Some advice pleeeaassee!

[pavsid]

Hi all,

I have no problem admitting that i am useless at design, i consider myself more a developer if i may. Problem is that i want to build my own website which offers design & developing services. I've come up with a design of my own, and after days wasted on it have decided that i'm just not gonna be able to come up with something 'impressive' and professional looking.

I haven't found a designer to do the designs for me yet but initially i was hoping to rely on templates anyway.

So, the question is:

Is it ok to use a template for my own site - what are the chances of someone recognising it as a template?

Also, is it ok to use templates for customer's sites? And do you have to tell them that it's a template? What if they see another site out there almost identical to theirs? Can you justify charging hundreds of dollars for a $50 template?

Eventually, all designs will be done 'inhouse' but until i can warrant employing a designer i simply haven't the time or money to spend on attempting to do my own or pay someone else...

[6StringGeek]

I don't think I have ever seen two sites that looked identical. Templates are fine for developing, but the coding generally leaves a lot to be desired. You should try and clean that up as best you can and make sure the code validates since you want the customer to have a good product.

And, you have to be honest about your business processes if you want to run an honest business.

[pavsid]

Thanks for that, have always been nervous of using templates but now i see no option. Besides, it leaves more time for the actual developing which is the main focus

[skilled1]

as far as a template for a client's website, i wouldn't recommend it.

as far as replicating code ie css betwen websites, then tweaking it for a new client, that is acceptable.

when using a 'template' charging them thousands of dollars for someone else's work is not the way to do it, if they provide you a template, and you have to do a ton of work to it to get it to work for their needs, then you charge them for your time.