Traditionally, the only way a business owner could have a nice looking e-commerce site was to rely on a web designer to create something. As the e-commerce industry advanced, one of the e-commerce solutions that appeared was pre-designed templates that anyone could implement to create a site. At first, this seemed like the downfall of the web design industry and designers everywhere were worried how these new templates would affect business.
For example, a Bigcommerce template design is easy for a new e-commerce website owner to create and implement right away. There is no need to hire a designer to get started, but eventually most website owners realize that a template isn’t providing everything they need for success. Anything that offer convenience has pros and cons, and it’s figuring out where you need to tweak your site that can make the difference between a successful online business and a struggling one.
The Pros of Using a Pre-Designed Template
The cost of a Bigcommerce template design may be appealing when comparing the cost of using a web designer. For a new business, budgeting is a huge concern, especially if relying on investors or your own personal money to get the business off the ground. Some templates are less than $100 and the services offered by the commerce websites for maintenance and usage is affordable, too.
Another pro is the simplicity with which most people can plug information into a template and see it transform into a website. There’s no need for special coding knowledge or even basic HTML. The website handles it all and you get a finished product.
The Cons of Using a Pre-Designed Template
While cost is a pro, it can also be a con. Cheap templates create cheap websites. Eventually your website will look like hundreds of others, with no unique characteristics that help brand your business. With hundreds of other people choosing the custom Bigcommerce template design, you will look just like everyone else out there. There is little room for creativity because design options are limited.
By using a professional web design company, you can still opt to go with a template but get the creative design you need to help brand your business. Many website designers now work with these popular templates but redesign your site to create something original. It’s often cheaper than ordering a brand new site because some of the work it already done, but the investment you do make will be worth it in the end.
