There is no doubt that website templates dominate the web design world today. It’s not hard to find a huge influx of companies offering “personalized” website templates. This sounds like a fantastic opportunity to grow your business at a low cost. Yes, if you have a tight budget, it may be exactly what you need.
The 5 Things You Need to Notice When Using Website Templates
However, in actuality, design templates obviously have their limitations and below I bring to you five key elements which show exactly why a website template is bad for your business.
1. One size doesn’t fit all
It’s almost 2017 now. Don’t you tell me that your visitors still have to do the “pinch and swipe” to get around your website? You’re not just frustrating your potential customers, you’re harming your bottom line (AND your reputation). Having a responsive design is no longer just a really good idea; it’s a must.
Recommended reading: Why Web Design is Important for Business?
2. You get what you pay for
You’re right! But, let’s think bigger! No pain, no gain. You get what you pay for. Why don’t you know that the templates are cheap because they actually look cheap?
Impressions matter. The first impression is much more crucial. You don’t cut sheets of paper into rectangles and write your business cards up by hand, do you? No one does that.
Well, the same can be said about templates. A website template suggests a lack of creativity and laziness and because of these, you won’t gain a positive response from first-time viewers. And as a result, your brand image can only suffer for sure.
3. Just like the others
How can you differentiate yourself from the crowd when wearing the exact same clothes as others?
Okay, your face may be a little different from the makeup you did on your own, but who cares when they just look at you in 3 seconds and then leave?
It goes the same with your website. Most people leave after just one glimpse at your site. So, to make them remember your website, you have to keep them interested and make the site absolutely unique which a template can not deliver.
Together with their generic titles, header image, and some ugly styled navigation, these features are distinctive enough so visitors instantly know that the brand didn’t invest in a custom design and chose an unprofessional solution.
If those perspectives don’t feel that you are really serious about your business, how can they purchase your services?
Recommended reading: The Importance of Custom Web Design for Your Business
4. No room for creation
Let me repeat again. There is not so much room for you to create with a template design. You have to use what is given to you. Sure, you can click a few things, copy a few paragraphs into a form, and add your content like images and text, but that’s hardly a customization feature.
If you simply share information about your company and maybe post a blog or two once in a while, a template site may be totally up your alley. But if you need the piece of your website to talk to each other, do cartwheels, or if you’re looking for unique layouts and structures, this may not be the best choice. A website based on a template will never be unique!
If you are ok with giving up some flexibility, a template is an ideal option for you.
5. Templates resist change
Time flies fast. Things change. People changes. No matter how awesome your website is, no one is going to be interested in it forever if it’s still the same with the passing of time.
To avoid looking outdated and old-fashioned, your site needs to be updated regularly. But with a template, when it comes to this situation, you might have to start rebuilding your website from scratch. It’s because when you use a template, you depend on a system created by someone else and it is a sure way to lock yourself out of their options.
And when you’re done, the business might lose to your competitors. See, being too dependent on others is always bad.
Conclusion
Deciding whether or not you use a website template for your business may be based on your time, budget, and value. However, in my point of view, building a custom website is still considered a smart investment and one that helps your business grow in the long run. To end this post, I just want to remind you that you always get what you pay for. No pain, no gain.
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