Written by: Sachin Parmar
Companies like Squarespace and Wix promote the idea that theme-based websites are a quick and easy fix to creating an online presence. But, did you know that there are times when a site built from a template isn’t the best option for your business? Sachin Parmar, Co-founder and Creative Director from evokeu, London’s leading boutique digital marketing and branding agency, discusses the pros and cons of creating a site from a template and scenarios when it is and isn’t the choice you should opt for.
The popular web builder, Wix details six simple steps to construct a website, from signing up to their platform, choosing a template, dragging and dropping your design features and publishing your site – apparently, it’s as easy as that. But, don’t be fooled by the simple façade, as although producing a site from a template can speed up the process of getting your business online, it’s not a quick fix to driving traffic, enticing prospective clients and making a sale.
Use a template to test what works
There are thousands of different templates to choose from and it can sometimes be overwhelming selecting a design that ticks all the boxes of what you need from a site. The honest truth is that you’ll be searching forever if you’re looking for a template that’s the perfect match for your business. Instead, use templates as a testing ground for what works and doesn’t work for your business, brand and clients. Check Google Analytics to see which pages your clients are clicking on and how long they’re spending on each page, then keep the elements that work to design a website that is tailored to your needs.
Launch a product or service with a template
Perhaps you’ve got a prototype product or service that you’d like to trial in the market or maybe you’re soft launching a new business. A template-based website can be a great way to get your product or service out there without spending too much money or time. Use a template website during the pilot stage to see whether your product or service has legs and if it’s gained a warm reception, then polish off your external facing image with a customised site to give it a real shot at success.
Use a template as a holding page
It takes time and expertise to build a website from scratch, but the benefits are endless. A website created by professionals, like the team at evokeu, will be unique to your business, personalised to your needs and SEO-optimised for the very best chance of attracting clicks and prospective clients. A template-based site can be a good interim holding page for when your ‘real’ site is being built. Keep it simple with key messaging and information. The aim is to not confuse your clients with multiple websites, but to instead ensure that you never have an outage online and risk losing clients by not having an online presence.
When not to use a template
Now that we’ve gone through some situations where a template can be beneficial, it’s time to touch on the occasions when a ready-made site isn’t the right decision. Don’t use a template site from a web-building platform if you’re planning on using it as your permanent site. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, then reach out to an agency like evokeu, who can suggest some suitable templates and will work with you to adapt the site to work for your business. Don’t opt for a template site if you’re hoping to stand out from the crowd. Even though there are thousands of templates available, there are also thousands of websites on the internet. By choosing a template-based site, you’re creating a duplication of another site that already exists on the web. If you want a truly unique website, then you need to work with experts including web designers, graphic designers and copywriters to build a site that has never been seen before. It’s an investment, but it’s an investment that is critical to the future of your business. Don’t expect to pay the minimum and reap the maximum. For a website that is crafted for you, speak to evokeu today.
If you’d like to find out more about Sachin and evokeu, please visit: https://www.evokeu.com/. You can also follow Sachin on LinkedIn, where he frequently posts business advice and inspiring content.
About the author:
Sachin Parmar is the creative director and co-founder of evokeu & Graphic Kitchen, a london-based creative agency established in 2014. He has a reputation for crafting unforgettable brands for ambitious businesses around the world. Sachin leads a team of designers, innovators, and developers, who deliver exceptional results for clients by creating visually appealing designs that effectively communicate their message. His leadership and expertise have earned the agency a reputation as a premier creative agency.
