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So, you've decided to choose a template for your website. Great choice! There are hundreds of stunning Webflow templates on the marketplace that cost a fraction of the price of hiring an agency or freelancer. We believe opting for a template is a smart move as it allows you to allocate more of your budget towards marketing and sales.
But choosing the right template is crucial.
In this post, we'll cover
- How to identify your website's purpose
- Why you need to check template customisability
- Template responsiveness
- Checking what others have said
- How to avoid dead templates
A great template will make your website look professional, function smoothly, and be easy to work with. Unfortunately, there are plenty of bad templates out there that can lead to a lot of headaches. Many people rush into purchasing a template without considering essential factors, which can lead to wasted time and money. (We've done this a few times and learned the hard way 🫠)
To help you make the best choice, we’ve put together five essential tips to avoid common mistakes and select the perfect Webflow template for your needs.
Tip 1: Know Your Website's Purpose
Before diving into the Webflow template marketplace (you can get lost for hours here, trust us), take a moment to define the primary purpose of your website. Is it a portfolio to showcase your work? An e-commerce site to sell products? A marketing site to drive leads to your business?
Once you are clear on your website's purpose, narrow down your search to specific templates that fit your requirements. Then start to dig into each template that catches your eye to examine its functionality and evaluate how well it will meet your needs.
We love these portfolio templates:
Tip 2: Check Template Customisability
One of the key benefits of using Webflow templates is their customisability. However, not all templates are as flexible as others. It really comes down to the designer/developer that built the template to decide on how much free-reign they want to give you, the customer.
Before purchasing, make sure the template you’re checking out allows for easy customisation to match your brand’s look and feel.
Look for templates that offer a range of customisable features, such as colour schemes, typography options, and layout variations. But at the same time, sometimes too much flexibility can be a hindrance and slow you down. It all depends on your requirements and having a clear vision for what you want to achieve with your published website.
Tip 3: Evaluate Template Responsiveness
A responsive site that works across all devices is non-negotiable. We see the vast majority of traffic on our websites coming from mobile devices, often as high as 80%.
With this in mind, we recommend paying more attention to how a template looks and feels on mobile than anything else. You can open any Webflow template in the Webflow Designer and preview it using Webflow's built-in responsive design tools. Or you can open the live preview and use your browser developer tools to preview it on different device sizes.
Tip 4: Read Reviews and Ratings
Before making a purchase, take some time to read reviews and ratings from other users who have already tried the template.
Some templates are just really bad to work with once you buy them, but you should be able to weed these ones out by reading the reviews. Look for feedback on aspects such as ease of use, customisation options, and customer support. Pay attention to any recurring issues or complaints. User reviews can also highlight positive features you might not have considered. Reliable reviews can often be found directly on the template marketplace or on Webflow forums and community groups.
Taking the time to research will give you a clearer picture of what to expect and help you choose a template that’s well-regarded by other users.
Tip 5: Consider Support and Updates
Speaking as a template designer, I try everything in my power to build templates that are easy to work with and come with clear documentation. Despite this, I understand that sometimes it can still be a challenge to get a template to work exactly how you have envisioned. That's why access to good customer support is crucial. Before purchasing a Webflow template, check if the template provider offers reliable support. This can be a lifesaver when you encounter issues or need help customising your template.
In addition to support, I recommend checking how often a template is updated. You can find this by previewing your template in the Webflow Designer and navigating to the Changelog page. Look for templates from developers who have a track record of updating their products. Updates can include bug fixes, new features, and improvements that enhance the template's functionality and compatibility with the latest Webflow features.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to the template provider with any questions about support and updates before making your purchase. A responsive and proactive developer can make a big difference in your overall experience.
Conclusion
Choosing the right Webflow template can make a massive difference to the success of your business. A stunning, professional, functional, and user-friendly website can be the springboard to attracting your ideal customers online. By knowing your website's purpose, checking for customisability, evaluating responsiveness, reading reviews, and considering support and updates, you can avoid the common pitfalls and avoid wasting time and money on a bad template.
Happy building! 🚀
