When it comes to building a website for your church, one of the first decisions you'll face is whether to use a template or opt for a custom design.
While website templates offer convenience and affordability, they also come with their own set of downsides.
In this article, we'll delve into the advantages and drawbacks of using website templates to help you decide whether they're the right choice for your church website project.
Pros of Using Website Templates
Cost-Effective
Website templates are often more affordable than hiring a professional church website designer. This makes website templates an appealing option for churches on a budget.
Website builders, such as WordPress and Wix, have thousands of free templates for you to use in building your church website.
Many of these website builders will allow you to build your website for free using templates, although there may be a cost to publishing and/or hosting your website on their servers.
Time-Saving
With website templates, you can get your site up and running quickly.
Templates are pre-designed and pre-coded, so you can skip the lengthy design and development process associated with custom-built websites.
Once you fill in your church's information and upload a few pictures, your church website will essentially be complete.
User-Friendly
Most website templates are user-friendly and require little to no coding knowledge.
With drag-and-drop editors and customizable features, you can easily personalize the template to suit your brand and preferences.
If you are a smaller church, chances are you may not have someone on your staff or in your church that is versed in website design. That might be a reason you consider building a website using a pre-made template.
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Cons of Using Website Templates
Limited Customization
While templates offer flexibility, they also come with limitations in terms of customization.
You may find it challenging to implement unique features or design elements that aren't supported by the template.
This can be frustrating for churches whose vision is hindered by the limitations of their template. Furthermore, it may be the case that the template simply cannot accommodate the needs of your church's website.
Generic Design
Since website templates can be used by multiple users, there's a risk of your site looking similar to others using the same template.
This lack of uniqueness can diminish your brand identity and make it harder to stand out from other church websites. It can be awkward when the church right down the street has the exact same website as your own.
The great advantage of having a custom website is that you never deal with a boring, cookie-cutter website. You church website will uniquely demonstrate your church's value, beliefs, and personality.
Dependency on the Template Provider
When using a website template, you're reliant on the template provider for updates, support, and bug fixes.
This means that if you encounter a mistake or error within your template, you will not be able to fix it on your own.
If the provider discontinues the template or goes out of business, you may encounter difficulties in maintaining your website in the long-term.
On the other hand, having a dedicated website design expert will eliminate a lot of the hassle you experience with templates. Anything and everything can be changed, fixed, and/or updated to accommodate your church's needs now and in the future.
Limited SEO
Some website templates may not be optimized for search engines out of the box, potentially impacting your site's visibility and ranking in search results.
Customizing the template for SEO purposes may require additional effort and expertise that your church may not have.
Having a website is not good if people cannot find your site on Google and other search engines. Many templates are not responsive either!
Conclusion
Using website templates can be a viable option for churches looking to create a professional online presence quickly and affordably.
However, it's essential to understand the limitations and drawbacks of templates and carefully consider your specific needs and objectives before making a decision.
Your friends at Divine Digital Design are committed to building custom church websites that meet the unique needs of online ministry.
