Maximise Growth | Why Should Australian Startups Opt for Custom Websites?
Custom Websites for Australian Startups
The digital behaviour of Australian consumers tells a compelling story about the future of business success. Consider this:
53% of shoppers never make a purchase without conducting detailed research first (Google), while an impressive 52.8% of Australians engage in online transactions weekly. (REDSEARCH)
Perhaps most tellingly, 76% of smartphone users who search for local businesses convert into in-person visitors within a day. These statistics paint a clear picture—digital presence directly influences real-world business success (Google).
For Australian startups navigating the competitive landscape, these numbers underscore a critical truth: a well-crafted online presence isn't merely a digital shopfront—it's a powerful tool for growth, credibility and customer engagement. In today's market, it's not just a catalyst for growth but often a necessity for survival. While a template-based website might serve as an initial stepping stone for those with limited budgets, it falls short as a long-term growth strategy. However, not every business owner is martech savvy, hence this article answering the question: How can startups leverage custom websites to capitalise on these consumer behaviours?
However, not every business owner is martech savvy, hence this article answering the question: How can startups leverage custom websites to capitalise on these consumer behaviours?
Getting that Competitive Edge in the Australian Market
According to Statistica, Australia stands as the 11th leading country for startups worldwide in 2024. The Australian economy boasts 2,662,998 actively trading businesses as of 30 June 2024 (ABS), with notable movement in 2023-24: a 2.8% growth (73,125 businesses), comprising a 16.8% entry rate (436,018 entries) and a 14.0% exit rate (362,893 exits). This clearly indicates the Australian startup landscape's extreme competitiveness, where success isn't guaranteed.
Leading countries for startups worldwide in 2024, by total score
Very important factors contributing to startup success or failure, from a business marketing point of view, include:
Marketing strategy based on research. Classic research on the 4 Ps (Product, Price, Place, and Promotion).
Digital marketing based on research and testing, leveraging marketing research + additional digital research on competitors and audience (this is where it's best to engage a digital agency).
Leveraging the right technology, instead of following "trends".
If you intend to invest in digital marketing, a custom website is the best option.
The Advantages of Custom Websites
Website is the foundation of your digital presence. Businesses with robust foundation tend to perform well in long-term. If you are planning to build a brand that have lasting impression, it should first represent in your website.
Template-based websites are fast to develop, however, with technological limitations you can’t go far with that one. Moreover, custom websites are designed to help your brand maintain consistency across all platforms.
- Consistent brand presentation across all platforms increases revenue by up to 23 percent. (Forbes)
Let’s dive into the key advantages of custom website:
Tailored Branding
In the digital crowd, people opt for businesses who can provide value and deliver consistency in their products or services.
- 81% of consumers say that trust in a brand is a deciding factor in their purchasing decisions (Edelman Trust Barometer, 2023).
To showcase it with the help of digital branding, a website with research-based UX is crucial. Customised website gives you freedom of following your brand identity, adding additional features, enhancing and maintaining website performance with seamless coding.
Tailored branding elevates yourself from competitors and a well-crafted website is pivotal for brand’s strong online presence.
High-quality visuals, content, security, and effortless navigability are contributing factors to instil trust and credibility.
Scalability
A small Australian startup of today would want to grow and become a brand that people prefer. With growth, digital presence will expand and website should have adaptability for the growth. Website built using ready-to-use template has limitations to scale beyond certain limits.
For instance, you can add pages, images, and other content in template-based website. However, adding interactive elements and customised features won’t be possible. Investing mindfully in custom website will save you from future hustle of redesigning your entire website.
Below are the reasons why you should select scalable website:
Scalable websites are proved as cost efficient as business grow.
Quickly adaptable according market changes and seasonal requirements.
Startups can easily integrate third-party tools and integrations.
Efficient content management can be carried out with scalable websites.
Tailored UX
User Experience (UX) from website is considered as primary factor for a successful website. Businesses are focusing on innovative approach by customising UX according to brand identity and user journey.
- According to Australian Bureau of Statistics, In the two-year period ended 30 June 2023, under half of all businesses (46%) reported being innovation-active.
We can clearly conclude from stats that Australian businesses have identified the importance of being innovative, which, a tailored UX can help.
Customised website has flexibility to test different scenarios according to target audience, which is helpful in delivering flawless website. Moreover, startups can reduce complexities and make website UX simple, responsive and seamless.
Enhanced Security Measures
Website developers have space to develop website that has advanced security features, which can be compromised with template-based websites. Businesses with higher online visibility prefer custom website because of advanced encryption techniques a custom website can offer.
- Around the world, a data breach cost $4.88 million on average in 2024. (IBM, Data Breach Report)
It is proven that data security is a global issue. Hence, businesses are safe-guarding data security to protect customer data and their credibility, which, in turn, can cause monetary damage.
In Invicti survey, they asked respondents whether they had any concerns about the security of the online shops they buy from. Here are the results.
Consumers considers their personal information security as top priority. (Invicti)
Thus, eCommerce startups emphasise on security because it is paramount to protect customer data. A data breach or malicious attack can have disastrous consequences such as incurring huge financial losses or, even worse, suffer from a data compromise.
READ ALSO: Why SSL is Crucial for Your eCommerce Website?
Higher SEO Performance
Custom websites allow to develop site architecture according to target audience, which is a positive signal to enhance website’s search engine presence. With full control over code quality and speed, businesses have competitive edge.
Search engine experts often recommend custom websites because they can have flexibility to tweak technical points according to website’s performance in search engine.
- 60% of smartphone users have contacted a business directly using search results. (Think with Google)
With that in mind, it is crucial for startups to consider custom website as a long-term investment for better online visibility.
Choosing the Right Web Design Partner
When opting for custom websites for startups, the first step is to select a web design partner who totally understands your brand value, scope of work, desired functionalities, security measures, and level of customisation.
It is always advisable to go for a web design company with a high level of technical skills, deep experience in this field, an accomplished portfolio of successfully completed websites, and a workable partner with effective communication skills.