Web Designer vs Templates

Often times, when a person decides they want to start a website, they run into that brick wall that is price. Without having the skills necessary to design and develop their own website, they are forced to hire this out. For just a bare bones, basic brochure-like website (meaning no interactivity or database involved) websites can start at around $2,000 - $5,000 and move up from there. To get a Web 2.0 design (meaning some sort of forum or blog or "cool" features) you can easily get above $10,000 without blinking an eye. Throw in a database or eCommerce functionality and that can double or triple very quickly.

So how do you find a cheap website? Or rather, how can you find a cheap website that doesn't look cheap? The answer is Web Templates.

A web template is a website design that is offered for download for a small price (usually between $20-$120). It includes a sample HTML file and all images you need to get your website up and running. How can they offer it so cheap? Because multiple people can download the same one (and thus the cost of designing it is split between lots of people). The downside is someone can have your same website design, but with such a vast World Wide Web the odds are very slim someone will run into both your website and the other one using the same template. Also, you can make tweaks to it to make it your own (add your own logo, change up the button design, rearrange the page layout slightly, etc).

If you are a complete newbie to websites, you will probably still need someone like me to take the template and add in your own content, set up hosting/URL, tweak it, etc. But you just cut your price down by a couple grand by eliminating a custom web designer, yet you still get a professional looking website for cheap.

Your first step is to check out some template websites such as:

http://www.templatemonster.com
http://www.easytemplates.com
http://icetemplates.net

See if there are any that catch your eye. Then get with an Internet Business Consultant or web developer to have them download the template and insert your content. Depending on how many changes you want and the extent of your content, you can usually have your website up and running for under $1000.

Has anyone used this approach? Would you recommend this for people wanting a quick and cheap website?