Website templates are among the most crucial resources for custom web design. They let users make significant changes to the look and feel of their website. Do you want a unique header on your home page? Done. An extra sidebar dedicated to your blog page? Not an issue. A distinct 404 page? You got it.
These days, companies who are just getting started or want to improve their online presence frequently customize their website templates by hiring a custom web design company. How does a startup create a template that is exclusive to its firm when every rival in the field already has a website? Understanding what templates are and selecting the right one is key to success.
What are Website Design Templates in Custom Web Design?
Let’s first talk about what web design templates actually are. Web design templates are, to put it simply, pre-made website layouts. These are readymade templates created by developers that assist you in setting up and launching your website quickly.
The primary reason why so many new businesses use themes is that they simplify custom web development. Furthermore, a large number of these templates are available for free or at a little cost. Furthermore, since few companies can truly afford the expenses associated with custom website design and development, templates work well as a substitute.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Templates in Custom Web Development
Nothing on the internet is ever completely risk-free. This also applies to using templates to create your website design. So far, it seems like a simple decision to use a template from the beginning. However, there are drawbacks as well that discourage companies from using them. It’s critical to understand the advantages and disadvantages of various templates to choose the best option for your company. Let’s start by addressing the pros.
Pros of Templates in Custom Web Application Development
In addition to what we’ve already discussed, there are a few more benefits of selecting web design templates for custom web design services to make the process smoother. Some of them include:
1) Save time and money
Using web design templates will undoubtedly result in time and cost savings. All you need to do is select the template that best suits the objective of your website from the pre-designed layouts. You’ll also save money because you won’t need to pay a professional to design the template for your website.
2) Get professional designs
You can access these available design templates online. Professionals who have built a variety of templates for various business websites designed the templates. It is similar to hiring a professional custom web design company when you utilize web design templates for your website because they are well-made and tailored to a particular industry or purpose. The only thing left to do is select the ideal template for your company website.
3) In-built responsiveness
One of the main benefits of using a template for your website’s design is responsiveness. Your website needs to be responsive and mobile-friendly since it needs to appear flawlessly on desktop, laptop, tablet, and mobile device screens. The responsiveness of web design templates is integrated into the design to display a website that works on a variety of devices. Because of this functionality, you won’t have to worry about whether the template you choose for your website will work well on the devices of your visitors.
Challenges of Templates in Custom Web Application Development
Although using web design templates has certain drawbacks, it does not imply that they are unreliable. Here are a few drawbacks of using web design templates you should know:
1) Lack of originality
Because the template is pre-built, there’s a chance your competitor will use it for their homepage or website as well. Having the same template as other business websites is another outcome of this. The content that you will add to the template will be the only thing separating you from the other websites.
2) Limited flexibility
This is the most common problem when using website templates. You may have a hard time adjusting or modifying your specified qualifications. As a result, you will just end up following the fixed configuration of the template.
3) Generic website image
Some template web designs are easy to customize by a custom web application development company. Other web templates are complex and it requires knowledge of photo-editing and website-building tools and coding. As a result, if you have no experience in web design, you may need to use the services of a professional in custom web development to customize and/or update your web template for you.
Selecting a template for your business website
It’s critical to select the ideal website template for your company because, realistically speaking, you don’t want to own something that you can’t use. It is important to select a website design for custom web development that complements your brand, advances your objectives, allows you to add the functionality you desire, and is acceptable for the industry you work in.
Here are a few criteria through which you can select the right template for custom web design:
1) Consistency with the brand
- Not every company has the funds to build a fancy website. Generally speaking, it is advised to start with free, editable templates from website builders such as WordPress, which is what I use. Themes, also known as templates in WordPress, are made available to users based on the plan they selected upon signup – Free or Paid.
- Free templates and themes frequently have a limited color scheme that might not match your brand or company’s identity. Of course, paid templates and themes offer greater flexibility, but not entirely. Some still have restrictions, such as what typefaces can be used and what layouts are acceptable. Therefore, it would be advisable to choose the template by consulting with a custom web design company to ensure consistency.
2) Matches website goals and design needs
- Your web design workflow will go smoothly after your website’s objectives and target market have been determined. You’ll find it simpler to choose the right content to add to your website template as well.
- Do you know anything about color psychology? It is the study of how different hues, shades, and colors influence people’s feelings, actions, and reactions. The template web design you select must meet your tastes and design requirements because of this. Engaging your audience and getting them to interact with your website will also be impacted by colors.
3) Enabled with desired functions
- The template you select needs to have the features you want on your website enabled or loaded with functionalities in addition to having a layout that works for you. Depending on the package a member has selected, WordPress themes come with an array of functionality tailored to a business’s requirements. With the use of a plugin or add-on feature known as widgets by custom web design services, these features are made available in the layout. WordPress has hundreds of widgets that may be used to create a wide range of functions, such as online shopping and automated newsletters. In a theme with a paid plan, certain widgets are free, while adding more features costs money.
Template vs custom web design services: Which one to choose?
A website created with pre-made web page templates is known as a template website. They are the foundation of websites such as WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, Shopify, and Weebly. Every day, the list gets longer. Mailchimp has also included a website builder of their own.
You or your online team often begin working with template sites by choosing a template, also known as a “theme” From there, you may modify the template to fit your business by adding your own text and photos.
Custom websites are created from the ground up without using any readymade layouts, in contrast to template websites. You can consider custom web application development to meet the unique requirements of your company. Almost unlimited design and development freedom is possible with custom websites.
A template site is the best option if you’re short on time and need your website up and running quickly. Template sites are typically launched in a few weeks because they are built on an established foundation. If you’re not in a rush to launch and would rather take your time, you might want to think about hiring a custom web application development company. As custom sites are created from the ground up, they require more time to plan and develop.
Without the help of a coder, updating your template site is usually rather easy with most website builders. Choose a website builder with an easy-to-use content management system (CMS) and excellent support if you want to update the content of your website regularly.
It’s not always the case that you’ll require a coder to upgrade your custom website. Inform your web team right away if you want to update content on your own. They’ll either create an admin area where you can simply update the material, or they’ll integrate an already-existing CMS like ProcessWire or Contentful.
Closing Thoughts
Today’s robust themes like Divi and website platforms like WordPress make it easier to customize website templates. Nowadays, it’s simple to modify templates to fit the demands and objectives of businesses needing a new website or considering redesigning an existing one. Ultimately, personalizing website templates should always be in line with a business’s branding or USP to achieve a distinctive edge in their industry.
Summary
Web design templates are amazing for developing a website. Read this blog to learn everything about custom web design templates for your site.
