Building your own bespoke digital prospectus sounds like total control, but more often than not, it turns into total chaos.
The idea is appealing—until reality sets in. High development costs, endless delays, a never-ending list of feature requests, and the looming question of who maintains it once it’s live.
On the other hand, Prospectus Plus offers a powerful, sector-specific solution that’s ready to go, without the headaches of custom development.
So, is a bespoke solution really the best option? Let’s break it down.
Comparison Table: Prospectus Plus vs. A Bespoke Solution
Prospectus Plus
Bespoke Solution
Development Time
Ready to launch in weeks.
12+ months (if you’re lucky).
Cost
Predictable, cost-effective pricing.
High upfront costs plus ongoing development & maintenance.
Flexibility
Fully managed, with new features added regularly.
Requires constant updates & maintenance.
Integrations
Pre-built integrations with education sector tools.
Custom-built (if you can get developer time).
Scalability
Always evolving, with new features included.
Every new feature costs more time & money.
Analytics & Lead Tracking
Advanced analytics & lead capture included.
Must be built from scratch.
Accessibility & Compliance
Built-in compliance with WCAG AA & GDPR standards.
You’re responsible for WCAG & GDPR compliance.
Sustainability
Runs on 100% green energy.
Potentially high server costs & carbon footprint.
Why Bespoke Often Fails
Some institutions are tempted to go all-in on a fully bespoke, custom-built digital prospectus. After all, why not create something from scratch that’s tailored exactly to your needs?
It sounds ideal. But in practice it’s arduous.
Most institutions seriously underestimate how long it takes to design, build, test, and launch a bespoke digital prospectus solution.
Briefing phase: 3–6 months
Design & development: 6–12 months
Testing & revisions: 3+ months
Launch & ongoing maintenance: Endless
That’s at least a year—if nothing goes wrong. And let’s be honest, something always goes wrong.
With Prospectus Plus, you can launch in weeks, not years.
Think custom development is a one-time cost? Think again.
A bespoke digital prospectus requires:
Initial build costs (tens of thousands, at least).
Ongoing maintenance (because software never stops evolving).
Developer time for every little update.
Hosting, security, and compliance costs.
Prospectus Plus eliminates these unknowns, offering a cost-effective, fully supported platform that grows with your institution—without draining
Want interactive features? Lead capture? Analytics? A mobile-friendly experience? Accessibility compliance?
Every single one of those must be built, tested, and maintained—forever.
Meanwhile, Prospectus Plus is already packed with sector-specific features, from personalisation tools to real-time analytics. Plus, we keep improving the platform—so you get new features without lifting a finger.
A bespoke digital prospectus solution isn’t just about launching—it’s about keeping it up-to-date.
What happens when a new accessibility standard is introduced?
Who fixes bugs when something breaks?
What if the developers who built it move on?
How do you keep it from becoming outdated in 3 years?
Prospectus Plus is continuously updated, fully supported, and built for long-term success—so you never have to worry about maintenance.
Most bespoke solutions start out simple—until someone asks, “Can we integrate this with our CRM?”
Then suddenly, you’re knee-deep in API documentation, compatibility issues, and developer costs.
Prospectus Plus is built for education marketing teams, with pre-existing integrations for CRMs, analytics tools, and automation platforms like Zapier—so everything just works.
Thinking about going bespoke? Let’s talk first.
Building a bespoke prospectus sounds like total control, but more often than not, it’s total hassle.
By contrast, Prospectus Plus is tried-and-tested. It’s a low-risk, high-reward tool for any marketing or recruitment team to implement. With Prospectus Plus, you get a sector-specific, feature-rich, and fully supported digital prospectus—without the development nightmare.
Why go through the pain of DIY, when the perfect solution is already here?
“I love Prospectus Plus! Using it for our Practitioners Guide 2025 has given us a resource that’s more engaging and impactful than any other format. You can tell it’s been designed with education in mind, and that makes a huge difference.”
