In Orlando, most “web design” is a WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace template with an agency markup; a smaller group hand-codes custom sites. The difference shows up in speed, flexibility, ongoing costs, and who you actually talk to. Knowing which you are buying is the most important question to ask before you sign.
What “template” actually means
A template site starts from a pre-made theme that thousands of other businesses also use, then adds plugins for anything the theme cannot do. It is cheaper and faster to launch — but it tends to be slower (plugin bloat), looks generic, often carries recurring plugin and hosting fees, and hits a ceiling the moment you want something the template was not built for.
What “custom code” actually means
A custom site is built from scratch in code — these days usually Next.js and React. It costs more upfront and takes a bit longer, but it is faster, has no template ceiling, carries no forced monthly plugin fees on a basic site, and is built around your brand and goals instead of a shared theme. You own it outright.
Which is right for you?
Honestly, both have a place. A template can be fine for a simple brochure site on a tight budget. Custom code earns its cost when performance, a distinctive brand, room to grow, or e-commerce matter — which, for most businesses serious about their site, it does.
Questions to ask any Orlando web designer
- Is this custom-coded, or a template/theme? (You deserve a straight answer.)
- Who will I actually work with — the developer, or an account manager?
- Do I own the site, or am I renting it with monthly fees?
- How fast will it load on mobile, and how do you make it fast?
- Can it grow — custom features, e-commerce — without a rebuild?
Want the custom-coded alternative to Orlando template shops? See how I work with Orlando businesses — you talk to the developer, and you own what you pay for.