How to Create a Custom WordPress Website: 4 Effective Options

WordPress is a flexible content management system (CMS), making it super easy to create a custom website – even if you don’t have any coding knowledge. However, there are several ways to go about it, and you’ll need to choose the right option based on your needs and experience. 

For example, if you’re a complete beginner with a low budget, you can purchase a premium theme or a page builder plugin. If you’re short on time and have more money to spare, you could hire a freelance developer. Whichever option you choose, having a custom WordPress website will help you create a unique online presence that aligns with your brand and goals. 

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the options available for creating custom WordPress sites. We’ll highlight their pros and cons, and offer guidance on who should consider each approach. Let’s get started!

1. Use the WordPress Site Editor

The WordPress Site Editor is a native feature that enables you to customize your entire site without coding. To access it, you’ll first need to install a block-based theme.

Then, you can go to Appearance > Editor in your WordPress dashboard to get started. The Site Editor lets you customize your footer, header, page and post templates, and more:

All you have to do is select a block (like an image, paragraph, or button), and insert it wherever you want on the page.

You can then use the available settings to configure its layout, colors, and more. You can even create templates from scratch. 

Pros of Using the WordPress Site Editor:

• No coding required: You can build and customize your website by simply dragging and dropping blocks.
• Integrated experience: Since the Site Editor is part of WordPress Core, it works seamlessly with the platform and ensures smooth updates.
• Wide theme support: More themes are becoming block-based, meaning you can fully customize different parts of your site with ease.
• Cost-effective: You don’t need to invest in premium plugins or tools, making this option budget-friendly.

Cons of Using the WordPress Site Editor:

• Learning curve: There are a lot of settings and options available, and it might take a while to get the hang of everything. 
• Limited flexibility: While it’s powerful, some advanced customization options might not be available without diving into code.
• Limited theme selection: Not all WordPress themes support Full Site Editing yet, so choices may be limited.

Who Should Consider This Option?

The WordPress Site Editor is perfect for beginners and small businesses looking for a cost-effective and straightforward way to create a custom WordPress website without delving into coding. 

2. Install a Page Builder Plugin

Page builder plugins enable you to create and design pages with a drag-and-drop interface.

Similar to the Site Editor, you can choose elements like text, headings, and forms, and add them anywhere you want on the page.

Popular page builders include Elementor, Beaver Builder, and Divi:

These builders come with a large selection of ready-made templates. You can also design your own and make advanced customizations with CSS code. 

Pros of Using a Page Builder Plugin:

• Full design flexibility: You can design your website exactly how you want, with many pre-built templates and customization options.
• Drag-and-drop interface: No coding knowledge is needed, making it accessible for beginners.
• Pre-designed elements: Page builders offer pre-designed modules like buttons, sliders, and galleries, saving you design time.
• Cross-theme compatibility: Unlike the Site Editor, which requires a block-based theme, page builders work with almost any WordPress theme.

Cons of Using a Page Builder Plugin:

• Performance impact: Page builders can slow down your website due to their heavier codebase.
• Learning curve: While these tools are intuitive, learning to use all features effectively takes time.
• Costs: Many advanced features and templates are only available with premium versions of the page builders, which can be pricey.

Who Should Consider This Option?

Page builders are ideal for users who want full control over the look and feel of their website but don’t have coding skills. 

They’re also suitable for small businesses and freelancers who need a quick solution to launch their custom sites, or require more advanced features than what is currently available with the Site Editor.

3. Choose a Premium Theme

One of the simplest ways to create a custom WordPress site is by purchasing a premium theme.

These themes often come with a wide range of customization options, enabling you to make your site look unique without starting from scratch.

You can find premium themes on marketplaces like ThemeForest:

Many free themes in the WordPress Theme Directory have premium versions. It’s a good idea to try some of them first, and if there’s a theme you like, you can upgrade to the premium version.

A premium theme will have a selection of demos and essential inner pages. Ideally, you’ll pick a theme that’s designed for your specific type of website or industry. 

For instance, you’ll find themes for fashion stores, e-learning sites, photography portfolios, professional services like accounting and counseling, and a lot more. 

Pros of Using a Premium Theme:

• Professional design: Premium themes are designed by professionals and often come with sleek, modern layouts and features.
• Customization options: Many premium themes offer built-in customization tools, including options for colors, fonts, layouts, and more.
• Support and updates: Premium theme developers typically provide regular updates and dedicated customer support.
• Cost-effective: Compared to hiring a developer, purchasing a premium theme is a relatively low-cost solution for a professional-looking site.

Cons of Installing a Premium Theme:

• Less flexibility: While you can make many changes, premium themes still have design constraints, and extensive modifications may require custom coding.
• Compatibility issues: Some themes may not play well with all plugins, leading to potential functionality or performance issues.
• Ongoing costs: Some premium themes require yearly renewals for support and updates, adding to the long-term cost.

Who Should Consider This Option?

Installing a premium theme can be a good option if you want a professionally designed site quickly but don’t want to invest time in learning a page builder or the Site Editor. 

It’s also worth considering if you don’t mind paying an annual fee for a theme that receives constant updates and improvements. 

However, bear in mind that if you ever decide to change to a different theme, you may need to rebuild your site from scratch. Even if you’re happy with the theme’s design and features, if it stops receiving support or develops a security vulnerability, you’ll likely need to remove it from your site. 

4. Hire a Freelance WordPress Developer

If you want a truly custom website built to your exact specifications, hiring a freelance WordPress developer is possibly the best option. 

A skilled developer can help you build your dream custom WordPress site, whether you need advanced functionality, complex design, or specific integrations. They may even create a custom WordPress theme for you, and build on existing WordPress plugins to expand your site’s functionality.

You can find WordPress developers on freelance platforms like Toptal and Upwork:

Remember to vet them carefully, and if possible, look at some websites that they worked on to see if they can help fulfill your needs. You’ll also want to make sure they have experience working specifically with the WordPress CMS.

Pros of Hiring a Freelance WordPress Developer:

• Fully custom solution: You get exactly what you want in terms of design, functionality, and performance.
• Scalability: A developer can create a site that is scalable so it can grow alongside your business.
• Support and maintenance: Many developers offer ongoing support and maintenance services, keeping your site updated and secure.

Cons of Hiring a Freelance WordPress Developer:

• High cost: Hiring a developer can be expensive, with prices varying widely based on the scope of the project.
• Time-consuming: A fully custom website can take weeks or months to complete, depending on the complexity of the project.
• Dependence on the developer: You may become reliant on the developer for updates and troubleshooting, which could slow down changes.

Who Should Consider This Option?

Hiring a WordPress developer is ideal if you have specific design and functionality requirements that can’t be met with pre-built themes or page builders. 

And if you have a large budget and long-term website needs, it could be the best option for you. A developer can help ensure that your ecommerce store is optimized for conversions and growth.  

Conclusion

Creating a custom WordPress website can be as simple or complex as your needs dictate. For instance, you might just want a one-page business site or a fully-fledged online store. Therefore, you’ll need to choose an option that can help you reach your unique goal, and which fits your budget.

To recap, here are four ways to create custom WordPress websites:

1. Use the WordPress Site Editor.
2. Install a page builder plugin.
3. Choose a premium theme.
4. Hire a freelance WordPress developer.

Every custom site needs a solid hosting plan to function properly. At NameHero, we offer WordPress hosting plans that are optimized for performance and enhance your website’s security. Check out our plans today!