Custom web development 101:
Everything you need to know

By Ikius Team

August 30th, 2022

*This post was written over two years ago, and while it reflects the best information available at that time, some details may have changed.

A website is often the first contact between the company and its potential customers or clients for businesses and brands. However, a simple WordPress website won't cut it if you want to scale in today's changing digital world. 

This is where custom web development comes in. 

Custom web development is the process of creating a website from scratch that is designed specifically for your business and brand. 

In other words, a custom-developed website is not a "cookie-cutter" solution like many template-based or off-the-shelf WordPress websites are. Instead, a custom website is tailored to your specific business needs and goals. 

While custom web development may seem daunting and expensive, the benefits of investing in a custom website design far outweigh the costs. A well-designed, custom website will help you achieve your business goals, reach your target audience, and most importantly differentiate your business from your competitors. 

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What is custom web development?

With custom web development, the goal is to create unique websites or web apps, tailored to the specific needs of someone.

While some companies get along just fine with a WordPress pre-made website template or theme for their website, most will eventually need to invest in custom web development if they want to stay outmost competitive in the market.

Templates can help you save time and cut corners, but they can be clunky and challenging to customize.

What is custom web design?

Since you are creating a custom website, there'll be no copy/paste ready templates to use for your website. Doing a custom website means designing custom designs for it, naturally. You need to make sure somebody is doing the designs for you, which they'll send to the developers. Most web agencies don't deal with design, but at Ikius we have in-house designers working together with our developers.

What's the difference between developers and designers then?

Developers handle the behind-the-scenes functionality of a website, such as setting up server-side scripts to power dynamic content or managing eCommerce transactions. In short, web developers are responsible for making a website work. 

A good web designer will also have a keen eye for usability, ensuring that visitors can easily navigate their way around the site. Finally, while web designers don't need to know how to code, they need to communicate effectively with developers so that developers can bring the design to life. 

Why you need a custom developed website

Let's look at important factors that make custom web development an undisputable option.

It's great for complex websites

Custom web development will also allow you to scale your website as your business grows. If you start with a basic template or theme, you may eventually find yourself limited by what you can do with your site. However, once you've invested in a custom web application development project, the sky's the limit regarding what you can add to your site. 

Make your website uniqe

There are millions of websites out there, so it's essential to have one that reflects your specific brand and voice. An agency can build a website that meets all of your specific business needs. Whether you need an eCommerce platform or a way to showcase your portfolio, there's a custom solution for you. 

A long-term investment pays off

While custom websites and digital experiences tend to be more expensive than setting a WordPress website and calling it a website, it's still a better investment in the long run if you compare it with a traditional website that wasn't built to scale. A custom website design can scale with your needs, and if you make a modular digital experience using headless technology, you will future-proof your website for years to come. 

Deliver a solid user experience

A well-designed website should be easy for users to navigate and provide them with the information they want. With a custom web development solution, you'll be able to ensure that your website meets all of these criteria. You can create a visually appealing and user-friendly website with a professional developer. This will help improve the overall experience for users, which will, in turn, help increase conversion rates. 

It allows for better SEO 

Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for any website looking to rank highly on search engine results pages. A custom web development solution allows you to optimize your website for better search engine rankings from the start using better frameworks and content management systems. By working with a developer who understands how SEO works, you can ensure that your site is designed so that it will be more likely to rank highly. This will help you attract more organic traffic and ultimately grow your business. 

When do you need custom website development solutions?

You need a custom website if you: 

• You have a healthy budget

• You have very specific requirements

• You have an innovative product or service

• You want to create a unique digital experience

• You want to provide the best user experience possible

Getting started with custom web development

Here are some things you want to think about when starting your custom website:

• Think about your website goals: Start by defining what you want to accomplish with this web project. What's the scope, who is your audience, and how do you want people to engage with your website?

• Decide who does the project for you : Going for a custom website is a big commitment, so you might want to choose the right web agency, freelancer, or even in-house team who does it for you.

• Set a healthy budget for the project: Whether you decide to develop in-house or not, you need to set a budget for the development process. Your budget will dictate your web development project's features, functionalities, and scope. 

• Create prototypes and mockups: Remember, web design and web development are two different things, and some web dev agencies don't deal with web design. However, most web development agencies will ask you if you have prototypes or mockups of what you want or have in mind before. However, we have in-house designers that are ready to assist you from start to finish if you ever

Closing words: When is custom website development the right choice?

Custom website development allows you to create a unique website that meets all your specific business needs and will enable you to scale up as your business grows. By increasing efficiency, improving user experience, and bettering search engine rankings, You'll be able to reach new heights. 

Especially, it's a great option if you want a scalable website that integrates with modern platforms and third-party applications. 

If you're interested in getting started with custom web development, the first step is finding the right web agency, freelancer, or even in-house team to work with. At Ikius, we're a full-house agency spanning from all-encompassing design to development, with years of experience developing custom websites. Get in touch to get started with your new custom website!