Developing a website to provide outstanding user experiences from scratch can be a challenging task. A brand must consider various parameters like navigation, responsive design, compatibility across different browsers, content management, branding, and more, along with an aesthetically pleasing layout.
This is due to 89% of customers moving to a competitor if the brand is offering a poor user experience. However, website development needs in-depth knowledge of web technologies, creativity, attention to detail, and customer first mindset – an absence of which could lead to difficulty in website development.
What if you could develop an outstanding website or blog without inserting coding? This can be done with website templates and using them will eliminate the designing process of the website from scratch. It comes with a pre-designed and well-optimized framework that leads to the launching of a professional website.
These templates are developed by expert designers that match with the latest design and development trends and best practices. In this article, you will learn the pros and cons of using templates in website design. This will help you to make decisions wisely for using the template to develop a website or blog.
Read: Checklist of Best Two-Factor Authentication Plugins for WordPress
What are Website Templates?
A website template is a pre-designed layout that provides the basic structure and visual elements for a website. Think of it as a starting point that you can customize with your content and branding.
Website templates are like ready-made houses that you can move into and decorate to make your own. They come in a variety of styles and designs, so you can find one that matches your needs and taste.
Here are some of the key benefits of using website templates:
- Saves time and money: Developing a website from scratch is not an easy task as it involves time and cost equally. Website templates provide a quick and affordable way to get a professional-looking website up and running.
- No coding required: Most website templates are drag-and-drop, so you don’t need to know any coding to use them. This makes them ideal for beginners and non-technical users.
- Wide variety of choices: There are thousands of website templates available, so you’re sure to find one that fits your industry, niche, and style.
- Responsive design: Many website templates are responsive, which means they will automatically adjust to look good on all devices, from desktops to smartphones.
When is the Right Time to Use Website Templates?
Whether or not to use a website template depends on several factors, including your budget, technical skills, website goals, and desired level of customization. Here’s a breakdown of when website templates might be a good fit:
Good use cases for website templates:
- Starting a new website quickly and affordably: Templates are much cheaper and faster than custom development, making them ideal for launching basic websites for small businesses, portfolios, or personal projects.
- Limited technical skills: Most templates are beginner-friendly, with drag-and-drop interfaces and minimal coding required. This makes them accessible to non-technical users.
- The website represents a familiar niche: If your website needs align with a common industry or purpose (e.g., restaurant, photographer, blog), many templates cater to your specific needs.
- Prioritizing functionality over unique design: If core functionalities like contact forms, galleries, or online stores are your focus, templates offer pre-built solutions.
Situations where templates might not be ideal:
- Need for a highly customized, unique design: Templates offer limited design flexibility, and your website might look similar to others using the same template.
- Complex functionalities or integrations: If your website requires special features not offered by templates, custom development might be necessary.
- The desire for complete control and future scalability: Templates can limit future modifications, while custom development offers more control and flexibility.
- Large budget and high expectations: If you have the resources and desire for a truly one-of-a-kind website, investing in custom development might be better.
Read: SSL Certificate and Types of SSL Certificates: Complete Guide
Pros of Using Templates in Website Design
Using website templates for design offers several advantages, particularly for those starting or looking for an efficient solution. Here are some key pros:
Time and Cost Savings:
- Templates are pre-built layouts, eliminating the need to start from scratch, and saving significant time and effort compared to custom design.
- They are generally much cheaper than custom designs, making them ideal for budget-conscious individuals and businesses.
Ease of Use:
- Many templates come with drag-and-drop interfaces and require minimal coding knowledge, making them accessible even for non-technical users.
- Built-in features like contact forms, galleries, and shopping carts save time and effort on implementation.
Professional Design:
- Templates are created by professional designers, offering a polished and visually appealing website look without the expertise required for custom design.
- A wide variety of choices means finding a template that aligns with your industry, niche, and desired style.
Responsive Design:
- Many templates are responsive, automatically adjusting to different screen sizes and devices, and also ensuring a positive user experience across platforms.
Consistency and Maintainability:
- Templates help to maintain consistent design and layout across your website, resulting in a professional and organized appearance.
- Some platforms offer easy content updates without complicated coding, simplifying maintenance.
Starting Point for Customization:
- While not as flexible as custom design, most templates offer options for basic customization like colors, fonts, and logos, allowing you to tailor the site to your brand identity.
Reduced Risk:
- With pre-built structures and functionalities, templates minimize the risk of technical issues or design flaws often encountered in custom development.
Finding Inspiration:
- Browsing templates can spark creative ideas and help you to define your desired website style and features.
Read: Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a Reseller Hosting Business
Cons of Using Templates in Website Design
While website templates offer numerous advantages, they also come with downsides that you should consider before making a decision. Here are some key cons to be aware of:
Lack of Uniqueness:
- Templates are widely available, so you face the risk of your website looking similar to others using the same template. This can hinder your brand identity and make it harder to stand out from competitors.
Limited Customization:
- While offering some customization options, templates generally restrict how much you can modify the design, layout, and functionalities. This can limit your ability to achieve a truly unique and personalized website experience.
Bloated Code:
- Templates often include pre-built elements you may not need, leading to unnecessary code that can slow down your website’s loading speed and negatively impact SEO.
Limited SEO Optimization:
- Templates might not prioritize search engine optimization (SEO) elements like clean code structure, meta descriptions, and mobile responsiveness. This will decrease the performance of your website.
Support Limitations:
- Template providers may offer limited support, leaving you responsible for technical issues or troubleshooting unexpected problems.
Potential Ownership Issues:
- Depending on the licensing terms, some templates might restrict your full ownership and control over the website’s design and content.
Long-Term Growth Hindrance:
- Templates might not be scalable for future growth in features, functionalities, or content, requiring a redesign later down the line.
Creative Restrictions:
- Templates can limit your creative freedom and ability to fully express your brand personality and message through design.
Hidden Costs:
- While initially cheaper, additional customization, support, or development needs beyond the template’s limitations may lead to unforeseen costs down the line.
Security Concerns:
- Free or low-cost templates might have hidden security vulnerabilities, putting your website and user data at risk.
Conclusion
Templates in web design: a blessing or a curse?
Are templates stifling creativity or giving it wings in web design? Check our latest blog post as we weigh both sides of the coin.