/ Format vs format
RIOT vs Custom Build vs Template
A template gets you online fast and cheap. A custom build costs more upfront but gives you a site that actually fits your business, ranks better, and won't need replacing in 18 months. Here's the honest comparison.
Custom Build vs Template is best for
Templates: pre-launch validation, side projects, brochure sites with no growth ambition. Custom: any business where the website is a real revenue channel.
Where it falls down
Templates: SEO at scale, brand differentiation, performance, customisation. Custom: short turnaround, sub-£500 budgets.
Side by side
| Feature | Custom Build vs Template | RIOT |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | £0–£60 + your time | £249.99–£3,000+ |
| Time to launch | 1 weekend (you), 2–4 weeks (us) | 2–6 weeks done-for-you |
| Looks like | 20,000 other sites | Your business and nobody else's |
| SEO ceiling | Limited by template structure | No ceiling — built for ranking |
| Page speed | 60–80 (template bloat) | 85+ as standard |
| Conversion rate | Generic — average 1–2% | Designed around your funnel — 3–6% |
| Lifespan | 12–24 months before replacement | 4–6 years with light refresh |
The verdict
Templates are great for testing an idea. They are a terrible long-term home for a real business. The maths is simple: a custom site that converts 3% instead of 1% pays for itself in weeks, not years. We build custom from £249.99 — cheaper than most premium templates plus the dev time to make them fit.
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Ready to switch?
We migrate from Custom Build vs Template every month — usually keeping your existing SEO rankings intact. 48-hour quote, fixed price.
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