Start With a Website Design That Fits Your Business
A website template gives you a starting point for building your website. Instead of designing every page from a blank screen, you can choose an existing layout and customise it for your business.
The best website builder templates make it easier to create a professional-looking website while giving you the flexibility to add your own content, images, branding and pages.
Choosing a template is an important part of building a website, but the template itself is only the beginning. Your content, navigation and overall structure will determine how useful the finished website is for your customers.
What Is a Website Template?
A website template is a pre-designed website layout that you can use as the foundation for your own website.
Templates can provide the basic structure for things such as:
- Homepage layouts
- Navigation
- Service pages
- Product pages
- Contact pages
- Image galleries
- Calls to action
- Headers and footers
You then customise the template with your own business information, images, colours, fonts and content.
This means you don't have to start designing your website from scratch.
Why Use a Website Builder Template?
One of the main benefits of templates is that they can save time when creating a website.
A template can give you an established layout to work from, allowing you to concentrate on the information your customers actually need.
Templates can also help if you're not a professional designer. Rather than having to work out how every page should be arranged, you have an existing design to build from.
A good template can provide a strong starting point while still allowing you to make the website your own.
Choose a Template Based on Your Business
Don't choose a template simply because you like the way the homepage looks.
Think about how the design will work with your business and the type of content you need to publish.
For example, a:
Tradie or service business may need prominent service information, enquiry forms, contact details and project images.
Consultant or professional service may need space for expertise, services, testimonials and useful resources.
Retail business needs product displays, categories, shopping functionality and a straightforward path to checkout.
Creative business may need large images, galleries and portfolio sections.
The template should support the way your customers will use your website.
Look Beyond the Homepage
The homepage is often what attracts people to a template, but don't make your decision based on the homepage alone.
Look at the other page layouts available.
Consider whether you can create the pages you need, including:
- About
- Services
- Products
- Contact
- FAQs
- Testimonials
- Portfolio
- Blog or Resources
A template that looks great on the homepage may not be suitable if the rest of the website structure doesn't work for your business.
Make the Template Your Own
A template should be a starting point, not the finished website.
Replace the example content with information that is relevant to your business.
This includes:
- Your business name
- Your logo
- Your colours
- Your photographs
- Your services
- Your products
- Your contact details
- Your own written content
Avoid leaving generic template wording on your website. Your customers need to understand what your business does and why they should choose you.
Choose a Mobile-Friendly Template
Your website needs to work well on phones as well as computers.
Before choosing a template, check how the design adapts to smaller screens.
Pay attention to:
- Text size
- Navigation
- Images
- Buttons
- Forms
- Spacing
- Page layout
A template that looks good on a large desktop screen may not provide the same experience on mobile.
Consider Your Website Content
Your template should work with the content you actually have.
If your business relies heavily on photographs, choose a design that presents images well.
If explaining your services is more important, make sure the layout gives you enough room for useful written content.
Don't try to force your content into a template simply because you like its appearance.
It is usually better to choose a design that supports your content than to rewrite your website around a template.
Website Templates and SEO
The design of a template is only one part of SEO.
A good website template can provide a solid technical and structural foundation, but your search visibility will also depend on the content you add and how your website is organised.
When choosing a template, consider whether you can:
- Create clear page titles
- Add useful headings
- Edit page URLs
- Add descriptive content
- Optimise images
- Create internal links
- Build additional pages
A visually attractive template is not automatically an SEO-friendly website.
Can You Change Your Template Later?
This depends on the website builder.
Some website builders make it relatively easy to change designs, while others can make changing templates more complicated.
Before committing to a template, find out how much flexibility you have.
Ideally, your website builder should allow you to customise the design and continue developing your website as your business changes.
Don't Choose the Most Complicated Template
More design elements don't necessarily make a better website.
A template with animations, large image sections and lots of different layouts may look impressive, but it could make your website harder to use.
Think about what your customers need.
A simple, clear design can often be more effective than a complicated one.
Your website should make it easy for visitors to find information and take the next step.
What Makes a Good Website Builder Template?
When comparing templates, look for one that:
- Looks professional
- Works well on mobile devices
- Has clear navigation
- Supports the pages you need
- Can be customised
- Works with your content
- Supports your SEO requirements
- Makes important information easy to find
- Can grow with your business
The right template should make building your website easier, not restrict what you can do.
Templates Make Building a Website Easier
You don't need to be a professional designer to create a professional-looking website.
Website builder templates provide a starting point that allows you to concentrate on your business, your customers and your content.
Take some time to consider what your website needs before choosing a design. Look beyond the homepage, check the available page layouts and make sure the template gives you enough flexibility to build the website your business actually needs.
Start Building Your Website
Explore our Website Builder to see how website builders can help you create and manage your own website.
You can also learn more about Website Builder Features and the benefits of using a website builder.
