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Why Web Design Templates Aren't the One Size Fits All Solution

August 25, 2022

Given how saturated the market for website templates is, it’s only natural that a lot of people think they are a good solution for creating websites fast and cheap. While they can be a useful resource for some designers or people looking to get started quickly, not every one fits all solution will work for your business.

User interface experience design; vector graphics
Website Templates

Do you know why there are so many different clothing sizes? Because no one is the same. We come in all different shapes, sizes and with unique preferences. That’s also why one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to making clothes.

This same logic applies to websites. There aren’t just one size fits all solutions to creating a website; everyone has their own needs and preferences that need to be taken into account.

Let’s take a look at why web design templates are not always the best option, as well as what you should look out for if you do decide to use them.

They’re often not responsive

One of the most important factors to consider when building a website is how it will look on all devices. This includes desktops, tablets, and mobile devices too. It’s impossible to know how many people will be viewing your site on which device, so it’s important to make sure that your website is responsive and that it looks good on all devices. In fact, Google actually updates its algorithm to take into account if a site is mobile-friendly. It’s become such a big deal that if your site isn’t mobile-friendly it can actually end up lowering your chances of appearing in the search results altogether. But, if your website is built with a template, there’s a good chance it won’t be responsive. Responsive design isn’t part of the majority of web design templates, so you’ll need to be extra careful when choosing a template.

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Your customization options are often limited

You might think that since web design templates are designed to be used by lots of different people, they must be super customizable. While it’s true that templates are designed to be edited and used by different people, it’s also true that not all of them allow for a lot of customization. In fact, some templates are so specific that you can’t even change the colors of the design. Even if you can edit the colors or design of a template, you might find that your options are limited to just a couple of colors or designs that are already available. This can be a problem if your business or industry has specific color schemes or other design elements you want to incorporate. If your template doesn’t allow you to include these design elements, you’ll have to decide between creating something that doesn’t feel like your brand or finding a different template.


They can be very DIY and difficult to edit

Another potential issue with using web design templates is that they can be very DIY. In fact, there are some templates where you have to manually code all of the content on the website. This can make it difficult to edit your website in the future, especially if you don’t have a background in coding and website design. It’s also easy to make simple mistakes when coding a website from scratch that you won’t catch until you try to publish it or look at the source code. These things can be corrected as you go along and learn more about coding, but if you’re in a rush to launch your website and you don’t have the time or patience to learn how to code, they could cause issues down the road.

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Templates lack uniqueness

Since so many people have used the same template, it’s very likely that your site will look very similar to dozens, if not hundreds, of other websites. This could be a big turn-off for potential clients. People will usually go with a company that has a unique design, as that’s a sign that they are more creative and have more imagination than the dozens of others who look like they copied their design. You might think that you can overcome the lack of uniqueness with your content, but web design templates can also come with pre-written articles that you might want to edit and change. This makes it even more difficult to create a unique website that is tailored to your brand.


A custom design might be a better option

Depending on your needs and budget, it’s possible that a custom design might be a better option than web design templates. A custom design will allow you to create a website that looks and feels like your brand, and is built to be responsive and unique. It’s also possible to get a custom design done relatively quickly. It’s important to remember that not only are web design templates not a one size fits all solution, but they might not be the best option for you and your business. Before diving in, make sure you know what you’re getting into and that it will work for your needs.

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Conclusion

Are they a good solution for creating websites? Yes, but only if you’ve done the research and know what you’re getting into. It’s important to remember that not all web design templates are created equal. You’ll need to do your research and find the ones that are best for you and your needs. The good thing is that there are more and more tools and resources that can help you find the perfect template for your website. Hopefully, this article has provided you with some information you need to know so that you can make an informed decision. Now it’s up to you to decide what the best option is for you. And with that, you’re ready to find the perfect web design template for your website. Whether you decide to go with a web design template or decide to create your site from scratch, it’s important to remember that no two websites are the same. Each website needs to be unique and tailored to the business or brand behind it. Now it’s time to get to work creating the perfect website.

Author
Martin Besenyi
Graphic Designer, Web Developer

Martin has been working as a graphic designer for a looooong time now and wanted to expand his knowledge even further. That's when he discovered Webflow.

Everybody around him can tell that he and Webflow became best friends because he is glued to his computer, creating more and more websites.

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