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A custom website will help you make a strong impression. You can achieve bespoke designs and benefit from advanced functionality. But many website owners lack the time and/or skills to tailor the WordPress platform to their exact needs.
That’s why you might be better off hiring a custom WordPress agency. This way, you’ll get access to an entire team of WordPress specialists who can develop, design, and optimize your website. Better yet, many of these tasks are handled at the base level, using code rather than relying on existing third-party tools.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at agencies and the main tasks they handle. Then, we’ll present the best custom WordPress agency for the job. Let’s get started!
What is a custom WordPress agency (and why should you use one)?
When you decide to launch a website, you can either build it yourself, hire a freelance professional, or work with a WordPress agency.
An agency is an all-service solution that gives you access to an entire team of experts. It’s a great way to cover all areas of website setup and management including development, design, optimization, support, and more.
Specifically, a custom WordPress agency makes entirely unique websites. WordPress is a beginner-friendly platform, and you are able to customize it yourself using pre-built themes, plugins, or site builder tools. But these options aren’t always sufficient, especially if you have more complex needs.
The main benefit of using a custom WordPress agency is that these experts can make direct modifications to the WordPress source code. They can also manually add functionality via APIs or integrations, some of which can be tricky to configure.
Many agencies also take care of theme customization, performance optimization, and ongoing maintenance tasks. Even if you don’t require tailored solutions, a custom agency is still a great option if you lack technical skills or you don’t have the time to look after your site.
Six tasks a custom WordPress agency can handle for you
Now, let’s take a look at some of the main jobs that you might hire a custom WordPress agency to help with.
1. Create bespoke designs
WordPress themes enable you to insert pre-made layouts which you can customize using the built-in Block and Site editors. You can also install site builder plugins which can offer greater flexibility.
However, a custom WordPress agency can carry out heavy theme customizations or add cool new features to your site using third-party tools. They can also design websites from scratch using code to provide a more distinct look and feel.
2. Develop unique features or functionality
Although you can use WordPress plugins to extend the CMS platform, you may not find a solution for the exact functionality you require. Therefore, you can hire a custom WordPress agency to change how your website works.
This might mean tweaking the existing plugins. It might also involve developing custom plugins for your site. Or, proficient experts can make manual modifications to the WordPress core software and integrate third-party services.
3. Optimize your website for search engines
Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for driving organic traffic to your website. Although on-page SEO can be easy to learn and implement, some SEO best practices require technical knowledge.
Therefore, it makes sense to hire a custom WordPress agency to conduct in-depth SEO audits and make tailored recommendations. Typically, this includes strategic keyword research and implementation, server optimization, loading time enhancements, and more.
4. Provide ongoing maintenance and support
Managing a website can be a time-consuming task, and it isn’t something you can neglect following the initial setup. Website maintenance is an ongoing process.
A custom WordPress agency takes this weight off your shoulders by ensuring the smooth running of your site. This often means backing up site data, updating plugins and themes, and offering ongoing technical support.
5. Implement security solutions
The popularity of WordPress makes it a common target for hackers who might attempt to view or steal sensitive data. So if you don’t have the skills to secure your website, you’ll need a custom WordPress agency to make WordPress more resilient to security risks.
Following a comprehensive security audit, experts can implement tailored security solutions. This might mean installing a web application firewall, removing unstable plugins, or activating malware scans.
6. Enhance the default ecommerce setup
WooCommerce is the most popular plugin for transforming a WordPress site into a fully-fledged online store. And while it’s the leading ecommerce software available, you’re likely to end up with a generic storefront that isn’t suitable for complex or niche businesses.
Plus, setting up and maintaining an ecommerce website can be technically challenging regardless of your business type. You might require more specific functionality. Plus, you’ll face additional considerations like payment gateways and robust security measures (including data encryption).
If you work with a custom WordPress agency, you’ll get access to specialist ecommerce developers. This way, you can configure your store however you like. For example, they might set up any payment gateways (including API hosted and self-hosted options) for you.
On top of that, a custom agency can develop a seamless checkout experience (involving one-page and one-click options) to reduce cart abandonment. You can also go beyond the default menu templates available with WordPress themes. Instead, you can customize the navigation system to help customers quickly find what they’re looking for.
When to consider using a custom WordPress agency
Now you know more about the reasons to use a custom WordPress agency. But you might be wondering whether it’s the right time to hire experts to work on your site.
Here are some scenarios when it makes sense to hire a custom WordPress agency:
- You want a distinctive design that doesn’t rely on cookie-cutter themes and templates.
- You need advanced functionality built into the platform, without relying on existing plugins.
- You require an original yet lightweight website that delivers a fantastic user experience (UX).
- You want to capture highly relevant traffic from the search engine results pages.
- You want to minimize vulnerabilities and protect your site from malicious threats.
- You want more flexibility and freedom to configure your WooCommerce store.
- You need to seamlessly integrate your site with third-party services (that don’t offer a compatible plugin).
- You lack the time (and/or skills) to properly maintain your website and respond to technical issues.
- You wish to build a complex website (e.g. something more than a simple blog or portfolio).
If any of the above circumstances are true for you, choosing a dedicated WordPress agency should be your next step.
The best custom WordPress agency
As we discussed, if your goal is to set up a simple website, you may be able to do it without help. Depending on your skills, it is possible to handle certain tasks (like ongoing maintenance), especially if you’re willing to learn.
Aside from this, you might find freelancers who offer custom WordPress solutions including design and development. But there are lots of risks associated with hiring freelancers and you’re limited to the expertise of just one individual.
Therefore, the easiest way to ensure the smooth running of your website is to use a full-service custom WordPress agency like Freshy:
This way, you can set up a completely custom website that looks and functions like no other. You’ll also get access to a whole team of experts from top-rated designers and developers to optimization and security experts.
Better yet, your entire project will be overseen from start to finish by a project manager. They will help ensure that the website stays true to your vision and meets your exact needs.
Although you can hire Freshy for quick jobs like developing new features or troubleshooting issues, it also makes an excellent long-term option. For example, you’ll receive ongoing support and maintenance which provides total peace of mind, knowing your site is in the safe hands of trained professionals.
With over 15 years of dedicated WordPress experience, Freshy has worked on tons of website types and sizes across a range of industries like legal, healthcare, non-profit, SaaS, education, and more. And, you can check out an extensive portfolio and view past case studies to help you decide whether Freshy is the best custom WordPress agency for you.
Conclusion
A custom WordPress agency is the simplest way to obtain a totally original website that features exclusive designs, tailored security enhancements, advanced functionality, and more. These services enable you to access this level of customization without using pre-built themes and third-party plugins.
Although these options can be sufficient for simple websites, more complex projects can benefit from the flexibility and support available via agencies. Therefore, these groups of experts are ideal for anyone who doesn’t have the skills, technical expertise, or time to build and manage a custom WordPress website.
At Freshy, you’re paired with a dedicated project manager to make sure all work aligns closely with your business goals. We also provide a wide range of services including ecommerce development, plugin development, WordPress design, performance optimization, and more. Get a quote today to get started!
Featured image credit: Pexels.