The best and worst times to use a template

Templates are an amazing resource for emerging entrepreneurs to build their online presence. They are even helpful for veteran entrepreneurs who need a quick turnaround or easier implementation.

But with all the hype about templates, it can be tough to tell exactly when you SHOULD and SHOULDN’T use a template. So let’s break it down:

The BEST times to use a template to build your brand

Templates can save you so much time and money, especially in the beginning. You aren’t ready to invest thousands of dollars or months of your time into working with a designer for a custom-built brand and website. You need a quick and easy solution that gets your brand online but also presents it in the right way so you establish a good foundation.

In the early stages, design takes a back seat to sales. Your priority is building your business and making money. But that doesn’t mean you want to skimp on the visuals because that first impression goes a long way for making sales too.

If you’re debating using a template to build your brand and website, chances are it will be a good decision. But in case you need a little more reassurance, let me give you a checklist.

5 Signs you would benefit from a template:

You’re in the early stages of building your business (1-2 years)
You’ve DIYed your brand and website but it kind of flopped and you need something a little better.
You don’t have the funds or time to invest in hiring someone but you don’t know where to start with DIY.
You need a cost-effective and time-efficient solution for launching your online presence without compromising on quality.
You want a beautiful and functional brand and website without having to learn how to create it from scratch.

The WORST times to use a template to build your brand

Templates might be an incredible resource for a lot of reasons, but they aren’t a catch-all solution either. Almost 90% of the time a template could be the best solution, but there are times when it’s more beneficial to opt for the custom investment.

There will come a point in your business when you’re ready to scale your business beyond imagination but you can’t handle it on your own anymore and need higher level strategy and design to match your level of expertise. Congratulations because at this point you’ve reached a new level of brand building that requires more attention to detail, refined solutions, and top-level support to execute your vision.

Even if you know you’re ready it can still be a nail-biting situation to take that leap and make the investment for custom. Here’s another checklist to ease your fears.

5 signs you’re ready to upgrade to custom:

You’ve outgrown that templated logo or site design that helped you get started.
Your current logo isn’t conveying the high-end quality of the services you now offer.
You feel like your brand is all over the place and want to look more cohesive.
Your brand has served you well, but it doesn’t quite align with where your business is at now.
You need more functionality and integrations built into your website.

How to make a template work for you

Your business can thrive with a template. I promise. But it can’t thrive without some strategy and thought behind it. It’s not about what the front end looks like. It’s about taking the time to figure out what pages you need, how things need to be organized and structured, how things need to function, and what your copy will say.

There’s a certain way to approach building your brand and website, even with a template. Doing things in the right order helps the process go much smoother and results in a better outcome, which means your website will actually be effective and not just something pretty sitting at your domain.

Recap

When done right, templates are truly the best option for getting your brand online. There are so many benefits to utilizing a good template, especially in the beginning. But the key is making sure you’re using the template the right way to really get the most out of it.

And when you reach the point in your business where you have outgrown the template, you’ll know it. Then, custom branding solutions will serve your business even better because you built a stronger foundation in the beginning instead of jumping straight to the coveted custom design.