Weighing the Pros and Cons of Web Design Templates
Less than 50 milliseconds…
That’s less time than it takes to read, “Less than 50 milliseconds,” and all the time visitors need to form an opinion about your website. The moment the page loads, 94% of visitors will decide whether or not they trust your website right away. And what will be the basis of their snap judgement?
Your web design.
Almost half (48%) of all internet users cite a website’s design as the number one factor in determining the credibility of a business. It is for this reason that your site must be appealing, easy to use, and easy to understand.
Unfortunately, not all of us are fluent in HTML. In fact, most of us don’t have a background in website development. Without this skillset, how can you design an effective website that accurately represents your brand while keeping internet users engaged?
This is where web design templates come in. Members of the cyber world have varying opinions on the use of web design templates. Some see them as a useful tool while others write them off as a cop-out. But no matter how you feel about web design templates, they’re everywhere. Here is a list of pros and cons regarding the use of templates in web design.
The Advantages of Using Web Design Templates
- Speed: You may not have the time to customize every detail on your website, nor do you have the time to take a coding class. When you use a template, your website can be up and running within a fraction of the time it takes to build a custom website from scratch. Even when hiring a professional web design company, it will take them much longer to build a custom website from scratch.
- Appearance: Web templates are designed by industry professionals, so they are guaranteed to offer clarity, functionality, and a professional look that appeals to users. Once your images and content are added to the template, you can customize it to your liking. Don’t feel like you are stuck with the basic style; instead, think of the template as a strong foundation for you to build upon.
- Usability: Pre-designed web templates often come with standard pages already built in, including “about” and “contact” pages. Other navigation links can be easily added and customized to help your visitor navigate the site.
The Disadvantages of Using Web Design Templates
The primary disadvantage of using a web design template is its limitations. The web template can only be tweaked to a certain extent. This means that customization is limited, so other sites on the internet may look very similar to yours.
You also have to be careful when selecting a template. Even if you find one that looks great, it might not feature the mobile responsive elements that modern websites require.
If you want a totally unique website that is customized to meet your specific needs, it would be wise to hire a professional web design company. You can discuss your requirements and special requests with a professional designer in order to create a more tailored site.
