Website Templates

A website template is nothing more than a predesigned base on which to create a fully functional website in a very short time. In a template, which is created with HTML and CSS, basic aspects such as colors, layout of graphic elements, sections, text format, etc. can be customized.

There are also templates ready to be imported into content managers (CMS), such as WordPress, which are widely accepted. That is the most used option by those who venture to create their first websites.

Templates are designs created by web designers, programmers or companies, whose objective is to sell a license to use it (for life or renewable from time to time) to its users. Although some companies could also offer free templates with limited usage, or paid options with more editable elements.

It is also common to talk about templates for email marketing. These templates are also designed using HTML, but in this case the email templates have only one page and are created with a responsive design.

1. Advantages of using templates

There is a lot of debate between the convenience of using templates or custom developments, here are the advantages of using templates, so you can decide if they are for you or not:

• Easy to edit. The templates are designed so that people with medium-low knowledge can customize the layout in a few clicks, that is, simple and basic modifications.
• Very low cost. It is always better to work with premium templates as they include support and updates. they cost between 50 and 150 euros. However, if you have a very small budget, there are thousands of free website templates.
• It is easy to get started. If you use a template, you will be able to publish a new website much faster. Although, if you want to customize the template, you will have to spend more time working on the website.
• Visually very attractive. Templates are very attractive, mainly because even a small business can create a professionally designed website without spending a lot of money.

2. Disadvantages of using templates

Yes, the use of templates also poses a series of disadvantages and limitations when creating a website, some of them are:

• Limited customization. It is true that changing an image or text is extremely simple, but when you need to make more advanced changes, you will have a problem when working with a template. Of course, paid templates are much more flexible than the free ones.
• A template is not the best option for your SEO strategy. You don’t have control over the template code, many times it is reused code and this doesn’t help you improve optimal SEO ranking, as you can’t improve several aspects related to loading speed and other issues.
• Your competitors could be using the same template. As a template is usually a massively developed and sold product, you will find many websites with very similar designs, even if you can change the colors of the pages. It doesn’t help you to differentiate yourself from the rest of the market, something that you do find in custom designs.
• For substantial changes, you will need a specialist in web design. In a few situations, what seems cheap will turn out to be expensive. The investment in the template is cheap, but making changes to it can force us to need professional help.