It comes a time when the majority get stuck when making a website. Not with the words. Not with the pictures. But with something that seems innocently basic, selecting a web template.
And if you’re here looking for ways how you can choose a website template that won’t bog you down, perplex your visitors, or cost you conversions, then I’ve been where you are more often than I care to admit. Some of the people who have taken my courses previously only focused on appearance, and a week or so later would be overhauling the entire site.
So, let’s clarify that.
Here’s what actually works when it comes to choosing a website template that will be suitable for your future growth.
Know What Your Site Requires
Before being swayed by a glitzy appearance or trendy homepage design, take a moment to think through what your site really needs to do.
Is this a photography portfolio showcasing your work? Is it an online shop? A coaching website? A blog?
I have witnessed clients try the minimalist theme with the e-commerce setup and end up with a two-page checkout. What did they get? Fewer sales and more frustration.
A good template will be adaptable enough to fit your requirement, rather than the other way around. Your website resembles your virtual residence and a template would be the framework. It should be conceived as per how people will be utilizing it. If your site needs monetization or growth on platforms like YouTube, don’t forget to consider tools that help you increase your YouTube views.
Make Sure It Compliments Your Content
It’s a no-brainer except when you’re high in a template demo with your head spinning through complicated animations.
A well-looking template doesn’t equate with being a good one.
You’ll need to verify:
- Is the content accessible by all devices?
- Are the headings well-spaced?
- Does the design make your primary message more apparent or more obscure?
I remember this one student who chose a black background theme because it appeared edgy. Yet, when she put the pastel brand colours on top, all the colours blended. She tweaked it for weeks so it would be ideal.
Start by testing your own content using the demo. If it doesn’t function immediately, go ahead.
Responsiveness and Speed
I had one designer send me a screenshot of their stunning web design one time. It displayed beautifully on a desktop. Then I visited it on a mobile phone and couldn’t even access the menu.
All the templates are touted as being “mobile-friendly” but you’ll have to test it for yourself. Test it on various screen sizes and check how it responds with varying content lengths.
And don’t forget speed. Bloated templates make your site load more slowly, resulting in increased bounce rates. I have seen image-heavy templates take over five seconds to load. That’s not a lot, but according to various studies, over three seconds and you start losing people in big numbers.
Less is more particularly in the case of performance.
Trust and Communication
it’s about experience. And when one’s attempting to create a position of trust, the way one designs matters so much.
I’ve seen content creators on YouTube and elsewhere who overnight became hugely popular not just because they were producing great content, but because they had a well-designed site. If your project’s the one they’re working on, your web presence matters, across all platforms.
It’s why some people who want a more instant nudge in the direction of being credible prefer getting subscribers as one method for growth. Coupled with a clean, credible looking website theme, it will have guests look at you as a credible organization with an instant glance.
It’s not so much faking the success, it’s eliminating barriers that would deter folks from trying your work.
Testing, Tweaking, and Getting Feedback
You think you have the perfect sample but you can never be sure if it isn’t tested with real users.
I’ve done it more often than I care to remember. It all appeared much more elegant on paper, but the instant another human attempted to make their way through it, they would get confused and miss a major CTA.
Don’t rely on your own vision. Share the template sample with filled-in content with a colleague or a friend. Better still, watch them use it. You’ll be immediately shown usability issues you didn’t notice.
And don’t forget that the majority of sites provide a trial prior to joining: use the trial time.
Understand Limitations: Free Templates
Free templates serve their purpose. They’re a great place to start, especially if you’re testing things out or building a basic site.
But they are usually followed by:
- Limited adjustment.
- No help
- Obsolete plug-ins or codes
One of my earliest students began a blog using a free theme. It was stunning, until she needed a newsletter sign-up or added analytics for ads views. It became a plug-in mess and workarounds.
If you’re taking your site seriously and anticipating expansion, a premium theme will generally be a better investment. It will be more efficient code, have quicker load time, and better support and live updates.
That peace of mind will be worth so much more than the down payment.
Last Checks Prior to Publication
Make the last walk-through prior to making the last decision. Have the last review.
- Clean mobile and tablet preview
- Readable (even on touchscreen phones)
- Navigation is easy
- It shows your company’s personality
- Pivotal call-to-actions are easily visible
If a generator does all the above, you have probably found the correct one.
FAQs
What makes a website template “SEO-friendly”?
Look for clean, minimal code, fast loading times, responsive design, and the ability to set custom meta tags and alt text. Templates that are built with performance in mind tend to perform better in search rankings.
Can I switch templates after launching my site?
Yes, but it can be a hassle. Switching templates might affect your layout, formatting, or even SEO settings. Always back up your content and test thoroughly in staging before making changes live.
What’s more important, design or functionality?
Functionality. While design draws users in, it’s the experience that keeps them there. A simple, well-structured layout almost always outperforms a visually stunning one that’s confusing to navigate.