Huh? My Website Looks Like Your Website!

As described on Wikipedia, a website template is “a tool used to separate content from presentation in web design, and for mass-production of web documents” - basically, web templates can be used by any individual or organisation to setup a website.

Having said that, there are many disadvantages using web templates, all of which influence the decision process when deciding what path to take. Let’s take a quick look at web templates, and why choosing one over a custom web solution can waste considerable time.

The number one disadvantage using a template is that your newly created website may look funky and dazzling, though it will look almost identical to anyone else who has purchased/downloaded the same template. For many people this isn’t a concern, however having a unique and custom website to suit your company’s brand is more than enough reasons to scrap the idea altogether.

Another major disadvantage is the coding behind the site. Many templates provided supply code that can only be referred to as nothing more than ‘sloppy’. You’re probably thinking to yourself “Code? That’s not my problem, that’s the developer’s problem!” Well, you’re right, but think of your website as a whole, think of the code, think of the content, think of SEO implementation, THINK of what’s going on ‘behind the scenes’ of all those pretty sounds and flash orgasms! In spite of this, the coding supplied will seriously hamper search engine optimisation and any necessary changes or additions. ‘Bad code’ means it may make it difficult to add basic elements or make any amendments down the track - thus leading in more time and more money spent - all of which could have been saved if you decided against choosing a web template.

Overall, templates can be a quick/easy solution to provide ready-made designs for your business, however taking such a shortcut will undoubtedly result in a boring and monotonous website, with more money being spent down the track to ‘keep up with the Jones’.