Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Design and Content : Template usage - good or bad?

[Dodabby]

Hi all

I am new here and this is my first post. I would like to know what your views on using templates are? Do many designers use templates and do your clients mind?

Dodabby

[3217]

It depends you'll find that some templates you can buy outright which means that you get too own it. Are you thinking of using templates and sell it to your clients as your own?

[Dodabby]

i am just starting out, have been designing sites for a few years now for fun here and there, but now i want to make something of it. seeing that i am currently not working anyway thanks to my hubby's great job, i have a top notch pc, all the software (legally by the way), i have adsl, scanners, the lot, so to start this up is not costing me the earth and i hope to have my own site up by the end of the week and i will see where it goes.

so now i am looking at whats the best to offer my clients seeing that most people will not want to pay high development costs etc i think using templates may be the way to go (for now anyways).

i have paid for a boxedart membership so i will probably use that for now - any thoughts on this?

[3217]

hmm, will the client know that you are selling them templates?
I think as long as you are stating that they are templates and you are not selling them as our own it should be ok. I'm not too sure about this as i do not design or sell templates, maybe someone else knows?

[BigBison]

I don't know about boxed art, but Template Monster's TOS doesn't favor your plans, they require that the end-user purchase the template, then contract with a designer such as yourself to alter it. Designers aren't allowed to re-sell templates. Make sure you read the TOS in detail before you set yourself on this course.

As to templates in general, they aren't intended as "ready-to-go" websites. There's nothing wrong with a web developer having a client select a template they like, as the real work is bringing the underlying code up to standards, which it isn't "out of the box". Make that the "affordable" plan, with a custom design not from a template your "premium" offering.

[ozwebfx]

Remember that even when using templates there is still some way to go to achieve a professional result. You need the right tools, preferably Dreamweaver, Photoshop & Flash MX to get the best results.
If you are designing sites for others you must disclose that you used a template, or you will get caught out down the track & the client will not be happy at all.
A template can't give you instant design skills but it can give you a headstart, especially when a client is not giving you much feedback to start with.

[DreamSync]

Originally posted by BigBison
I don't know about boxed art, but Template Monster's TOS doesn't favor your plans, they require that the end-user purchase the template, then contract with a designer such as yourself to alter it. Designers aren't allowed to re-sell templates. Make sure you read the TOS in detail before you set yourself on this course.

Actually, she can purchase the template herself and design her clients website. She's just restricted from using the design more than once and from reselling the templates. (See Below)

-Brian


Template Monster FAQ shows:
29. Is it possible to use your templates to develop websites for my customers?

Yes. It is perfect for designers who want to offer their customers a high-quality design and also save time and money. Mind that when you purchase the template with oridnary or exclusive licence you're entitled to create only one project (one domain name).


Template Moster TOS:
c) UNAUTHORIZED USE
You may not place any of our products, modified or unmodified, on a diskette, CD, website or any other medium and offer them for redistribution or resale of any kind without prior written consent from our company.

[sololo]

Besides, Im thinking this Temps mostly come in PSD/FLA formats so you have to edit them in PSP Image Ready to Customize, which means you've got to have these graphics/animation sftw anyhow.

[Threeboy]

I hate templates, here are some reasons why:

1 - they're not original.

2 - good design is derrived from content, with templates you go about that in reverse and try to shoe-horn content into a set design.

3 - you can usually tell it's a template.

[Philified]

I look at templates mroe as a guide line or inspiration sometimes. Depends on the job.