When looking at the design and layout of your website, you can dress it up as much as you like with graphics, colours and icons, but what about the basic design, do you go for a standard template, or a unique design?

In a perfect world where money was no problem, it would probably be best to go with your own unique design, something memorable and something which will separate you from the crowd. While this would be the preferred route, cost, and actually finding a designer to do what you want is another issue. So what other options are there?

As with all areas of the internet and online business, there are now a number of excellent templates available free of charge, or for a nominal fee. Yet again we have seen the creation of a number of sites which depend upon other forms of income, using their quality templates as a way to entice you to their site. But what are the main downsides to having a freely available template?

There are a number of issues which include :-

Your look and layout may not be unique, in that there could be tens if not hundreds of sites with the same basic design.

While this can cheapen the look of your site a little, even a unique design would still have some kind of backlink on, to advertise the designers skills.

If you are just starting out then a free template would probably be the best way forward, at least in the short term, then as and when the site grows and income begins to flow you can then look at updating the look and feel of your site.

You will require patience with any online business, and it may take some time to get where you want to, but with any luck it will be worth it!