We don´t like template websites
TL;DR: A website built on a pre-made template may seem like a quick and cheap solution, but in our experience, the end result is rarely high quality. At Give, we focus on custom solutions that look trustworthy, work smoothly, and support business goals. If you want a website that stands out, a template is likely not the best choice. Read more about our approach to website development.
What is a website template?
A website template means the layout and design are already pre-built. You only need to insert your own content. Sometimes, you can adjust the layout or colors.
Templates are available for different platforms like WordPress, Shopify, Webflow, or Squarespace. Here I focus mainly on WordPress, but the same principles apply elsewhere.
Templates come in both free and paid versions. Most cost anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred euros. Be careful with free templates – they may contain security issues or even malware.
Are website templates bad?
Templates have their place. For smaller businesses that don't want to invest in design, they can be a quick fix. Some templates even have better design and code quality than an average custom build from a local agency.
Template development is a big business. Some platforms have hundreds of thousands of paying users and employ skilled designers and developers. So no, templates are not automatically bad.
When is a template a good choice?
If your budget is tight, a template can get you far. In some industries, a custom design isn’t crucial. If the choice is between no website or a basic template, go with the template.
Templates work when you need something fast and branding isn't the priority. At Give, we've used templates for temporary projects or in early content development phases.
Sometimes we create a simple site first, focusing only on structure and content. Once that’s ready, we design a fully custom version based on it.
Why we don’t use templates
For us, everything starts with the problem and the right solution. We value design and want to work with people who do too. A good website requires hundreds of small decisions based on real goals. A custom build allows us to make those decisions freely.
Templates and plugin-heavy builds often require more maintenance and are less stable. The more dependencies in the mix, the higher the risk of something breaking. If bugs come from code we didn’t write, that’s a risk we prefer not to take.
Lack of originality
Template-based websites tend to look the same. The most popular ones are used on tens of thousands of sites.
Even though there are templates for every industry, they're designed to be as flexible as possible. That makes it harder to create something truly personal. Swapping fonts and colors doesn’t make a design unique. Real uniqueness comes from details: content width, spacing, font sizes, button proportions.
Unique branding matters
Your brand needs to stand out and be memorable. A well-crafted visual identity builds trust and supports your sales process.
A template doesn’t have to be a cookie-cutter
Yes, you can build a unique site on top of a template. The problem isn’t the tool – it’s how it's used. Poor results usually come from lack of design thinking or planning.
When design comes first, developers can make better technical choices. That means faster builds and better results.
Don’t reinvent the wheel
Starting from scratch isn’t always smart. Most websites follow known patterns that users recognize. That’s how good UX works.
At Give, we begin by mapping out needs and creating a clear brief. Then comes the design, and only after that do we choose the best tech. We use proven frameworks to create sites that are both unique and reliable.
When something tries to do everything, it does nothing well
Popular templates offer dozens of layout options, but most websites only need one. All those extra features just add bulk.
The more flexible the template, the heavier the code. That slows down load times, which hurts your SEO.
Templates look good with placeholder content
Content and design must work together. We get the best results when content comes before layout. With templates, the layout is fixed first – and the content must fit in afterward.
That limits creativity and often breaks the logic of information flow. The end result tends to feel generic.
When agencies rely on templates, it’s sad
We wouldn’t do this work if we didn’t care about design. Our job is to create emotion and represent brands. Original solutions make the internet a better place.
It’s disappointing to see some agencies use templates for their own sites. It makes you wonder – do they even enjoy what they do? Great design comes from passion.
Too much freedom for the client
It might feel good to have full control over your site. In reality, too much freedom often leads to broken layouts and inconsistent design.
The more settings and options, the harder it is to manage. Menus become confusing. Small changes can cause bugs elsewhere. An experienced builder sees the big picture and avoids this.
A good website should be simple and cohesive. Every page doesn’t need its own layout. Consistency wins.
What are the alternatives?
One of the best alternatives to a WordPress template is Webflow. It’s not for everyone, but for most mid-size projects it works well.
Webflow also has templates, but you can build on them or start from scratch. The platform allows for faster launches, lower maintenance costs, and more control.
Framer sites are best in 2025
Webflow is great. But in 2025, for a small business site, I’d go with Framer.
Yes, it’s a startup, with a subscription fee and things change fast. But for getting a unique, functional website up quickly, Framer is hard to beat.
See how we built the startup website in Framer.
Summary
Templates aren’t evil. They have their place, and there’s no shortage of providers. We just prefer to work differently.
At Give, we focus on custom-built websites because we’ve seen where templates fall short. They tend to break down over time and don’t support a strong brand.
Your website is often the first impression someone gets of your business. Make it count.
If you’re looking for something modern, functional and tailored — we can help.
Learn more at our website development page.