The choice between a ready-made template and a custom UX/UI project on the Webflow platform is a decision faced by more and more companies investing in their new website. Ready-made Webflow templates tempt with fast deployment and low price, but do they actually meet the expectations of demanding businesses?
In a marketing and technology industry, where brand uniqueness and thoughtful user experience (UX) become the foundation of competitiveness, off-the-shelf solutions can bring more limitations than benefits. So we'll take a closer look at why, despite the higher costs, designing a website from scratch with a professional designer often proves to be a strategically better choice — and what benefits it can bring to the business.
What are Webflow templates?
If you are reading this article, you probably know what Webflow is. So let's get to the concrete about templates/themes.
Webflow offers ready-made templates that are predefined website layouts, designed for different industries and needs. These templates allow users to quickly create pages, offering a thoughtful structure and aesthetic that can be customized to suit your own content and brand style. For many small businesses and freelancers, templates are an attractive solution — they save time and reduce implementation costs, which is especially valuable on a limited budget. With Webflow's advanced customization options, users can modify colors, fonts, and also add visual effects, which gives a certain level of personalization.
However, despite the fact that templates allow you to quickly deploy the site, they have their limitations. Ready-made solutions may not meet the needs of companies looking for a unique look or more advanced features, which makes them often only a transitional stage before a company decides on a custom UX and UI design.
Webflow templates - why do they seem attractive?
Ready-made templates in Webflow have gained popularity especially among small and medium-sized businesses that want to quickly get online without straining their budget. The cost of buying such a template is usually within the limits 50-150 USD, which makes it a relatively cheap option compared to a full design service. An additional advantage is the possibility of immediate implementation of the website, which - with minimal modifications - takes only a few days. In a world where time is the currency, such a prospect can be tempting for companies in need of quick effect.
Designed by professionals, these templates offer ready-made layouts, functional structures, and often pre-installed animations, which gives the site a modern look. They seem the perfect choice “for now”, offering a simple but effective visual and functional base. However, on closer inspection, the question arises: will the finished template really meet all the needs of the company in the long term and allow it to stand out in the market? It is these issues that often only become apparent after the first months of use.
Limitations of Webflow templates
Although ready-made templates are easy to use and quick to implement, they are associated with certain limitations that can negatively affect the development of the company and its presence on the Internet. First of all, Webflow templates are designed with a mass audience in mind, which means that their aesthetics and structure are often very versatile. Versatility, although attractive at first, quickly becomes a disadvantage for a company wishing to build unique, distinctive image. Such a generic design may not reflect the unique character of the brand, nor arouse emotions that make users want to stay longer on the site. Besides... what self-respecting company will accept the graphic design of a website that many other companies can have? The competitors as well?
However according to the Adobe report, 38% of users stop visiting a website if its appearance is unattractive. This clearly shows that ready-made templates, while tempting in terms of cost, may not provide enough visual value to attract users.
This translates directly into the bounce rate — for sites with average UX/UI it is often 70% or more, which means that most visitors leave the page quickly. In contrast, well-designed, custom UX/UI pages are able to reduce this rate even to 20-30%, which significantly increases user engagement and time spent on the site. Thus, investing in an individual approach can prove to be more profitable, especially for companies that want their website to be a place to build long-term relationships with customers.
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Industry analyses
Reports and analyses point to some interesting facts about the effectiveness of ready-made Webflow templates compared to individually designed solutions. For example, WebClaw report points out that while templates are more cost-effective and quick to deploy, their flexibility is limited, making them less suitable for projects that require unique visual solutions or high scalability. Custom designs provide greater control over the design and allow for tailoring to the specific needs of the brand, which is important for booming businesses or more advanced functionalities such as extensive or interactive websites.
In turn Flow Ninja analysis also confirms that although Webflow offers a wide range of ready-made templates with the option of customisation, their limitations can be a barrier for companies that want to stand out visually. These templates can be great for simple projects on a budget, but for long-term solutions, investing in an custom UX/UI project is more cost-effective and offers more customisation options.
Hidden challenges of ready-made Webflow templates
While ready-made Webflow templates may seem like a convenient solution, their quality can sometimes vary. Many are designed in a sloppy or overly elaborate way, which means that implementing such a template can require significant work. Often, after purchase, it turns out that the template needs to be optimised - removing unnecessary elements, simplifying the code or improving the structure to make the site light and load quickly. Failure to make these improvements can lead to page load and negatively impact performance, which is a significant issue in the context of users' growing expectations for page load speed. Ultimately, in order to achieve a satisfactory result, companies often have to invest additional time and resources in improvements or opt for a full redesign of the project.
The role of professional UX/UI design
Professional UX/UI design is not just a matter of aesthetics — it's a deeply thought-out strategy that focuses on creating experiences designed specifically for the brand's target audience. Unlike a ready-made template, which can be implemented in a matter of days, a custom project takes time, and the entire process can take from 4 to 12 weeks. Such an investment of time allows the project team to deeply understand the business objectives of the company, analyze the needs of the audience and plan every element of the site, from functionality to micro interactions.
The cost of a custom project, which is from $5,000 to up to $50,000, may initially be a deterrent, however, research shows that a well-designed interface It can increase conversion by 200%. Professional UX/UI design also allows you to optimally layout call to action (CTA) buttons, shopping paths and adapt the visual style of the website to a consistent brand aesthetic. A website optimized for UX/UI has a better chance of attracting and retaining the user. As Forrester Research predicts, investments in UX can pay off even up to 10 times the cost, each US dollar invested can bring an average 100 $ profit, which makes UX one of the most effective forms of investment in digital technology.
As he says Jacob Nielsen, pioneer in the field of utility:
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This phrase aptly highlights the importance of creating websites with the user in mind. Professional UX/UI design is a tool that combines aesthetics with functionality, creating an environment in which the user wants to stay longer, which in turn translates into brand success.
Cooperation with Webflow agency provides an opportunity for close consultation at every stage of the project. This process begins with workshops and moodboards, which allows designers to understand the brand's vision and adapt it to the preferences of the target audience. Thus, a product is created that not only meets functional requirements, but also arouses emotions, builds trust and creates a brand image as a leader in its industry.
88% of consumers are less likely to return to a website after a negative experience. This result from the report The Gomez Report on “Why Web Performance Matters” shows that users expect seamless navigation and functionality, and a failed first impression can permanently discourage returning.
Long-term value of investment in a professional project
The decision to invest in a custom UX/UI design is not just an aesthetic choice — it is a strategic step that can bring long-term benefits to the company. Although creating a website from scratch with the help of a professional agency involves a higher initial cost than buying a template, this investment quickly proves to be profitable. The website designed by an experienced team not only effectively supports brand building, but also contributes to increased conversions and customer loyalty.
A website optimized for UX/UI is distinguished by higher performance and better visibility in search engines. Professional design gives full control over the technology and code of the site, which allows precise adjustment of SEO elements to the specifics of the industry and target group. As a result, pages created by agencies often rank higher in search results, attracting more organic traffic, which has more value than paid advertising campaigns.
Companies that decide to take an individual approach to the project avoid the risk that their site will lose its relevance or fail to meet changing market requirements. This long-term approach makes it easy to introduce new features and changes tailored to evolving user needs and technology developments. Investing in a professional website design is therefore not only building an image, but also a real business benefit, gaining an advantage over the competition, which was limited to ready-made templates.
If You must choose a Webflow template…
While we strongly recommend investing in a custom UX/UI design, we understand that this isn’t always feasible, especially with limited budgets or tight timelines. In such cases, to minimize risks and ensure quality, it’s wise to choose a template from a reputable source. Here are a few reliable catalogues:
- Webflow Template Marketplace – The official Webflow marketplace, offering a wide selection of both free and paid templates organized by industry. It’s a go-to for diverse options, from simple business sites to more advanced e-commerce setups: Webflow Templates.
- Flowbase – A popular resource offering well-crafted, free and premium templates. Flowbase also provides additional resources and tools that support Webflow customization, making it easier to personalize designs: Flowbase.
Using these resources can help expedite the website creation process, but remember that purchasing a template is often only the beginning. For optimal performance and alignment with brand standards, additional optimization and customization may still be necessary.
Webflow templates - summary
Ready-made Webflow templates can be an attractive startup solution, offering fast deployment and lower cost. However, for companies that want to stand out in the market, build a unique image and attract customers with a unique user experience, an custom UX/UI design is an investment that pays off quickly. A professionally designed website is not only aesthetics, but also functionality tailored to the needs of the brand, thanks to which it is possible to achieve better business results, SEO optimization and scalability as the company grows.
The decision to choose between a template and a custom project should be dictated by a long-term strategy. While initial savings may be tempting, it's worth considering the benefits of a unique, personalized design that responds to real user needs and strengthens your brand identity. In a world where first impressions often determine success, professional website design becomes a key element of competitiveness in the market.
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