With over 193 million active websites and thousands more popping up daily, building one that stands out can feel almost impossible. Chances are, someone else is already using the design you have in mind or running an online business similar to yours, making it a little difficult to build a unique brand identity. That’s why relying on a cookie-cutter template or chasing trends won’t cut it.
If you’re just launching your brand, you likely have limited resources. Professional web design services cost a small fortune, and there’s no guarantee the results will meet your expectations. The alternative is to use website design templates with fully customizable layouts.
For example, Wix offers more than 2,000 templates for tech companies, online stores, creative professionals, and other businesses. Once you’ve found a good match, personalize its layout, typography, color scheme, and other elements to create something truly unique.
The best part? You don’t need coding skills to build a site that reflects your unique brand identity, personality and voice. A well-designed template makes everything easier, although you still have to put in some legwork. Here’s how to get started.
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A website template is a pre-designed layout for your site, blog, or landing page. All you need to do is replace the demo content with your own text and visuals, but you can also customize the menu, fonts, colors, and other design elements.
Take Wix, for instance. Once you’ve chosen a template, you can add, remove, or rearrange sections and content blocks via a drag-and-drop interface. The platform also features AI-powered tools for generating content and images.
Another option is to start with a blank template, which includes only a navigation menu and predefined sections. This gives you full creative control, as you can choose the colors, visuals, and layout from scratch.
The level of customization depends on the platform. Some website builders let you customize everything, while others only allow basic tweaks like changing images and fonts. That’s why it’s important to research your options and choose a site builder that offers the flexibility you need.
Anyone can use templates to build a website from the ground up. The problem is that many users stick to basic adjustments, resulting in generic-looking sites. For example, dental websites often look almost identical, featuring the same layout, stock photos, and content blocks.
The template you choose is just the starting point. Here’s how to customize it to create a website that reflects your unique brand identity and drives conversions.
Most templates have a demo version or placeholder content that shows what your website could look like. The first thing you should do is replace this content with your own text and visuals, including:
These tweaks will give your site a distinct look, ensuring it matches your unique brand identity. At the same time, they can help you avoid copyright issues, as some templates include stock photos you’re not licensed to use.
Your template has a predefined color palette, but that doesn’t mean you should leave it as is. Instead, adjust the colors to reflect your brand and drive conversions.
For instance, pastel colors are associated with femininity, joy, calmness, and optimism. By contrast, neon colors create a sense of urgency, evoking strong emotions.
Let’s see other examples:
According to the Journal of Marketing and Social Research, color can influence up to 60% of a consumer’s decision to accept or reject a product. It can also increase brand recognition by as much as 80% and boost readership by 40%.
Given these aspects, use a color palette that resonates with your customers and reinforces the message you want to convey. You might love pink or yellow, but if you’re targeting business executives or healthcare professionals, stick with blue, black, green, or neutral tones.
Some templates include AI-generated photos you can use to promote your business. While convenient, this option makes it difficult to create a unique site and drive brand recognition.
Ideally, hire a pro to take product photos, behind-the-scenes shots, and videos. If you’re trying to keep costs low, take your own photos and use free tools like Wixel or the Wix Photo Studio to edit and retouch them.
As your business grows, ask customers to submit product photos. For example, if someone bought a hoodie from your brand, they could send you a selfie wearing it. Publish it on your site and social media channels to showcase your product in real-life scenarios.
You can also use AI to generate original images, but be transparent about it. 90% of consumers want to know if an image was created with AI, and 98% say authentic photos and videos are essential for building trust.
Website templates include social media buttons by default, but you can go further by integrating Instagram galleries, WhatsApp chat, or custom forms. By doing so, you’ll make it easier for visitors to interact with your brand.
For instance, embedded feeds let customers explore more of your content and stay engaged. Contact forms, on the other hand, give them a direct way to reach out, opening the door to future conversations.
These features also make your website more dynamic, allowing visitors to view your latest social posts, chat live, and stay up-to-date with your brand’s activity across platforms.
Not all templates are designed with accessibility in mind. While some have basic features like proper heading structure and legible fonts, they often fall short in other areas, such as website navigation.
Review the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), then adjust your site as needed. For example, you could add video subtitles and captions, include descriptive alt text, and enable keyboard navigation.
These changes can help you improve the user experience (UX) and grow your reach. Good UX makes your content more appealing to both visitors and search engines, potentially increasing traffic and conversion rates.
Building a unique website for your brand takes time and effort, but you don’t have to do it all at once. Start with a customizable template, then make small adjustments to personalize its layout and overall look.
First, remove any sections you don’t need right away. Next, replace placeholder content and adjust the color palette. Upload original images, embed your social media feeds, and provide visitors with multiple ways to engage with your brand. Last but not least, keep an open mind and experiment with different approaches. Since your website is new, you don’t know what works and what doesn’t. So, test your ideas, track the results, ensure it reflects your unique brand identity, and adjust as you go.
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