Web Hosting Talk : Advertising Forums : Community Reviews : Other Reviews : Custom Design vs. Templates

[stripeyteapot]

Evening Everyone,

Recently I have seen a growing number of templates bought and sued by different companies on the web. Many by hosting companies, but also others by design companies.

I would like to start off by giving my opinion on design companies buying templates for their home page. Personally, I think this is wrong, and can be misleading towards potential clientele who may think the the design quality tehy'll be getting is that of the quality of that companies layout. Ok, they could may well go buy a template exclusively, and get the job done, but, even though you buy a template exclusively, I'm lead to believe you only get minor image changes or different flash intros. and that they aren't much different to a reselling template.

Stressing on host companies, I am one to believe that unique - ness is the key to success. Not a lot of web hosts have unique features, infact, from personal experience, I believe that choosing a webhost now is looked at through reliability, speed and compotent, fast support. A design however, can be the make or break point of a sale, for example;

Two webhosts have exactly the same plan to offer. Same space, bandwidth etc. Now, assuming that they are both reliable, both have great, freindly support teams, and are both fast hosting companies, who do you choose? The webhost with a "mockup" design, or one that looks clean, professional and looks like they have either spent time producing the design, or invested in one?

When you find two templates on different websites, what is your first impression? That's a template? Couldn't they have bought one? My personal opinion is WHY?

Although a lot of web developers, and development companies know the tre value of design and development, which I must say, can be quite expensive, there are designers and developers that are cheap and of a fairly good quality. In my own opinion, I would rather spend 125$ US on a unique design, from someone pretty good and working for themselves, than a 230$ US template that will be re sold.

So far what I've said may seem contradictory, or even un related, but if you take a minute and think of this final question, one which i would like answered, just to see what web hosts and design companies would rather use, for themselves, I can clear up with myself, what has been bugging me ever since I started web design and development 3 years ago,

Template, or your own unique custom design? Please vote, and / or post any comments you may have.

Have a good evening,
Paul B. Riddick

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PS. Moderators if you feel I have broken any rules, please feel free to remove this post and accept my apologies.

[serialbeggar]

While I lust at the eye candy that are templates, I have too much pride to use them. I freely admit that I have no head for original concept designing. And it is only after many years of trial and error that I feel that I can finally produce a basic web site that doesn't disgust me every time I look at it. I will always give more credit to someone who showed that they are trying.

Regarding the self proclaimed "web designers" using templates that they did not create, I whole heartily agree with you. It's no better than a bait and switch by a car dealer. For a web designer/artist, their own site should be representative of their work. If someone is going to offer design services, they must create original works. To do any less is just an outright scam.

[t c]

Custom made/ordered designs > Premade Templates

I wouldn't really mind if people used the premade if they altered them more than adding their own logo/content or if they purchased the true 'unique' design that has 0 downloads on the template sites (there's many).

Other than the above statement, stick your head out and browse among designers if you can't do it and pay them. Getting a custom quality design here on WHT is most of the time cheaper than what the 'unique' price tag is on template sites.

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Consumers have many different views of this type of thing and sometimes they can or cannot alter their final decision.

[A] They could say it's not about the design, it's about their service and that's all that matters. Why should they worry about going all out on a website design when it's service quality that counts.

[B] They could say that if they use premade templates instead of going after a custom design then perhaps they're not serious enough about their business. This could also make them assume that they may treat their service to the consumer the same way.

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Coming from my view, I stick with [A] as it is more about quality service but, I also like it when they're unique about their design.

Thanks for reading my $0.02

[stripeyteapot]

I appreciate your comments and thoughts.

Although I must admit that hosts could say it is about the service, and there is no need to go all out, but you also said yourself, why not come to WHT? There are plenty of designers willing to do a great job for under 300$, in my opinion is very cheap.

I must go with [B] and say web hosting companies using the same design as someone else come across to me, as they are not putting as much effort into their "image" as they are into their services, therefore gets me wondering, 'well are they a serious company? Or are they out for the sole purpose of having an income?'

On that note, I must also agree buying templates at unique price with 0 downloads is also a good choice. Not a lot of people will have seen it elsewhere, and often these templates can be very unique designs.

Regards,
Paul B. Riddick