Nowadays, having a website is imperative for any company or business owner. However, creating a custom-made website can be a very time-consuming and costly affair. Therefore, if you are working with a limited budget, you could consider the less expensive option of using ready-made templates to build your website. Sites such as WordPress and Blogger offer a wide variety of templates which are affordable and easy to use.
With the many options available out there, choosing the appropriate template might not be an easy task. The following are some tips which will help you select the right web design template.
1. Elements of conversion
Most websites require visitors to take a particular action after visiting the pages. This could be signing up for a newsletter, joining a mailing list or buying a product. Therefore, make sure you choose a template which has comes with the appropriate elements for conversion. The template should have enough space for inserting call to action buttons in the homepage, as well as the other pages of the site.
2. Ease of navigation
This is a very important factor for any web design template. If visitors have to go through numerous pages before finding what they are looking for in your site, they will get frustrated. Therefore, you need to ensure that the template selected allows you to build a site which is easy to navigate. A general rule of thumb is that visitors should be able to reach any part of your site within three clicks.
3. Suitability for mobile devices
Nowadays, many people access the internet on mobile devices such as smart phones, tablets and laptops. Therefore, the template chosen should be reasonably sized, allowing you to place all your vital details (call to action and value proposition) above the fold. Avoid overcrowding your viewers with too much information. To test the template, open it on different mobile devices with screens of varying sizes. A good template will fit well on screens of all sizes and formats.
4. Consistency
Your website needs to be designed in a way which is consistent with the values and branding of your business. Therefore, make sure the template selected has print styles, images and colors which reflect your business. This will enable you to win the trust and commitment of prospective customers.
5. Customization
Due to changing market needs or technological advances, you might need to redesign your site once in a while. Some templates can only be used as they are while others make provision for customization and improvement. Make sure you select a template which allows you to carry out modifications on your site when necessary.
6. Support
At one time or another, you are likely to have some problems with your chosen template. Therefore, you need to find a template service which offers support in setting up as well as maintaining your site. Preferably, support should be accessible via email, phone and live chat. You can test the quality of support is by approaching them with an imaginary problem. This will enable you to assess the speed and helpfulness of their response.
Charles Mburugu has a great passion for sharing blogging and web development tips. At the moment, he is writing for MotoCMS templates.