The use of templates in web design has been a controversial topic for quite some time now. Many web developers believe that templates are evil shortcuts that are used to reduce the time it takes to create a website. While it is true that web design experts (such as Expedition Co.) tend to give you that personalized touch for your website, a template isn’t all that bad!
So, why are templates so controversial? Well, for one, they are often used for free, which is good for the users but bad for the developers. Most templates, if not all, come with a set of default styles, and the developer has no say over how they look. With the templates, it’s easy to end up with a page that looks exactly the way you wanted it to look, but without the necessary coding, it is quite difficult to override the styles.
Every time someone makes a new website, it’s very common that they have the same “template-style” website designs. Templates are a great starting point, but they’re not the only way to go. Every designer has their own way of doing things.
What are templates?
Templates are an easy and convenient way to design websites. You can use the same template to make many sites or specifically design a site for a single purpose. Templates are also a way to make a business look great, without having to learn skills like how to code for different browsers and platforms. Templates are a great tool for beginners because they allow them to have a website up and running faster than if they had to code each page by hand. However, they aren’t best suited for advanced users because templates aren’t flexible enough to adapt to changes.
Every website you’ve ever heard of probably uses a template-be it HTML or WordPress-to create its site. Templates are a design tool that makes web development easier and reduces the time it takes to build a website. Moreover, these templates could be easily available online for designers to use and develop a website quickly. You can Click here to see examples of workflow templates to craft a modern, easy-to-navigate website and accordingly purchase one that fits your firm’s concept. You could also get customized designs based on your business industry, such as for carpenter, nutritionist, plumbing, night club, IT and tech, corporate, and more.
Here are some of the reason’s why templates aren’t bad to use when making a website:
- When you are on a low budget
The internet is full of cheap templates that you can buy and use to make beautiful websites in no time. I mean, they are super easy to use, and you can do all the hard stuff later like managing the theme design. The templates are so easy to use, and you don’t need to know HTML or any of that other complicated stuff. Simple.
- When you have a limited amount of time
It’s easy to forget that when you are building a website, you are actually creating your own website’s template as well. While you may use a couple of prebuilt templates to make your life easier, templates can also be used to build your site at a much faster pace. You can even take your existing content and use it in a template to speed up your workflow even more.
- When you need a proven design
It’s no good designing a website that doesn’t engage readers in the real world. A website design needs stress testing before it goes live to ensure it does the job, but using a template can ensure your website is ready for use much faster than if you were to design from scratch. Obviously, you will still need to know How to validate your Canva Designs on real people if you’re using Canva Design software, but the whole process should be much faster.
- When you don’t know how to code
When creating a website, it’s important to have a template that you can use to create the actual website. For a coding novice, using templates can be beneficial as it is a simpler way to get a website up and running in a short space of time. You can, however, pick up some of the coding basics online using the array of online tutorials available. But time is money after all, so templates can be a good starting point to get your website off the ground quickly. Other technology blogs have commented on how templates aren’t bad to use when making a website. They talk about how templates can be used to create a well-structured website that is easy for people to navigate and use. Another tool most people probably know about is how-to code, but fewer people know how to use a template effectively. By understanding how to use them properly, you can make a successful website that will be uniform but have your own unique stamp on it.
- When you want to achieve a simple and minimalist website
Templates hold a bad reputation for being the lazy man’s way of making a website. Many people just copy and paste the code from a template and call it a day. This is sadly a mistake, in my opinion.
Templates are a very useful tool when it comes to making a website or blog. They are a way to save time, and they give you a clear idea of how your website is going to look and function before you start writing and designing it. Add to it good SEO techniques (if interested, you could look at sites like https://victoriousseo.com/blog/seo-campaign/) and you are good to go!
When you’re creating a website, it can feel like you’re just sticking bits and pieces into random boxes. The truth is, you’re not. Every element you put into your website is part of a template system. Templates save you time and hassle by allowing you to repeat similar elements over and over again, and in time create your own brand.