Many companies can be easily lead astray into believing that a template website is a better move over custom web services like Indiana web design, Indiana web development and Indiana SEO services. This is false. Template sites use generic code that will appear to duplicate across the web. So your site will appear to be copying other sites online that have used the same template software.
Sadly, there are even design companies that “sell” their web abilities to unsuspecting clients and really only use template software. The majority of these template software packages are not SEO compliant and the reality is, if the web design firm cannot build a custom website, they probably don’t know much about SEO either.
Recently one of our long-time clients changed to another website company that sold them such a product. Trading in a custom website that had strong SEO and rank status, they were talked into switching their domain of 7 years (rule #1, NEVER move away from an established domain–its like dumping Google and starting all over under a new identity–not recommended) to a new domain and launching the new (template) website. Not that we are sore about losing a client (as long as its a company with a good web strategy and clean programming), but to lose a client to a template website–this was a tough one to swallow. Alas, some individuals make their own decisions without regard to the experience of others and I hope it works out for them. But, if you are considering a template website, there are a few items you should be aware of.
CONS OF TEMPLATE WEBSITES:
- No originality – your design is not custom made for your company, on the contrary, your information is “plugged in” to the template. Also noteworthy, there is no stopping other websites from using the same template and looking exactly like yours.
- One size does not fit all – in web design, the one-size-fits-all idea does not translate well. Users are becoming more and more picky and if your site is something they have already seen, well, lets just say its not positive. This is also true with SEO info. Some templates allow you to customize SEO information, but not all. Most likely, if your web design company is using a template, it may be an indication that they don’t really know what they are doing (unless they built the template). Therefore, one could deduct that if said web design company doesn’t really build websites, they probably don’t know much about SEO either. There are always exceptions, I suppose.
- coding generalities and errors - in order to make a template most effective, the development platform will need to be as large and open ended as possible – kind of like the Windows OS. If you try to build something that works on outdated platforms you are going to have problems. Custom websites built correctly implement current web and SEO standards and build for current browsers.
- Typically cheap(er) – You can save some money and get a website. If you are really on a tight budget, then this option is valid although not entirely effective.
- Quick turn around time – you can typically pump out the site much quicker, just fill in the blanks and you’re good to go.
- Future updates are simple – Most template sites come with a built in CMS (content management system) and allow you to update your site easily.
