Web templates

[Ridge_N]

Hi all.

Just a quick question to those who have had experience in freelance web development:

Is it okay to use Web templates when you have been given a tight deadline?

Kind regards,
Siya

 

[rward]

As long as the license allows it then yes, it's perfectly fine to use a template.

 

[neo_]

For me, it would depend on how well the template is built. In general, I have a policy against using templates at all. I work for a specific degree of quality and, more often than not, cannot provide the client with a high quality outcome if using a template.

Historically, I've used a template once and, unfortunately, it didn't turn out so great in the long run.

My suggestion to you is this: If you can find a template that is relatively easy to work with and is easy to modify to the client's needs, then go for it. Otherwise, the deadline should be moved - the client should try to understand the position of their designer/developer, and set dates accordingly.

Side bar: In a normal situation, I start my sites from scratch, using a flex-box grid framework, and other shiny toys (like lesshat) that speed up design and development. If, however, I have a project with a tight deadline (this has happened to me once), I tend to use Bootstrap and a starter theme that's easy to expand on.

 

[Ridge_N]

For me, it would depend on how well the template is built. In general, I have a policy against using templates at all. I work for a specific degree of quality and, more often than not, cannot provide the client with a high quality outcome if using a template.

Historically, I've used a template once and, unfortunately, it didn't turn out so great in the long run.

My suggestion to you is this: If you can find a template that is relatively easy to work with and is easy to modify to the client's needs, then go for it. Otherwise, the deadline should be moved - the client should try to understand the position of their designer/developer, and set dates accordingly.

Side bar: In a normal situation, I start my sites from scratch, using a flex-box grid framework, and other shiny toys (like lesshat) that speed up design and development. If, however, I have a project with a tight deadline (this has happened to me once), I tend to use Bootstrap and a starter theme that's easy to expand on.

Okay. I see, thanks. Yeah I use bootstrap a lot of the time anyway. But ya I'll do some good digging around to find good ones for that project.

 

[Thor]

For me, it would depend on how well the template is built. In general, I have a policy against using templates at all. I work for a specific degree of quality and, more often than not, cannot provide the client with a high quality outcome if using a template.

Historically, I've used a template once and, unfortunately, it didn't turn out so great in the long run.

My suggestion to you is this: If you can find a template that is relatively easy to work with and is easy to modify to the client's needs, then go for it. Otherwise, the deadline should be moved - the client should try to understand the position of their designer/developer, and set dates accordingly.

Side bar: In a normal situation, I start my sites from scratch, using a flex-box grid framework, and other shiny toys (like lesshat) that speed up design and development. If, however, I have a project with a tight deadline (this has happened to me once), I tend to use Bootstrap and a starter theme that's easy to expand on.

I assume you use flex above bootstrap because it is lighter? I remember flex a little bit it's very similar to bootstrap is it not?

 

[neo_]

I assume you use flex above bootstrap because it is lighter? I remember flex a little bit it's very similar to bootstrap is it not?

For the most part, I tend not to make use of UI frameworks like Bootstrap. Flex us just a layout system, whereas Bootstrap is a complete framework.

This is the flex-box grid that I've started using: http://flexboxgrid.com/
Then, for UI, I build that myself.

 

[Hackson]

I see you have already kind of found an answer but I want to add this: Do not reinvert the wheel.

I have been in situations where a client would complain when I give them something that looks too common, change a few things and they suddenly love my product. What you need to focus on is being creative with the templates that you pick out. Look at Wordpress for example. Many people are happy with that it is nothing more that reused theme/templates.ss

Please do me a favour and check out mdl (Material Design Lite). A cool design language right now and so much easier to customise and rework, especially for mobile.

 

[Thor]

For the most part, I tend not to make use of UI frameworks like Bootstrap. Flex us just a layout system, whereas Bootstrap is a complete framework.

This is the flex-box grid that I've started using: http://flexboxgrid.com/
Then, for UI, I build that myself.

Ahhhhh okey yes that makes a lot more sense

 

[neo_]

I see you have already kind of found an answer but I want to add this: Do not reinvert the wheel.

I have been in situations where a client would complain when I give them something that looks too common, change a few things and they suddenly love my product. What you need to focus on is being creative with the templates that you pick out. Look at Wordpress for example. Many people are happy with that it is nothing more that reused theme/templates.ss

Please do me a favour and check out mdl (Material Design Lite). A cool design language right now and so much easier to customise and rework, especially for mobile.

I can agree with this, too. And MDL does look pretty cool.

 

[Ridge_N]

I see you have already kind of found an answer but I want to add this: Do not reinvert the wheel.

I have been in situations where a client would complain when I give them something that looks too common, change a few things and they suddenly love my product. What you need to focus on is being creative with the templates that you pick out. Look at Wordpress for example. Many people are happy with that it is nothing more that reused theme/templates.ss

Please do me a favour and check out mdl (Material Design Lite). A cool design language right now and so much easier to customise and rework, especially for mobile.

Thanks. I'll check it out.