Do you need a website design that is completely tailored to your specific needs? Are you not happy with the templates that are available online? If so, then you may want to consider creating a bespoke WordPress website.
In this blog post, we will present the bespoke build process you should follow if you want to design a website from scratch that is perfect for your online business. Also, we will touch bases on customization and what are the costs to build sites using the WordPress content management system [CMS].
What's Bespoke Website?
A bespoke website is a website that is tailored specifically to your needs. It is not based on any existing templates, and it is designed and built from scratch based on your specific requirements. The design process for a bespoke site is usually much more than a standard WordPress site.
In most cases, you will have to work with a professional designer, developer or agency to create your vision.
Bespoke Page Benefits:
- Tailored to Perfection:
A bespoke website is designed exclusively for your business needs, ensuring it doesn’t just look good but functions seamlessly to meet your specific goals. Whether it’s custom layouts, unique features, or tailored user experiences, everything is built with your vision in mind.
- Unmatched Uniqueness:
Stand out in your industry with a website that is one-of-a-kind. Unlike template-based designs that risk looking generic, a bespoke site reflects your brand identity, making your business instantly recognisable and memorable to potential customers.
- Future-Proof Flexibility:
Say goodbye to limitations! Bespoke web design offers endless scalability, allowing you to easily add new features, redesign elements, or integrate advanced functionalities as your business grows. Whether it’s an eCommerce store, booking system, or interactive tools, your perfect website evolves with you.
- Enhanced User Experience (UX):
With a custom design, you can prioritise usability by creating a smooth, intuitive journey for your visitors. This not only improves engagement but also boosts conversions by ensuring your WordPress web meets the expectations of your target audience.
- Optimised for Your Goals:
A web developer strategically builds your website with SEO-friendly structures and customized call-to-action placements to achieve specific objectives, whether it’s driving sales, generating leads, or increasing brand awareness. Eg. if you're a law firm looking to get legal leads, a tailored site can integrate features like contact forms, live chat or resource downloads to effectively capture potential clients.
What is WordPress?
WordPress is the world’s most popular content management system (CMS), powering over 40% of websites globally. This free, open-source platform is built on PHP and MySQL, offering unmatched flexibility and ease of use.
Initially a blogging tool, WordPress now supports everything from small business sites to enterprise-level platforms, with countless themes, plugins, and customisation options to create a scalable, professional online presence.
Bespoke WordPress Website Process
1. Find the Right Fit
Start by hiring a professional WordPress developer or design agency with the right experience & WordPress training. Look for someone who understands your vision, communicates well and has a portfolio of bespoke WordPress projects. Building a custom theme requires expertise in design and development, so choose a partner you trust.
- Suggestion: Look for developers or agencies with case studies or testimonials that demonstrate their expertise in bespoke WordPress projects.
- Tip: Always request a discovery call to discuss your goals and assess whether their style aligns with your vision. You may check WordPress communities.
- Recommendation: Choose UK-based developers familiar with local trends and SEO practices, especially if targeting a UK audience.
WordPress Web Designers - Web Design Agency
a) Kota [£££]
Kota is a London-based agency known for its cutting-edge designs and bespoke WordPress development. Their portfolio includes visually stunning, highly functional websites tailored to businesses of all sizes.
b) Fit Design [££]
Specialising in user-focused designs, Fit Design creates WordPress websites that prioritise exceptional user experience and brand storytelling, making them a go-to for small and medium-sized businesses.
c) Reactive [££-£££]
Reactive is an award-winning agency that combines creative flair with technical expertise to deliver custom WordPress solutions. They excel in responsive designs and scalable development for growing businesses.
d) Together [££]
Based in Manchester, Together is renowned for its collaborative approach to web design, ensuring every bespoke project aligns with a brand's vision. Their WordPress solutions are modern, functional, and conversion-focused.
e) Plug & Play [£££]
Plug & Play offers streamlined web design services, focusing on speed and simplicity without compromising on quality. They specialise in crafting high-performance WordPress sites for eCommerce and corporate clients.
f) Propeller [££-£££]
Propeller is a UK-wide agency with a reputation for dynamic WordPress sites designed for luxury brands and high-end retailers. Their designs blend aesthetics with robust functionality.
g) Illustrate Digital [£££]
Illustrate Digital, based in Cardiff, is a WordPress specialist agency with expertise in delivering custom themes and technical solutions for businesses looking to elevate their online presence.
2. Planning
You will need to think about what kind of new functionality you need, what kind of design you want, and what kind of content you want to include. Also, make sure to consider your budget and timeline.
- Suggestion: Create a website goal sheet outlining your desired functionality (e.g., WooCommerce, blog, portfolio) and must-have features.
- Tip: Research competitors’ websites for inspiration and identify elements that work well.
- Recommendation: Use tools like Slickplan or MindMeister to map out your site structure and user journey.
3. Wireframing
Before diving into development, create wireframes to outline your website’s structure and user flow. Wireframes act as a blueprint for the design and functionality, ensuring all elements are logically placed and user-friendly.
- Suggestion: Use tools like Figma or Adobe XD to create interactive wireframes that can be easily shared with stakeholders.
- Tip: Focus on usability—prioritise critical pages like the homepage, product pages, or services sections during wireframing.
- Recommendation: Test wireframes with team members or users to get feedback before proceeding to development.
4. Development & Customization
With wireframes approved, developers start coding the bespoke WordPress theme, tailoring it to meet your specific requirements. This includes designing the backend framework and frontend elements.
- Suggestion: Ensure the website is built using a mobile-first approach, as over 60% of UK web traffic comes from mobile devices.
- Tip: Ask for regular progress updates to ensure the site is aligning with your expectations.
- Recommendation: Include performance-boosting plugins like WP Rocket for speed optimisation and Wordfence for enhanced security.
5. Mobile-Friendly Design
Design the website with your branding, usability, and audience preferences in mind. Bespoke designs allow for unlimited creativity while maintaining functionality.
- Suggestion: Keep designs clean and clutter-free for better readability and user experience.
- Tip: Use responsive design principles to ensure the site looks great on all devices and screen sizes.
- Recommendation: Choose high-quality visuals and fonts that reflect your brand personality.
6. Content
Adding engaging, SEO-optimised content is critical. This includes text, images, videos, and other media that align with your brand voice and resonate with your audience.
- Suggestion: Hire professional content writers to craft compelling copy tailored to your target audience.
- Tip: Optimise all images for web use to avoid slowing down your site. Tools like TinyPNG can compress images without losing quality.
- Recommendation: Create content that addresses your audience’s pain points and includes clear calls-to-action (CTAs).
7. SEO [Search Engine Optimization]
SEO services will ensures your bespoke WordPress site is visible to your target audience in search engines. From keyword research to technical SEO, this step is vital for driving traffic.
- Suggestion: Use SEO plugins like Yoast SEO or Rank Math to optimise metadata, URLs, and internal linking.
- Tip: Incorporate long-tail keywords relevant to your UK audience, such as location-specific terms (e.g., "bespoke web design London").
- Recommendation: Regularly update content to stay relevant and maintain rankings.
8. Test
Testing ensures your website functions flawlessly across all devices and browsers. This includes checking the performance of plugins, links, forms, and other features.
- Suggestion: Use tools like Google Lighthouse or GTmetrix to test website speed and performance.
- Tip: Conduct usability tests with real users to identify pain points in navigation or functionality.
- Recommendation: Ensure compatibility with all major browsers (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Safari) and devices, including tablets and smartphones.
9. Website Launch
Once all tests are complete, it’s time to launch your bespoke WordPress site! Ensure everything is configured, including analytics tools and social sharing integrations.
- Suggestion: Schedule the launch during off-peak hours to minimise potential disruptions.
- Tip: Announce your website launch on social media and email campaigns to drive traffic.
- Recommendation: Monitor traffic and performance metrics in the first few weeks to catch any post-launch issues.
10. WordPress Maintenance
Website maintenance is crucial for keeping your bespoke WordPress site secure, updated, and running smoothly.
- Suggestion: Set up a maintenance plan with your developer for regular updates, backups, and performance checks.
- Tip: Use tools like ManageWP to streamline maintenance tasks such as plugin updates and backups.
- Recommendation: Review your site quarterly to add new content, remove outdated information, and refine design or features.
Bespoke WordPress Theme
A WordPress theme is a collection of files that determine the design, layout, and functionality of a website. While there are thousands of free and premium themes available, a bespoke WordPress theme offers unmatched customisation and is tailored specifically to your business needs.
If you want your website to stand out in the competitive UK market, working with a professional web designer or developer to create a custom theme is the best choice.
Why Choose a Bespoke Theme?
- Custom Design: Tailored to your brand for a distinctive look and feel.
- Enhanced Performance: Lightweight and optimised for speed and SEO.
- Future-Proof: Easily scalable with new features as your business grows.
- Purpose-Built: Designed specifically for blogs, eCommerce, or corporate sites.
Key Considerations
- Purpose: Ensure the theme aligns with your goals (e.g., product-focused for eCommerce).
- Design: Reflect your brand identity with consistent visuals and user-friendly navigation.
- Customisation: Built to your specifications for maximum flexibility.
- Budget: Costs range from £4000+ in the UK, depending on complexity.
If you are not sure where to start, then we recommend taking a look at some of the existing websites and the best WordPress themes to get an idea of what is possible.
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Bespoke WordPress Websites Example
There are many great WordPress websites out there. Here are a few of our favourite WordPress works:
- Apollo - A leading provider of alternative asset management and retirement solutions
- Ruya - A multi-award-winning Branding & Design Consultancy with offices in Dubai, Buenos Aires & Madrid
- Nove - An advisory agency specialized in public affairs and communication based in Brussels
- PichiAvo - Dynamic and immersive design showcasing urban street art
- Moooi - An avant-garde design showcasing innovative multimedia and interactive elements
- Noma - Minimalist design for the renowned restaurant, emphasizing high-quality imagery
Bespoke WordPress Website Costs
The cost of a bespoke WordPress website depends on the design complexity, features, and customisation required. In the UK, investing in a bespoke site ensures you have a high-quality, scalable online presence tailored to your business goals. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect:
- Basic Website (1-6 Pages): £2,500 - £5,000
Ideal new website for startups or personal projects, covering creative layouts, WordPress web design and custom functionality.
- Standard Website (6-12 Pages): £5,000 - £10,000
Suited for small-to-medium businesses, offering enhanced & responsive custom WordPress design, premium WordPress plugins and many customization options.
- Premium Website (10+ Pages): £10,000+
Perfect for larger businesses needing advanced functionality, custom WordPress site integrations and technical support.
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Other Costs Starting a Website Project:
- Domain Name: £15/year
Your website’s unique address. Premium domains may cost more.
- Web Hosting: £10/month
Reliable hosting ensures fast load times and uptime. Consider managed WordPress hosting for hassle-free maintenance.
- Premium Plugins: £50 - £500/year
Add advanced features like SEO tools, contact forms, or eCommerce functionality for new WordPress websites.
- SSL Certificate: £0 - £100/year
It is essential for security and gaining customer trust; some hosts include it for free eg. Dreamhost.
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FAQ - Customizable, Lightning-Fast Websites
=> IS WORDPRESS FULLY CUSTOMIZABLE?
Yes, WordPress is fully customizable, making it one of the most powerful platforms for creating unique websites. You can modify every aspect of your site, from layouts and colours to advanced functionalities like custom plugins or integrations.
While you can make basic changes yourself, working with a professional web designer or developer - especially one familiar with UK trends - ensures your site is tailored to your exact needs. With thousands of WordPress experts in London and across the UK, help is readily available to bring your vision to life.
=> CAN YOU BUILD A WORDPRESS WEBSITE FOR FREE?
Yes, WordPress itself is free, open-source software, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious users. You can install it on your own server or use a hosting provider that includes WordPress. However, building a site for free has limitations and the cost you should consider are:
- Domain Name: £15/year
- Hosting: £50/year
To remove ads or unlock premium features, you may need to upgrade to a paid plan or purchase premium themes and plugins. While free sites are great for beginners, investing in bespoke features like professional themes or custom plugins enhances your website's performance and uniqueness.
=> CAN I BUILD MY OWN WEBSITE WITH WORDPRESS?
Absolutely! WordPress’s intuitive dashboard makes it accessible even for beginners. With thousands of themes and plugins available, you can create a professional-looking site without needing coding skills.
- Tip for UK Users: Choose hosting providers like SiteGround or Bluehost, which offer tailored WordPress packages, or follow online tutorials to guide you through the process.
For a more tailored website, partner with a UK-based web developer or WordPress website designer to save time and improve performance.
=> HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO BUILD A CUSTOM WORDPRESS WEBSITE?
The cost of a custom WordPress website in the UK depends on its size and complexity:
- Basic Website (1-6 Pages): £2,500 - £5,000
- Standard Website (6-12 Pages): £5,000 - £10,000
- Premium Website (10+ Pages): £10,000+
Additional expenses may include hosting, premium plugins, and maintenance. For businesses in competitive UK markets, a bespoke WordPress site is a valuable investment to stand out online.
=> HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO BUILD A CUSTOM WEBSITE?
The timeline for a custom WordPress website varies based on its complexity:
- Basic Websites: 2-4 weeks
- Standard Websites: 4-8 weeks
- Complex or Bespoke Websites: 8-12+ weeks
Factors like detailed design requirements, content creation, and testing can extend this timeline. Collaborating closely with your developer ensures the process stays efficient and meets your goals.
Conclusion
A bespoke WordPress website with a custom WordPress theme is the ultimate solution for businesses seeking a unique and high-performing online presence. By working with a professional WordPress development agency, you can create a site tailored to your needs, ensuring it stands out in competitive search results and delivers an exceptional user experience.
Whether you need advanced functionality, seamless integration with a page builder, or a design that reflects your brand’s identity, a bespoke WordPress site is an investment in your business’s future. With careful planning and expert guidance, your website will not only meet your goals but exceed user expectations, helping you thrive in the competitive UK market.
