ImageWorks Creative Blog

Why Using a “Website Template” Is Just a BAD Idea

Posted by Migdalia December 29, 2016

 

We get it. Templates save money and time. Right? But do they really? Let’s look a bit harder.

Isn’t the best way to build a website in 2017 driven by determining FIRST what content you need to show and how you need to show it? Should all designs start with that strategy in mind? Of course! So trying to cram your content into predefined areas doesn’t make much sense.

Your website is who you are online. It’s your brand’s story, and it’s where impressions are created. But before we make recommendations let’s consider a few reasons why templates are just an awful idea to start to build your brand upon.

  1. Not unique. They are often reused and customers can smell that canned look a mile away. The Risk? A Poor impression.
  2. Space driven, not content driven. Once you buy a template you must try to cram your info into predefined areas. Fail.
  3. Extremely hard to customize. Trust me on this. You are jumping into spaghetti code here.
  4. A hacker’s dream. More templates are hacked -  especially WordPress - than any other type of site.
  5. They are SLOWWWWWWW. Templates are crammed with code you don’t need and will never use because they are trying to serve all markets. The result: sites that are 3-10x slower than the sites built from a solid platform just for your brand.
  6. Nightmare security updates. Each month Drupal and WordPress have security updates, and installing these into a theme all crammed with code is a recipe for disaster and huge tech support costs.
  7. No technical support. Who’s going to pay for your 100 lost hours of time for something you paid $20 for?

So, what are your options for a website for a new business or an established business looking to improve their online presence?

  1. Build a custom website. Start with a strategy. Build it for mobile first, then desktop. This takes time and obviously costs more money, but it is the best way to create a unique experience and make an impact on your market. You can learn more about custom websites here: http://www.imageworkscreative.com/content/custom-web-design
  2. Find a company that has its own framework. Instead of using a template, a framework uses code that is reusable without being pre-designed. It’s essentially formless. You can still design your site around YOUR content and not stuff it into predefined areas. Is it more restricting than a full custom site? Yep. But it’s still a great option when you can’t budget for a full custom site.

As always feel free to call or email with questions, or you can leave a comment, praise, rant below!

Scott Margenau
CXO Imageworks Creative

"With their copywriting capabilities, SEO expertise, and an eye for design, this firm has it all!"

"ImageWorks’ branding and marketing strategies have led to a tenfold increase in our organic website traffic."

"We have already seen a lot more user engagement than we ever have had in the past. Scott never said no. As a result, I am a hero at work for creating this great new site."

"Scott is the only person I've talked to who really took the time to understand my marketing needs and helped me make the changes to my website and marketing plan."

"Pssst! Did you know ImageWorks has won over 20 national and international awards for design and marketing from the best names in the industry? Imagine that talent working for your business! "

"ImageWorks knew exactly what I needed and provided it quickly and economically."

"Thanks to the IWC team for creating a brand for us which consistently receives rave reviews!"

"Thanks to you and the ImageWorks team for a successful launch yesterday. Everything turned out great and I really appreciate the effort everyone put in to meet the launch date. I am looking forward to continuing working with you. Best of all, in less than 12 hours of having our new site up, we generated our first lead for a trial."

"We have been extremely happy with their creativeness and are very proud of what they have done for us on our web presence."

"This [design] is phenomenal! Your team has blown me and my expectations away at every phase! I can hardly wait to start marketing."

"A big thank you for an amazing website! I absolutely love it! You and your team did a great job! Fabulous work ... I have been bragging about it to everyone!"

DC Metro Area (Headquarters)

3859 Centerview Drive, Suite 400
Chantilly, Virginia 20151

(703) 378 0000

Satellite

1776 I St NW
Washington, DC 20006

(202) 803 7980

Download our PDF Brochure Our "Pitch Deck”

Get It Now