Web Design Forums

artsyguy · 19-05-2008, 20:25

Hey guys,

These days, there are so many sites out there offering cheap or free web templates. I've been checking them out just for curiosity and some of the templates aren't too bad graphically-speaking. Thinking from a potential client's point of view, if I needed a professional-looking website that was cheap & fast, I might consider using a template. And that sucks for me, because my career is based on designing custom, unique websites for people.

What do you guys think? Do you think as these templates get better and more popular, web designers will find it harder and harder to make a decent living? And are there any things we can do to protect ourselves in this line of work (ie. new skills, etc.)?

Shiro · 19-05-2008, 21:13

You can advertise the fact that each design is original, and no templates are used. The average Joe isn't going to even realize templates exist. By advertising the above point, they will realize that templates do exist, and then check whether the other people to whom they are comparing you against are using templates or not.

KarateRobot · 19-05-2008, 21:44

In my experience, I haven't met a client who said, "I'm going to just use a stock template instead of hiring you", but I have talked to one or two clients who sheepishly told me how they'd tried to use a stock template already, and called me in part because it didn't work out for them.

And it's not that the templates on these sites are bad (many are great), it's just that the client very quickly finds that an out-of-the-box product doesn't do everything he wants.

pgo · 19-05-2008, 23:05

A client who would consider using a stock template is not a client I want to work with. Simple as that.

artsyguy · 20-05-2008, 01:28

Yeah, true but do you think more and more people will start looking towards templates as they get more popular? Like 10 years ago, options were limited and people had no choice but to contact a professional web designer to get their website up and running.

In my opinion, in 5, 10 years it might not be enough for a web designer to just be able to present great-looking sites. He/she will probably need to have additional skills (ie. programming) in order to be able to customize sites to a point where templates will not be able to compete.

Granted, there are still a lot of clients out there who appreciate what a real designer can do compared to an out-of-the-box solution. But I think as time goes on, we will start seeing less and less of these clients.

Any thoughts?

John Good · 20-05-2008, 05:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgo

A client who would consider using a stock template is not a client I want to work with. Simple as that.

I (for once ;-)) disagree.

A good basic(read pure, minimal) template, chosen with care and slightly modified can sometimes do the trick and allow the client to use his budget on everything else than the design.

Sometimes, the content of a website can be more important than it's design.

Dusteh · 20-05-2008, 05:47

Yes, I think basic (CMS) template editing will become a more common part of a web designers work in the future, like it or not.

cam · 20-05-2008, 05:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by pgo

A client who would consider using a stock template is not a client I want to work with. Simple as that.

Completely agree with that

Almost any client that'd be happy with a stock template isn't someone I'd want to work with anyway

pgo · 20-05-2008, 09:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dusteh

Yes, I think basic (CMS) template editing will become a more common part of a web designers work in the future, like it or not.

Don't play coy.

niggle · 20-05-2008, 10:31

Web design is already heading in this direction. The growing obssession of a certain section of the community with "standards" is no more than a movement towards making everything generic, just like templates.

There will always be high level work for talented designers. Let the bottom-feeders deal with the nightmare clients and dull jobs, they're welcome to them.

Dusteh · 20-05-2008, 10:41

Or failing that - just steal the design?

foundbydesign · 12-06-2008, 23:11

I will admit that I tend to use templates in many cases. Mostly because I don't have the resources / knowledge to do every aspect of the design. (i.e Photoshop, Flash) I am fairly good with HTML and PHP, so I tend to be attracted to that part of design... the architecture.

I have found though that even the best "template" needs to be tweaked and modified to be effective and even attractive when actually used... you know, with real content!

If your focus is on the asthetic design of a website, then why not develop templates for others to buy from you? Some of those templates out there that are sweet as hell are also VERY expensive (if you want exclusive rights to it especially!)

19-05-2008, 20:25	#1 (permalink)
artsyguy Web Designer Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 17	How does web templates affect web designers? Hey guys, These days, there are so many sites out there offering cheap or free web templates. I've been checking them out just for curiosity and some of the templates aren't too bad graphically-speaking. Thinking from a potential client's point of view, if I needed a professional-looking website that was cheap & fast, I might consider using a template. And that sucks for me, because my career is based on designing custom, unique websites for people. What do you guys think? Do you think as these templates get better and more popular, web designers will find it harder and harder to make a decent living? And are there any things we can do to protect ourselves in this line of work (ie. new skills, etc.)?

19-05-2008, 21:13	#2 (permalink)
Shiro shiro Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Yokohama, Japan Posts: 2,606	You can advertise the fact that each design is original, and no templates are used. The average Joe isn't going to even realize templates exist. By advertising the above point, they will realize that templates do exist, and then check whether the other people to whom they are comparing you against are using templates or not. __________________ This space for rent. Dads Japan Dudes Japan

20-05-2008, 05:47	#7 (permalink)
Dusteh Sir digby chicken caesar Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 4,828	Yes, I think basic (CMS) template editing will become a more common part of a web designers work in the future, like it or not. __________________ unconsolidated isoparms

20-05-2008, 10:41	#11 (permalink)
Dusteh Sir digby chicken caesar Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 4,828	Or failing that - just steal the design? __________________ unconsolidated isoparms

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19-05-2008, 21:44	#3 (permalink)
KarateRobot Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 64	In my experience, I haven't met a client who said, "I'm going to just use a stock template instead of hiring you", but I have talked to one or two clients who sheepishly told me how they'd tried to use a stock template already, and called me in part because it didn't work out for them. And it's not that the templates on these sites are bad (many are great), it's just that the client very quickly finds that an out-of-the-box product doesn't do everything he wants.

19-05-2008, 23:05	#4 (permalink)
pgo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 12,340	A client who would consider using a stock template is not a client I want to work with. Simple as that.

20-05-2008, 01:28	#5 (permalink)
artsyguy Web Designer Join Date: May 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 17	Yeah, true but do you think more and more people will start looking towards templates as they get more popular? Like 10 years ago, options were limited and people had no choice but to contact a professional web designer to get their website up and running. In my opinion, in 5, 10 years it might not be enough for a web designer to just be able to present great-looking sites. He/she will probably need to have additional skills (ie. programming) in order to be able to customize sites to a point where templates will not be able to compete. Granted, there are still a lot of clients out there who appreciate what a real designer can do compared to an out-of-the-box solution. But I think as time goes on, we will start seeing less and less of these clients. Any thoughts?

20-05-2008, 10:31	#10 (permalink)
niggle Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 456	Web design is already heading in this direction. The growing obssession of a certain section of the community with "standards" is no more than a movement towards making everything generic, just like templates. There will always be high level work for talented designers. Let the bottom-feeders deal with the nightmare clients and dull jobs, they're welcome to them.

12-06-2008, 23:11	#12 (permalink)
foundbydesign Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 16	I will admit that I tend to use templates in many cases. Mostly because I don't have the resources / knowledge to do every aspect of the design. (i.e Photoshop, Flash) I am fairly good with HTML and PHP, so I tend to be attracted to that part of design... the architecture. I have found though that even the best "template" needs to be tweaked and modified to be effective and even attractive when actually used... you know, with real content! If your focus is on the asthetic design of a website, then why not develop templates for others to buy from you? Some of those templates out there that are sweet as hell are also VERY expensive (if you want exclusive rights to it especially!)

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