What is ‘Template Site / Ready Theme’ in Website Design?

For those who want to have a website design, the terms ‘template site’ or ‘template theme’ are unknown concepts. Most of the time, we encounter the term ‘professional design’ as the opposite of this. So, what exactly do these terms mean? Are they just marketing tools, or do they really make a difference in terms of their use and the gains they offer?

Basic Components of a Web Site

There are some basic components that make up a website. Let's remember them briefly:

Website address (Domain): It can be created using paid extensions (.com, .net, .biz, etc.) or free subnames.
Web Space (Hosting): The area where your website will be hosted.
Website Front End (Theme): It is the part that visitors see and this part is usually understood when ‘web design’ is mentioned.
Website Management Software (CMS): It is the background software that allows you to manage the content and operation of your website.

In this article, we will talk specifically about the ‘front-end’ design, which is the visual part of the website that visitors see. This is a design equipped with colours, images, animations and other aesthetic elements. When preparing a website design, customer expectations and tastes play an important role. The solutions offered by the designer company are shaped depending on the needs and economic situation of the customer.

What is a Template Site?

The terms known as ‘template site’ or ‘ready-made theme’ are websites that are selected from a set of pre-prepared designs and personalised by making minor edits on them. These ready-made templates offer various colour alternatives, module positions and different design options. The user creates their own website by choosing among these alternatives.

Template sites are very practical in terms of use and can be managed without any problems after going live. A template-themed website responds to user needs quickly and effectively with simple edits.

Template Site or Original Design?

The biggest problem with using template sites is that some companies offer these sites to customers as ‘original design’ and charge high fees. Especially in the international market, template themes are highly developed and professional-looking, comprehensive themes can be purchased at affordable prices. Many websites prepared in the world are also created using such themes. However, special designs should be preferred for projects that require an original project or a step-by-step planned software development.

Ready Software and Themes

The web design and software industry has developed so much that even content management systems can now be purchased as ‘ready-made scripts’ as a package. For example, web software with specific functions such as a real estate site, florist shopping site, or news site are offered in packages. These packages include not only the software running in the background, but also ready-made themes to be used on the front side. So, it has become quite easy to set up the site.

The advantages of ready-made themed websites are as follows:

Fast Setup: Ready-made templates can be published in a short time.
Low Cost: It is much more economical than custom design.
Flexibility: It offers various colour and design alternatives.
Ease of Use: Management and updates are quite simple.

However, presenting these templates as professional original designs and gaining unfair profit is a problem encountered in the sector.

Be Aware of Template Sites

Our aim is not to criticise or defame anyone. However, as in every little-known sector, there may be a trust problem in the web design sector. In particular, even companies known as ‘corporate brands’ are trying to create the perception of ‘quality = high price’ with sales tactics and technical terms. At this point, it is necessary to be careful and to question whether the themes used are really original.