the cheapest, bluntest sharpener – but it’s equally hard to rationalize spending thousands on a high-end sharpener designed for millions of pencils. Finding a middle ground and being clear about actual requirements is crucial. The solution for sharpening a pencil once and then setting it aside is vastly different from one needed for daily use over the next two years. I always hope clients approach a website project with the mindset of purchasing the right tool for the job. But in reality, past experiences often skew their approach. It ends up feeling more like negotiating at a car dealership or competing in an episode of The Apprentice.Is the Bespoke Website a Pop Culture Trend That Won’t Die?
How Much Does The Design Of A Site Depend On Bespoke Website Development?
Well, to answer that question, let’s ask this: ‘How many of those users will actually care that the site was built from the ground up with a custom CMS and completely unique development features?’ At the end of the day, websites are just tools. The most important thing is ensuring you’re investing in the right tool for the job and it’s rare that building a website from scratch, (while absolutely possible) is the best way for someone to use their development budget. This often crops up when clients are having to wrestle with the complexity of their project or business and how it might work digitally. They’ve seen and often use incredibly well-designed sites that manage to make complicated user experiences seem effortless. Naturally, they recognize this and draw the conclusion that it must be some sort of custom development solution and that ‘going bespoke’ is somehow equivalent to the hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of resources that have gone into making a difficult process as easy as possible for the end users.What Are People Who Want Bespoke Website Design Really Looking For?
I often think that it’s the application of the right tools that they’re actually looking for. Luckily, finding that doesn’t mean locking yourself into a particular developer’s way of working. We’ve really noticed it this past couple of years with people asking for websites that can do x, y, z and eventually building web applications that integrate their business processes and data – all they really wanted was for their customers to be able to go online and access those resources as easily as they could access their websites.So Are People Actually Asking For A Bespoke Website Design, Or A Web Application?
In many cases, when people have come to us with a bespoke request, it’s the latter. They want website development, with an attractive front-end design. So, they think it’s a website project, but many of the tech products and tools they take inspiration from are actually web apps. That’s why it’s vital for service providers like us to ask the right questions. Not all agencies do, and unfortunately, that oversight damages the industry’s reputation. I’ve always believed that our responsibility is to guide clients toward solutions that truly serve their needs, not just sell them on a vague concept of ‘bespoke’ that may not deliver real value.Bespoke Website Design & Development Q&A
Below, we’ve collected some of the most frequently asked questions around bespoke website design, and the knock-on effect this has leading into bespoke website development. If you have any extra questions that we don’t cover here, feel free to get in touch.What is a bespoke website design?
Any website that’s made to order or that’s customised to a client’s needs could be considered bespoke. However, that shouldn’t just mean a scratch-built website without the themes or templates if that makes sense for their use case.
How much does a bespoke website cost?
Correctly budgeting for a bespoke website is crucial – their eventual cost can be incredibly varied, and it’s unlikely a flat fee will provide a perfect result the first time; we always suggest working collaboratively with your supplier and tracking a solid return on your investment against phased work packages as your project progresses. We also suggest scoping a contingency budget. That way, you’ll never be caught ‘out of pocket’. If you’re working with a new supplier/agency and you’ve discussed a bespoke website request, you should expect to be presented with estimates north of £10K.
What are the benefits of a bespoke design?
Every website project is an opportunity to develop a design that best reflects your aims and aspirations. Going bespoke is often a step towards getting closer to what you’re after quicker than using a pre-produced theme or template. Just remember that what’s ‘bespoke’ is often pretty subjective. Make sure there’s a clear understanding between client and supplier.
What are the disadvantages of bespoke website design and development?
Nothing: Provided everyone involved is clear about the aims and expectations around a ‘bespoke’ project. Agencies can do fantastic things; the possibilities for a website are vast. But it’s important to be realistic, particularly about the time and resources needed to commit to customisations that might not always provide a direct ROI for you, your business, or your organisation.
