Hi all,

 

I create this thread as i have always wondered this, why do webdesign companies use wordpress templates? I just don't see the logic in it, people say it saves time but does it really? I'm a designer and developer, i design in photopshop smash the design up into a wordpress template structure and then code the custom post types & taxonomies. The more i do it, the more better i become.

 

I just feel that hacking about a template to suite someones needs could possible be more time consuming and less precise of what the client wants.

 

Finally, is it dishonest? i see agences charging £1k+ for just modifying templates, does it really save time? or is it just the easy lazy route for some quick cash?

 

Please, educate me!

Edited December 28, 201213 yr by TheNickyYo

That's a tricky question.

 

Most of the times taking a template which already has the right functions with the same layout that the client wants takes much less time than a custom one. Just a child theme on top and there we go. We're talking about 1/3 of the time or more depending on the functions that we want on the theme. Even if you get a lot better on code you'll always have some code that will be exactly the same, some layout that grid will be the same because some people don't really want to spend the money on a custom work. Most of the changes on templates already made aren't really hacks but customizing for a specific need. Then... don't forget that some templates have entire teams of developers making them so... are you really that hardcore of a developer that you're better than them all?

 

Will it ever be a custom? No never!

I still don't agree with frameworks and that kind of approach but that's because i'm designer and i believe that each problem is unique and as a developer I think that this way I reduce the footprint but it takes much much much less time to custom a template and for some clients that don't really have the money well... people have to eat right? I don't have been having works based on templates but maybe I should maybe that's why i dont have much work. I would love to have only custom web work but...

 

So... It really depends on what you're trying to achieve with the theme.

 

It isn't dishonest. Some templates are even made for that kind of thing. You can't really forget about the costs of an agency. 1000k for modifying a template may seem too much but an agency has a lot of overhead and they have always a designer, a developer and sometimes even a copy "just modifying a template". Most of the times you ask those agencies for a custom work under those parameters and you have a budget of 5x more.

 

Some clients don't really want to spend the price of a custom work. In the country I live... well... I just try to get only abroad works because there is no sense on working here. People want websites for less than 90£ but if I wanted to work with these clients I would have to lower my costs and the way to do it would be modifying templates. Still... In my point of view as a designer and a developer... a custom work is always better!

Edited December 28, 201213 yr by Sendoushi

Its not dishonest if the agency clearly states that they are using a template. Also, sometimes the client wants to save time (and money) by using a template, but would rather spend the saved money on advanced functionality of the site

We have had this discussion to death, but just for your benefit I will tl:dr for you.

 

Companies with big money/reputations want bespoke work that fits the companies needs etc.

Clients that are new start ups or have very little funds often will opt for a template option.

 

Offering both as a web design company only makes sense then that way you don't alienate any potential customers and ultimately your one and only goal should be to provide work for your customers that is both honest and professional.

 

Also I highly doubt you designing from scratch and coding it all and adding all the CPTs etc is faster than using a template (hence why generally speaking offering a template solution is cheaper, because its takes a lot less time and skill).

because its fairly easy to use and to upload to a server. Point... its just dang simple

I guess it is the easiest CMS to use, it is also around for a long time so people have been using it for sometime, I would say it is a perfect thing for all those people who don't have much know about web designing and development but still want to make their website themselves.

ITs because they are so easy to use!! with an itegrated CMS so no techie can use it as well

As it is very easy to develope and desigin a website for anyone who wants to add their things on internet in a short time with less amount .