How to use Web Templates in Commercial Web Design
Hi,
I’ve been a advocate of website templates in commercial web design for years now, because it saves the designer a lot of time and in saves the clients a good chunk of cash.
… There are occasions where from-scratch custom design makes sense, but for most web design projects, templates are a great solution – especially with a little customization to make it look unique.
How to use Templates in the Web Design BUSINESS process?
I was recently asked by a web designer how I would show clients the templates that are out there? Do you send them to a template site (free or commercial) or do you do something else?
My suggestion is to meet with the client, figure out basically what kind of style their project needs, and then you as the web designer, go out there and take a bunch of screen captures of templates that you think could work. This way your client doesn’t have to sort through thousands of templates blindly – most clients don’t have much in the way of design skills …
Don’t show too many templates!
I would not show them more than say five templates. If you give them too many options, nothing will get done. You will find yourself in design-paralysis because the client will have a heck of a hard time making up their minds.
Stefan Mischook
www.killersites.com
January 8th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Thanks!
Very good point because we use the exact same method in the cable tv business. We only show two or three plans at the most to keep it simple for the customer.
Back in my younger days when I was working in the telemarketing industry sort of like boiler room, my boss made a comment that STUCK to my memory like it’s ” super glue “.
He said always use the KISS rule…. keep it short and simple.
January 12th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
I would even suggest only showing 2 or 3. And I’d tailor the templates to the client first to give them a better idea of what it would or could look like. Some people can’t visualize when looking at something straight out the box.
March 16th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
I always try to veer clients away from templates, as they are usually the same design and feeling. However I know from past experience with small business budgets and sometimes you have to but then you run into the trouble of modifying poorly written code.