Custom-made vs. turnkey website: which solution should you choose ?

Creating a website is a crucial step for any business looking to strengthen its online presence. Professionals generally have two options : a turnkey website and a custom website. But which one should you choose ?

This article offers a comprehensive, comparative, and detailed guide to understand the advantages, disadvantages, and use cases of each option to help you make the best decision.

You can also contact Devti Technologie, a web development agency, to assist you in developing your web project.

What is a turnkey website ?

A turnkey website is a preconfigured, optimized, and immediately usable web platform designed to accelerate the launch of a business.

Advantages

• Speed ​​to go live : A website can be up and running in just a few days.
• Low cost : Ideal for limited budgets.
• Ease of use : Often bundled with an intuitive CMS like WordPress, Wix, or Shopify.
• Pre-designed templates : no advanced technical knowledge required.

Disadvantages

• Customization is limited : Both design and functionality depend on the template.
• Less scalable : Difficult to add complex features.
• Risk of similarity with other sites : Little differentiation from competitors.
• SEO sometimes limited : The site structure is not always optimized.

What is a custom website ?

A custom website is a web solution developed from scratch, step by step, to precisely meet a company's specifications, under the supervision of an agency or developer.

Advantages

• Full customization : An original design and features tailored to your objectives.
• Scalability : Possibility of long-term evolution.
• Advanced SEO optimization : Clean code, custom structure.
• Improved user experience : Refined ergonomics with a carefully designed customer journey.

Disadvantages

• Higher cost : Significant investment compared to a turnkey website.
• Development time : Flexible schedule, from weeks to months, tailored to the complexity of your project.
• More technical maintenance : Professional support required.

Custom vs. turnkey website comparison

Cost

• Turnkey : From €200 to €2,000 depending on the platform and options.
• Custom : From €3,000 to €50,000 and more for complex projects.

Development time

• Turnkey : 1 to 10 days.
• Custom : 4 to 12 weeks.

Customization

• Turnkey : Limited to templates.
• Custom : Unlimited.

Maintenance & scalability

• Turnkey : Depends on the platform.
• Custom : Flexible but requires technical support.

User Experience and SEO

• Turnkey : Basic, sometimes limited in performance.
• Custom : Specifically designed to maximize conversion and improve SEO.

Which solution for which type of business ?

• SMEs/SMBs : A turnkey site may be sufficient to get started quickly on a limited budget.
• Startups : A custom site is better for differentiation and rapid growth.
• Large companies : A custom site is essential to reflect the brand image and manage advanced features.
• Nonprofits or personal projects : A turnkey solution is a practical and economical choice.

Competitor Analysis & Market Trends

By analyzing the market players :

• Wix, Squarespace, and Shopify dominate the turnkey segment with their simplicity and monthly subscriptions.
• Specialized web agencies like Devti Technologie or local agencies offer custom solutions with strategic support.

👉 The 2025 trend highlights the importance of UX and SEO : companies are looking for high-performance, scalable websites.

Tips for choosing the right digital solution

1. Define your objectives (showcase, e-commerce, platform).
2. Analyze your budget.
3. Consider the scalability of your project.
4. Plan for long-term maintenance.
5. Think about SEO and visibility from the design stage.

FAQ

1. Which solution is best for a limited budget?

A turnkey website is better if you want to get started quickly and at a lower cost.

2. Can a turnkey website be improved later?

Yes, but the possibilities are more limited compared to a custom website.

3. Does a custom website still perform better in terms of SEO?

Generally yes, because it allows for advanced technical optimization and a better structure.