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What Can A Custom Web Design Created in Figma Cost (And Why Would You Want One?)

As a small or medium-sized business (SMB) owner, you may have found yourself weighing the options when it comes to web design. Whether you’re running a retail shop, a consulting business, or a local service, your website is one of the most important digital assets you have. However, the cost and time involved in creating a custom website often lead business owners to ask: “Why not just use a template?”

With tools like Figma becoming increasingly popular for custom web design, understanding the value behind these solutions and the costs involved is crucial for making an informed decision. In this blog post, we’ll explore what goes into a custom web design built in Figma, the costs you can expect, and whether or not it’s worth the investment for your business. We’ll also dive into the differences between a custom web design and a pre-built template, the process of turning a Figma design into a working website, and how to determine what’s best for your business.

Introduction: The Importance of Web Design for Your Business
What is Figma?
Custom Web Design vs. Templates: Pros and Cons
The Cost of Custom Web Design in Figma
How to Turn a Figma Design into a Working Website
When Should You Invest in a Custom Web Design?
Final Thoughts: The Value of Custom Web Design in Figma

What is Figma?

Before we get into the meat of custom web design, let’s talk about what Figma is and why it’s gaining so much traction in the design world.

Figma is a cloud-based design tool that has quickly become a favorite among web designers for its collaborative features, ease of use, and real-time design capabilities. Unlike older design software like Adobe Photoshop or Sketch, Figma is browser-based, meaning multiple people can work on the same design simultaneously from anywhere. This makes it particularly attractive for businesses that work with remote teams or freelance designers.

One of the key advantages of Figma is its vector-based design system, which ensures that designs are scalable and adaptable to any screen size. For a web design project, this is crucial since websites today must be optimized for everything from mobile phones to large desktop monitors.

In addition, Figma has strong integration capabilities, allowing designs to be easily exported and transferred into development environments such as WordPress, Webflow, or even static HTML. This is especially useful for custom web designs that require precision and a high level of detail.

Custom Web Design vs. Templates: Which Is Right for You?

When considering whether to go with a custom web design or use a pre-built template, it’s important to understand the core differences between these two approaches.

Custom Web Design (in Figma)

A custom web design is exactly what it sounds like: a unique design tailored specifically to your business needs, goals, and brand identity. With Figma, designers can create pixel-perfect layouts that reflect the personality and values of your business.

Pros of Custom Web Design:
  • Uniqueness: No other website will look like yours. It will be built specifically for your brand.
  • Customization: Every element can be adjusted to meet your exact needs, from user experience to specific functionality.
  • Flexibility: As your business grows, a custom design can evolve without the constraints of a template’s pre-set structure.
  • SEO and Performance: A custom design is typically better optimized for speed, search engine optimization (SEO), and user experience since it is built to suit the needs of your business and your customers.
Cons of Custom Web Design:
  • Cost: Custom designs are more expensive because they require more time and expertise to create.
  • Time: A custom site can take longer to develop since it involves more stages, from wireframing to final development.
  • Complexity: Depending on your project scope, converting a Figma design into a fully functioning website may require collaboration between designers and developers.

Pre-built Templates and Themes

A pre-built theme or template, often available on platforms like WordPress, Shopify, or Squarespace, offers a more affordable and faster solution for getting a website up and running. These templates are designed to be flexible but come with predefined layouts and design elements.

Pros of Templates:
  • Affordability: Templates are generally cheaper than custom designs, making them appealing for smaller budgets.
  • Quick Setup: You can have a functioning website in a matter of days (or even hours).
  • Pre-built Functionality: Many templates come with built-in features like e-commerce integration, contact forms, and blogging tools, which can save time.
Cons of Templates:
  • Lack of Uniqueness: Using a template means your website may look similar to hundreds, if not thousands, of other websites.
  • Limited Customization: While templates can be customized to some extent, you’re working within the constraints of a pre-designed framework. Major changes may be difficult or impossible without significant re-coding.
  • Performance and SEO: Many templates are bloated with extra code and features you may never use, which can slow down your website and negatively affect SEO.

The Cost of Custom Web Design in Figma

The price of a custom web design can vary significantly depending on the complexity of the design, the number of pages, and the level of functionality required.

Average Cost Breakdown:
  1. Design Costs: The design phase using Figma can cost anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000+ depending on the designer’s experience and the scope of the project. This price typically includes user interface (UI) design, user experience (UX) planning, and prototyping.
  2. Development Costs: After the design is completed in Figma, the next step is to translate that design into a working website. This can add an additional $3,000 to $15,000 to the total cost, depending on the platform you’re using (WordPress, Webflow, etc.) and the complexity of the features.
  3. Revisions and Maintenance: It’s important to budget for ongoing maintenance and updates. Depending on the scale of your website, this can cost $500 to $2,000 annually.

In contrast, using a pre-made WordPress template or Shopify theme might only cost you $50 to $300 for the initial purchase, with some additional costs for plugins and minor customizations.

Turning a Figma Design Into a Working Website

Once your custom web design in Figma is ready, it needs to be converted into a functional website. Here’s an overview of how that process works and the platforms you can use.

Step 1: Exporting Assets from Figma

Figma allows designers to export all assets (images, fonts, icons) easily. The design can be exported into formats like PNG, JPEG, SVG, and CSS code, depending on what the developer needs.

Step 2: Choosing a Development Platform

You’ll need to choose a platform to bring your Figma design to life. Common options include:

  • WordPress: A powerful and popular CMS, WordPress allows for extensive customization, particularly when using page builders like Elementor or custom coding.
  • Webflow: Known for its no-code design, Webflow is an excellent choice for businesses that want control over the design and functionality without needing a lot of coding knowledge.
  • Shopify: For eCommerce-focused businesses, Shopify is a robust platform that allows you to integrate custom designs with powerful eCommerce features.

Step 3: Development Process

In this step, developers take the exported assets and begin coding them into HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, depending on the platform. Some platforms, like Webflow, allow for easier direct integration of Figma files, while others (like WordPress) may require more custom development work.

When Should You Invest in a Custom Web Design?

For some businesses, a custom web design is essential. If your business depends heavily on your online presence—like an eCommerce site, a high-end service provider, or a company with a unique brand identity—custom design is the way to go. The investment upfront will pay off in the long term through better customer experiences, higher conversion rates, and a more professional appearance.

However, if your business is just starting out or doesn’t rely on unique digital features, using a pre-built template might be a better fit, allowing you to get up and running quickly without breaking the bank.

Final Thoughts: The Value of Custom Web Design in Figma

Custom web design built in Figma offers a level of personalization, flexibility, and long-term scalability that templates simply can’t provide. While it requires a higher upfront investment in both time and money, the end result is a website that uniquely represents your brand and is optimized for your specific goals.

If you’re a business owner who wants a long-lasting and flexible website that grows with you, a custom Figma design could be well worth the investment. On the other hand, if your business needs a simpler online presence and you’re on a tight budget, starting with a template may make more sense.

In conclusion, whether you choose a custom design or a template depends on your business goals, budget, and long-term needs. Both approaches have their pros and cons, but for businesses aiming to stand out in a competitive marketplace, a custom design is often the better long-term solution.

References and Further Reading

  1. What is Figma? A Guide for Designers – A detailed overview of Figma’s features and how it stands out in the design world.
  2. How Much Does a Custom Website Cost in 2023? – An in-depth look at the cost of custom web design, including breakdowns of the factors that influence pricing.
  3. Figma to WordPress: How to Convert a Figma Design to a WordPress Site – A guide explaining the process of turning Figma designs into WordPress websites.
  4. Figma Pricing Breakdown and How It’s Changing the Web Design Game – Insights into Figma’s pricing structure and why it’s becoming a go-to for web designers.
  5. Figma vs. Sketch: Which Tool is Better for Web Design? – A comparison of Figma and other design tools like Sketch, with a focus on usability and pricing.