As you might expect, there are pros and cons to consider when deciding whether to opt for a generic template instead of a custom designed site, unique to your business and your requirements but as the title suggests, here we will concentrate on the cons.

So, why should you not use templates for your website? Well for starters, they are so bloody generic and any designer who uses them for a client’s site, either doesn’t possess a creative bone in his body or is downright bone idle but at very least demonstrates little understanding and even concern for the client and his unique needs.

One of the obvious problems with using templates is that anybody else may use the same. You should know that the better the design is, the more popular it will be and sooner or later you will bump into your clone in cyberspace. Just imagine if that clone is in fact a particularly degrading adult site. How embarrassing could that potentially be for you?

Your template (along with potentially hundreds of others identical to it) will require a certain amount of customising. There is the generic logo or logo placeholder, for example. Replacing it will no doubt mean resizing your current logo at very least, or at worst, could require a complete redesign in order to fit. These prosaic designs insist that you remain within the constraints of it’s design or else accept the consequences and that is not how the design process goes. Web design follows logo design, not the reverse.

The logo is not the only element you will need to alter. There is the text and images to be replaced with your own and so by the time you have actually tweaked it to suit your needs, you may as well have hired a professional to build it from scratch. A word of warning regarding images supplied with templates. Stock imagery rarely comes with copyright permission and by using them in your template, you will often be contravening copyright laws.

Another important issue, although not just restricted to templates, is accessibility or lack thereof. Templates are seldom cross-browser compatible and invariably do not validate according to W3C (World Wide Web Consortium). Any bone fide designer worth his salt should be constructing sites in accordance with W3C. It may not be common knowledge but this is the law! You can easily check any website, web page or template quite simply yourself with the tools found at http://www.w3.org/QA/Tools/.  Use both the Markup Validator and the CSS Validator. If the result is a list of errors, do yourself a favour and walk.

Be aware too, that many unscrupulous so-called designers actually have the audacity to claim that the supplied template is in fact the product of their own creative mind. They are quite willing to claim somebody else’s work as their own. Not only this but they would not think twice about making you pay for the non-existent design work; theft in both cases.

If you ever come across an alleged designer whose very own site is nothing more than a template, I strongly suggest that you keep moving.

Finally, should you decide to take the DIY approach, using a template is a shortcut and like any shortcut, provided you don’t stray too far from the path and you consider the points mentioned above, you should be OK. However, if you are serious about your business and wish to project a professional image, choose a designer.

I am aware that this modest article is not a complete or even a comprehensive contribution to the debate on whether one should or should not use templates and it is by no means a balanced examination of the pros and cons but it may include a few points readers may not have previously encountered and therefore be of some use.

To mark the first ever computer-to-computer link, established on ARPANET (which grew up to become the Internet) on 29^th October 1969, and in an effort to ease the woes of the recession locally, Bendigo Web Design is offering you the chance to win one of 26 awesome prizes worth over $4000, including websites, blogs, domain names and hosting.

Deadline extended to Midnight Friday November 13th, 2009 to get your entries in.

All you need to do is register on the Bendigo Web Design discussion forum and tell us what eye-popping domain name you would register and tell us all about your proposed website. Finally, answer the tie-break question by telling us why you deserve a website.

Your site idea might be a recession-busting business or perhaps you’ve decided that it’s about time your already established local enterprise joined the Noughties. Maybe you would like an online gathering point for a club, society or organisation, a blog for your own personal musings or perhaps something completely kooky. Whatever your reason for wanting an online presence, here and now is your chance!

Remember, the more interesting, entertaining or eccentric your suggestions are, the better your chances are of turning them into reality.

Have more than one idea? Increase your chances of winning by submitting up to 3 separate entries!

Registration is free and painless and you could walk away with one of the following great prizes:

1^st Prize

1 x lucky winner takes home a fully-featured website package incl. 12 months free domain name registration and secure Melbourne-based hosting.

2^nd Prize

2 x lucky winners will receive their very own feature-rich blog site with 12 months free domain name registration and hosting.

3^rd Prize

3 x winners will receive their own personalized email address package free for the first year.

Consolation Prizes

20 x entrants will receive a voucher code for 20% off any website package from Bendigo Web Design.

What’s included?

Your choice from hundreds of themes and templates, custom graphics including a custom designed logo should you require one, a domain name of your choice*, Australian hosting, free management tools, search engine optimization as standard, complimentary search engine and directory submissions, comprehensive traffic statistics, lifetime* of maintenance and technical support, inclusion in forthcoming press releases, hints and tips on how best to promote your new site and the knowledge that your new site is locally built.

*See Competition Rules.

What’s the catch?

There isn’t one! You do not have to order or purchase anything from Bendigo Web Design to take part. It might sound somewhat trite but we really do believe that our local community is an important asset and an essential pool of resources, especially during the current economic blip and so we would be happy to put something back in.

Don’t forget, you have until Midnight Friday November 13th, 2009 to get your entries in.

Good luck!

How to Win Clients During a Recession

The following are just five simple methods to secure new and existing clients during an economic downturn.

1. Revisit Old Leads

Rummage through your desk drawers, cupboards and filing cabinets for old business cards, flyers, pamphlets and brochures. Don’t forget to check that old business suit gathering dust in the wardrobe. In fact, dig out any business literature you may have and start calling your contacts now. It’s likely that you may not come up trumps on your first, second or even third attempt but remain positive and persevere. After all, what do you have to lose?

2. Make Existing Clients Feel Extra Special

Your existing clients are your bread and butter, particularly during lean times and taking the time to make them feel extra special will validate and enforce their decision to remain your client and not defect to the competition.

Send all of your clients a brief email, thanking them for their business and let them know how much you appreciate their loyalty during difficult times. Consider offering them a reward of special discounts or gifts as a measure of your appreciation and don’t forget to include any news of new services or products, future special events or promotions.

3. Be Flexible To Accommodate New Clients

If you rigidly market towards a particular clientele, consider the potential revenue that comes with flexibility. If you previously excluded smaller clients that generate less income, now is the time to reconsider that policy because multiple smaller clients could make the difference between sinking and swimming during a recession.

Where logistically and financially feasible, look outside your familiar geographical target area and market to a wider audience.

4. Increase Your Service Level

During a financial downturn, competitors may decide to undercut each other. By all means, reduce your prices to a manageable level but avoid getting into a price war. Instead, increase your level of service above that of your competitors. Nothing speaks louder than satisfied customers.

Your clients will feel content in the knowledge that they are receiving more than they expect and bending over backwards for them, to the extent of a strained muscle, will pay dividends.

5. Offer Your Clients Something More

Where possible, the provision of additional services to your clients should not cost the Earth but will go a long way to pleasing new and existing customers. Offering additional warranty on products and services, same day or on-site support, a home delivery service, free gift wrapping or just a hand carrying the shopping to the clients car are but a few worth consideration.

We all feel the negative effects of a recession but these few tips should help, even if they serve to inspire you to develop your own alternative means of economic survival. Here at Bendigo Web Design, we go the extra mile as a matter of course for all our clients and in addition to offering free hosting and domain names with all web design projects, every new client receives a free meat pie in Winter and deliciously refreshing sorbet during the hot Summer!

Be inventive and think out of the box.