Shoptet: The Most Popular E-Commerce Platform in the Czech Republic
Shoptet powers over 40,000 Czech and Slovak e-shops and is by far the most widely used platform for online retail in our region. One of the first questions every new e-shop owner asks is: should I use a ready-made template or invest in a custom design?
The answer isn't straightforward -- it depends on your goals, budget, and stage of business. In this article, we'll compare both options in detail. If you're just planning to launch your store, first walk through the whole process in our article Shoptet e-shop from scratch.
Shoptet Templates: Fast and Affordable
Shoptet offers dozens of pre-built templates that cover typical e-shop needs. Most are responsive and include basic features.
Template Advantages
- Low cost -- Templates are free or cost a one-time fee of $80--320
- Quick launch -- Your e-shop can be online within days
- Simplicity -- You can make changes through the admin panel without knowing code
- Regular updates -- Shoptet updates templates alongside the platform
- Proven design -- Templates are tested for conversions and functionality
Template Disadvantages
- Limited uniqueness -- Hundreds of other e-shops use your template
- Restricted customization -- Advanced visual changes require CSS/HTML knowledge
- Fixed layout -- Page structure is predetermined, major changes aren't possible
- Generic look -- Lacks personality and brand connection
- Limited UX optimization -- The template doesn't address specifics of your product range
When a Template Is Enough
A Shoptet template is a good choice if:
- You're getting started with e-commerce and testing the market
- You have a limited budget (under $800 total)
- You sell up to 500 products
- You don't need to stand out strongly from competitors
- You want to go live as quickly as possible
Custom Design: An Investment in the Future
A custom Shoptet design means a designer and developer create a unique visual and functional solution specifically for your e-shop.
Custom Design Advantages
- Unique look -- No other e-shop looks the same
- Brand consistency -- Design matches your corporate identity perfectly
- Optimized UX -- User journey tailored to your product range
- Higher conversions -- Design aimed at maximizing sales
- Flexibility -- Any layout, feature, or element can be modified
- Competitive edge -- Professional appearance builds trust
Custom Design Disadvantages
- Higher price -- Starting from $1,600
- Longer timeline -- Typically 4--8 weeks from brief to launch
- Updates -- Custom templates may require adjustments after Shoptet platform updates
- Vendor dependency -- You need a developer for complex changes
When to Go Custom
A custom Shoptet design pays off if:
- You have an established e-shop generating over $4,000/month in revenue
- You want to clearly differentiate from competitors
- Your brand has a defined visual identity
- You need non-standard features or layout
- Your current conversion rate isn't where you want it
Price Comparison
| Item | Template | Custom Design |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic design | $0 -- $200 | $1,000 -- $2,400 |
| Template coding | $0 -- $400 | $800 -- $2,000 |
| Feature customization | $0 -- $200 | $400 -- $1,200 |
| Total | $0 -- $800 | $2,200 -- $5,600 |
| Timeline | 1--5 days | 4--8 weeks |
What to Focus On in Custom Design
1. Homepage
The homepage is your e-shop's storefront. Custom design enables:
- A hero section with custom animation and CTA
- Dynamic blocks based on season or campaigns
- Personalized "recommended" or "bestsellers" sections
- A storytelling layout that builds your brand
2. Product Page
This is where the buying decision happens. An optimized product page includes:
- Large, high-quality photos with zoom capability
- Clear variant options (size, color) with visual selection
- Visible reviews and ratings
- Custom-designed cross-sell and up-sell blocks
- A clear "Add to Cart" CTA button
- Information on availability, shipping, and returns
3. Cart and Checkout
The ordering process is where e-shops lose customers. A custom checkout can include:
- One-step or two-step checkout
- A progress bar showing order status
- Trust signals (security badges, payment methods, ratings)
- Mobile optimization
- Cart upsells (accessories, complementary products)
4. Categories and Filtering
For e-shops with a larger product range, navigation is critical:
- Intuitive filters tailored to your product types
- Sorting options by parameters relevant to your industry
- Quick product preview without clicking through
The Hybrid Approach: Template + Customization
There's also a middle ground -- take a quality template and have it professionally customized. This approach offers:
- Lower cost than full custom ($600 -- $1,600)
- Faster delivery (2--3 weeks)
- Better look than an unmodified template
- Compatibility with Shoptet updates
Typical customizations include recoloring to brand colors, modifying the homepage layout, adding custom sections, and minor UX improvements.
How to Measure Return on Investment
Regardless of which option you choose, track these metrics:
- Conversion rate -- percentage of visitors who buy (Czech e-shop average: 1--3%)
- Average order value -- custom design with cross-selling can increase it by 15--25%
- Bounce rate -- percentage of visitors who leave without interacting
- Time on page -- longer time = better engagement
- Mobile conversions -- ratio of mobile orders to mobile visits
Example calculation: An e-shop with 10,000 monthly visitors and a 1.5% conversion rate generates 150 orders. If custom design raises conversion to 2%, that's 200 orders per month -- 50 extra orders. At an average margin of $12, that's $600/month extra. An $3,200 investment pays for itself in under 6 months.
Most Common Mistakes When Building a Shoptet E-Shop
- Neglecting the mobile version -- Over 70% of visitors come from mobile devices
- Too many categories -- Complicated navigation drives customers away
- Low-quality product photos -- Photos sell more than copy
- Missing trust signals -- Reviews, certifications, guarantees
- Slow loading -- Unoptimized images and unnecessary plugins
- Ignoring analytics -- Without data, you can't optimize
Conclusion
The choice between a Shoptet template and a custom design depends on your business stage and ambitions. For beginners and smaller e-shops, a template is a smart start. For established businesses with revenue that want to grow and differentiate, custom design is an investment with clear returns.
That's exactly why the cheapest option often turns out to be the most expensive one in the long run — we calculate this in detail in our article why a cheap e-shop is actually the most expensive one.
At LE ARTIST, we design and build custom Shoptet e-shops. We'll help you choose the right approach for your situation -- whether it's template customization or a full custom solution. Get in touch and let's take your e-shop to the next level.