So you’ve reached the decision to establish your own website; a good choice, but there are many steps along the road to having a site that is appealing and serves your individual needs, and those of your potential visitors. One of which is how exactly your website will look like, namely, will you use a custom-made template or hire a professional web designer?

Whether you’re a small business owner wanting to create an e-store, or perhaps a burgeoning photographer with a desire to show off your skills with an online portfolio, there are many reasons as to why a pre-made website design could assist you.

Price

This is definitely a factor that could sway you in the direction of templates for your site, because if you’re a creative student or e-store owner, then it’s likely that you’re going to be on a budget. Professional website designers don’t come cheap, and although the results will be great visually, this could be money spent elsewhere. Prices for professional designers will vary place to place, but you’re looking at spending around $20 per month to get your website online using a template.

Customization & Content

Of course, the template is the foundation of your site, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for customization and your own creative flair. You can still tweak and arrange the placement of text boxes, images, and videos that may appear on your site. What’s more, many template providers sort their possibilities into genres, meaning you can filter by what kind of industry you’re in (beauty, arts, retail, services, tourism, construction, culture, etc.).

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Speed & Usability

Once you’ve made the decision to get online, you’ll undoubtedly want to strike while the iron is hot. Your enthusiasm could start to disappear once prices rise and time starts to drag, and what started out as a fun endeavor quickly turns into a costly and arduous burden. Using a template for a website will give you a solid momentum and you’ll be able to start customizing and promoting your online project straight away.

Custom-made websites are simpler in design, but sometimes simplicity is all people are after. The majority of internet users won’t be so concerned with flashy backgrounds and cool animations, most just want clear, concise information that is easy to find. User experience (UX) should always come before style.

Responsiveness & SEO

Smartphones are rapidly becoming the most popular way to browse the internet, and if your site isn’t fully responsive to mobiles, then you can say goodbye to a lot of internet traffic, not to mention a lower ranking in Google’s SERPs. Providers of pre-made templates make sure that their designs come automatically optimized for either smartphones, tablets, or desktops. You’ll also get features like SSL security already included – an absolute must for anyone selling online.

About the Author

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Mirko Humbert

Mirko Humbert is the editor-in-chief and main author of Designer Daily and Typography Daily. He is also a graphic designer and the founder of WP Expert.