This can happen when the designer just happens to keep landing the same types of projects! It can also happen in the case where the designer is one who choses to stick to tried-and-true layouts that are seen across the web. This can be a good idea when when the designer knows what works for a particular web site, or if it’s simply what their customer wanted.�

It’s also possible that the designer is limited in their ability to create designs that are very unique because of his range of design skill. Which is okay, too. However, when you’ve seen too many sites that seem sort of ‘cookie-cutter’, chances may sometimes be, that the designer has used a template.

Websites-by-number?

When I was a little kid, I often got those kiddie painting kits they called, “Paint By Number”.. The concept was a picture that came with a set of waterpaints, each color identified by a number. The picture had numbers in specified in each place to paint on, where you were supposed to literally “paint by number” paint that number’s color.

A template is basically sort of like a “Paint By Number” for the web, because it’s all mapped out, and already to just plug in your text and change the slogan, maybe if you are lucky some of the colors. They are available all over the internet and can often be sort of plain looking but sometimes there are some skilled artists out there who, for their means of making a living, create and sell their designs as templates, which can be very lucrative for those who find the right market.

Template dealers often sell to customers who want a “quick and dirty” method of getting something online, usually to tide them over with at at least a ‘presence’ online until they can learn to create their own web site, or while they take time to hire a professional. Also, templates are used by professionals in business who are not very design-savvy. Templates are the answer here because they provide a fast solution and something that’s easy to update without having to hire a designer or take the time to learn to do website design.

Why I try not to use templates?

There are cases when customers have purchased a template or built one on their own, and would like a designer to use it, when developing their site for them. It hasn’t happened yet to me, but of course I try to respect all the wishes of my clients. I guess that is what sets me apart from other designers.

There are cases when customers have purchased a template or built one on their own, and would like a designer to use it, when developing their site for them. It hasn’t happened yet to me, but of course I try to respect all the wishes of my clients. I guess that is what sets me apart from other designers.

My portfolio of past work does not show a set of look-alike sites, mainly because I don’t use templates, but more importantly, because the customer wanted the site to look precisely that way. I don’t think it’s fair to hand over a web site that hasn’t been 100% developed by me. Unless a customer has offered a template to be used for their web site (which they must own rights to, of course), I do not use them

So, when IS a good time to use templates?

There are cases when customers have purchased a template or built one on their own, and would like a designer to use it, when developing their site for them. It hasn’t happened yet to me, but of course I try to respect all the wishes of my clients. I guess that is what sets me apart from other designers.

My portfolio of past work does not show a set of look-alike sites, mainly becaue I don’t use templates, but more importantly, because the customer wanted the site to look precisely that way. I don’t think it’s fair to hand over a web site that hasn’t been 100% developed by me. Unless a customer has offered a template to be used for their web site (which they must own rights to, of course), I do not use them.

I have, however viewed templates as a reference for myself when I meet with clients to talk about what they like and don’t like, on the web. I also offer many beautiful templates for sale to customers who wish to build their own web sites. I have looked at many of these templates and sometimes I will save a screen shot of them to my computer, for creative inspiration. I do not, however, use them for any purposes. I fail to see the reason behind using someone else’s creative talent and design and pawn it off as my own.

I believe in continuing education, no matter what industry one works in. So I often see these templates and refer to them over and over again, studying their layout, looking at the code behind the scenes to understand the technique of how it was coded and how the graphics were put together. It helps me gain an appreciation for other designers’ work but also sets a standard for how much better I want to get, at web design.

And you know what? I’m getting better every day. So if you are reading this today and you are in need of a web designer, you may have caught me at a better skill level than yesterday! Give me a call. I’ll make the whole experience easy for you and I guarantee you will be thrilled with your web site, 100%.

Bobbi Jo Woods is a full time web designer & computer guru who runs bwoodsdesign.com, a web design company based in St. Paul, MN.� �

For more articles like this, click here