Your website is often the first touchpoint potential clients have with your coaching business. When they land on your site, you want them to feel instantly connected to your approach, understand your offerings, and take the next step toward working with you. But before any of that can happen, you’re faced with a critical decision: should you invest in a website template or go for a custom design?
As a certified health coach turned website designer who works with coaches, I’ve seen firsthand how this decision impacts business growth. Website templates vs custom design isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about finding the right foundation for your unique business goals and stage of growth.
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Understanding Website Templates vs Custom Design for Coaches
Before diving into the factors that will guide your decision, let’s clarify what we’re comparing.
Website templates are pre-designed website layouts that you purchase, then customize with your content, colors, images, and branding elements. Think of it like buying a beautifully designed home—the structure is already built, but you can paint the walls, choose the furniture, and make it feel like yours.
Custom website design, on the other hand, involves working with a designer to build your online home from the ground up. Every element is tailored specifically to your business vision, brand, and strategic goals. Nothing is predetermined, giving you complete freedom but also requiring more investment of both time and money.
Both approaches can result in stunning websites, but which is right for your coaching business? Let’s explore the key factors you need to consider.
Factor #1: Your Budget Reality
The financial aspect is often the first consideration for coaches when comparing website templates vs custom design—and for good reason.
Website templates for coaches typically range from $97 to $997, with my Showit templates specifically designed for coaches and start at $395. This investment includes:
- A complete design framework ready for your content
- Mobile-responsive layouts (essential since most clients will view your site on phones)
- Design elements that resonate with your audience
- Strategically designed layout to drive visitors to take action
- Video tutorials to help you customize your site
In contrast, custom website design typically starts around $2,000 for very basic sites and can range up to $10,000+ for comprehensive designs with advanced functionality. My website in a day package offers custom design for coaches starts at $2,500 and include:
- A strategic deep dive into your business goals and dream client needs
- Custom, conversion-focused design that positions you as an expert
- Thoughtful user experience that guides visitors through a seamless journey
- Mobile-optimized Showit website that looks great on all devices
- Essential brand elements to create a cohesive online presence
- Detailed video tutorial so you can easily update your site
- 30 days of post-launch support to ensure everything runs smoothly
For many coaches in their first year of business, a template offers the perfect balance of professional design and budget-friendly. The money saved can be directed toward other essential aspects of growing your coaching business—like advanced certifications or client acquisition.
However, if you’re already generating consistent revenue and your website is a critical part of your growth strategy, the investment in custom design often pays for itself through improved conversion rates and a stronger brand presence.
Factor #2: Timeline and Launch Urgency
Whether you’re launching a new group program, promoting a challenge, or simply eager to attract your first few clients, your website timeline is a key factor.
With a quality template, your coaching website can be up in a weekend—especially if you have your content and images ready. Templates are ideal for:
- Life coaches pivoting from corporate to coaching
- Health coaches launching their first online offer
- Career or mindset coaches booking clarity calls
- Business coaches testing a new niche or package
Custom websites, on the other hand, typically take 4–8 weeks. This includes strategy sessions, design mockups, revision rounds, and final handoff. If you’re not in a rush and want a site deeply aligned with your brand vision, the longer timeline may be worth it.
That said, I offer a unique Website in a Day package designed specifically for coaches who want the custom experience—fast. In just one day, we collaborate 1:1 to create a strategic, fully customized 5-page Showit website tailored to your brand, offers, and ideal clients. It’s perfect for entrepreneurs who want the polish of custom design without the wait. I only take on 2 of these projects per month, so spots are limited!
But if you need something live ASAP (and still want it to look professional), a template can still be your fast track to a legit online presence.
Factor #3: Brand Distinctiveness in a Crowded Coaching Space
Let’s face it: the coaching industry is booming. That means your brand needs to stand out.
Templates—even beautifully designed ones—have limitations. Other coaches can buy and use the same design. You’ll customize it with your own brand elements, but the core structure is shared.
That might be fine if:
- Your niche is highly specific
- Your voice and content are your biggest differentiators
- You’re focused on validating your offer
Custom design, on the other hand, ensures a completely original experience. If you want to:
- Build a high-touch, premium coaching brand
- Create a user journey that mirrors your unique framework
- Incorporate unconventional design elements
- Lead with your values and vision visually
…then custom might be your best move.
Factor #4: Technical Comfort and Ongoing Maintenance
Your comfort with technology and desire for control over your website are important considerations that often get overlooked in the website templates vs custom design conversation.
Quality templates are designed with non-technical users in mind. The templates in my shop are built on Showit, a platform I specifically chose because it offers:
- True drag-and-drop editing (no code required)
- Visual editing that shows exactly what visitors will see
- Intuitive interfaces that most wellness entrepreneurs can learn quickly
- Comprehensive video tutorials for any customization you might want to make
This makes templates ideal for coaches who:
- Want complete control over their website content and design
- Enjoy learning new digital tools (when they’re user-friendly – if you can use Canva, you can use Showit)
- Plan to update their offerings or content frequently
- Don’t want to rely on a designer for every small change
Custom sites typically come with:
- Personalized training
- Detailed guides
- Optional maintenance packages
If you’re short on time or want to be hands-off, working with a designer for custom design and support may be the better fit.
This approach might be better if you:
- Have limited time or interest in website management
- Prefer to focus entirely on client work
- Need complex functionality that requires professional maintenance
- Value having expert support available when needed
Factor #5: Your Business Growth Stage
Perhaps the most important factor in the website templates vs custom design decision is your current business stage and growth trajectory.
Newer Coaches (0–2 years):
- You’re refining your niche, offer, and messaging
- You’re still building visibility and revenue
- You need a professional online presence fast
A template helps you look legit, test what works, and evolve as you grow—without a big upfront investment.
Established Coaches (2+ years):
- You’re attracting premium clients
- You’ve nailed your niche and method
- You’re expanding with new offers or team members
At this stage, custom design gives you a site that matches your business sophistication, converts better, and saves time with strategic automation and structure.
Factor #6: Functionality and Client Experience
Most templates today (especially mine!) can handle what most coaches need:
- Discovery call booking
- Freebie opt-ins
- Blog capabilities
- Social media integration
- Mobile-friendly design
But if you need more:
- Custom-built program portals
- Tiered membership content
- Detailed quiz funnels
- Interactive client dashboards
…you’ll likely need a custom site to support that level of complexity.
Think about how you serve your clients—and whether a template can support that experience. If not, it’s worth investing in custom functionality.
Factor #7: Long-Term Scalability
Templates can serve you beautifully for 1–3 years, especially if they’re designed with expansion in mind.
But as your coaching business grows:
- Your offers may shift
- Your brand voice will evolve
- You may need more robust systems
A custom website can be designed with scalability in mind:
- Future-proofed to evolve as your business does
- Modular layouts that can grow with you
- Back-end integrations to automate your workflow
The Hybrid Approach: Best of Both Worlds
The website templates vs custom design decision doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. Many successful coaches take a strategic hybrid approach:
- Start with a premium template to establish a professional online presence
- Invest in customization of key elements that differentiate your brand
- Gradually incorporate more custom functionality as your business grows
- Eventually transition to fully custom when your business justifies the investment
This approach allows you to:
- Launch quickly with a professional site that attracts clients
- Test your messaging and offerings before major investment
- Build revenue that funds your eventual custom design
- Learn what website elements actually impact your business success
I offer template customization services specifically for coaches who want that middle ground—the efficiency of a template with some of the uniqueness of custom design.
Making Your Final Decision: Website Templates vs Custom Design
After considering these seven essential factors, you’re now equipped to make the right choice for your coaching business.
Ask yourself these final questions:
- What can I realistically invest in my website right now?
- How quickly do I need to launch or update my site?
- How important is a completely unique design to my brand position?
- What specific functionality do my clients need from my website?
- Where is my wellness business headed in the next 1-2 years?
- How much do I want to be involved in maintaining my site?
- What will provide the best experience for my potential clients?
Remember that there’s no single “right” answer in the website templates vs custom design debate—only the best choice for your specific situation and business stage.
Many of the most successful coaches I’ve worked with started with templates and graduated to custom design as their business grew. Others invested in custom from the beginning because their unique methodology required it. Both approaches can lead to success when chosen thoughtfully.
Take the Next Step in Your Website Journey
Now that you understand the key factors in the website templates vs custom design decision, you’re ready to move forward with confidence.
Whether you choose a template from my shop designed specifically for coaches, invest in a fully custom website that perfectly captures your unique approach, or opt for a hybrid solution with template customization services, the most important thing is that your website effectively supports your business goals.
I’m here to support you at any stage of your coaching business journey. Book a free consultation call to discuss your specific needs and get personalized recommendations for your website.
Ready to build a website that attracts potential clients? Check out the Template Shop.
This post was all about website templates vs custom design for coaches. Understanding the pros and cons of each option helps you make the best decision for your holistic business at its current growth stage.
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