The Right Website is Key to Success
If you’re a multifamily owner or property manager, you know that your website isn’t just a digital brochure—it’s your first impression, lead generator, and 24/7 leasing agent.
In today’s competitive market, an effective website isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. But should you go for a custom website design vs template site for multifamily or apartment websites?
That’s where we come in. With experience in both custom and templated sites, we’re here to break down the pros and cons of each to help you make the best decision for your business.
Custom Website Design vs Template Explained
When choosing how to build your website, one of the biggest decisions is whether to go with a template vs. custom website. Each option has its pros and cons, depending on your business goals, budget, and design needs. Before we break down the differences, let’s define what each term means:
Custom Website Design – Built from the ground up, a custom site is designed specifically for your business’s needs, branding, and functionality.
Template Website – Uses a pre-designed framework that can be customized to an extent, but follows set design and functionality parameters.
Custom Website Design: Pros & Cons
Pros of a Custom Website Design
- Tailored to Your Property – No unnecessary features, just exactly what you need.
- Fully Customizable – You get complete control over design, layout, and functionality.
- Better SEO Optimization – Built to maximize search engine rankings.
- Seamless Integrations – Works with the specific property management tools you use.
- Scalability – Can grow and evolve as your business expands.
- Unique One-Of-A-Kind Design – Ensures your website looks and feels distinct from competitors.
Cons of a Custom Website Design
- Higher Cost – Custom means a bigger upfront investment.
- Time-Intensive – Design and development from scratch comes with a longer time frame.
- Requires Professional Help – Most people can’t DIY a custom site; you’ll need experts for design, development, and marketing.
Want to see what a custom website can do? Check out some of our work:
See Custom Websites in Action
Template Websites: Pros & Cons
Pros of a Template Website
- Faster to Launch – Since the structure is already in place, setup is quicker.
- More Affordable – A budget-friendly option compared to custom builds.
- Pre-Designed for Your Industry – Apartment-specific templates help get you started on the right foot.
Cons of a Template Website
- Limited Customization – You’re somewhat confined to what the template allows (although at Brindle, our templates are still customizable!).
- Less Unique – Other properties might be using the same design.
Why Bluprint Website Templates Break the Mold
With all of that in mind, it’s easy to understand why custom website design vs template design can be such a hard decision.
Traditionally, template websites come with major limitations—but Bluprint apartment website templates are a game-changer. We’ve designed our templated sites to overcome the typical drawbacks and provide a high-performing, professional solution for multifamily businesses.
- User Experience & Navigation – Our templates prioritize clear CTAs, intuitive layouts, and a seamless user journey.
- Essential Features – Built-in virtual tours, floor plan galleries, and resident portals ensure functionality is top-tier.
- Design & Branding – Our templates leave room for your community’s personality with custom fonts, watermarks, patterns, and more.
- SEO & Local Optimization – Designed with SEO best practices to boost rankings and capture local search traffic.
- Lead Generation & Conversions – Our templates support chatbots, lead forms, and CRM connectivity for streamlined leasing.
- PMS & CRM Integrations – Seamless connectivity with property management software such as Yardi RentCafe, Entrata, and Rent Manager to ensure your sites are updates automatically with the latest avialability information.
- Best-in-Class Integrations – Works smoothly with touring and scheduling software, chat bots, Engrain SightMaps, and many other custom integrations!
- Mobile & Performance Optimization – Fast, responsive, and designed for renters searching on the go.
Explore Our Templated Websites for Apartments
See our templated multifamily site options in action: Browse Our Templated Sites
Custom Website Design vs Template: Which is Best for You?
At the end of the day, the right website is the one that aligns with your business needs. If you need a unique, scalable, and highly functional solution, a custom website design is the way to go. If you need something quick, cost-effective, and user-friendly, a template website might be your best bet.
Still not sure? Let’s talk through custom website design vs. template design! Schedule a free consultation with the Brindle team to explore the best website solution for your multifamily business.
