Templated Websites

[justy540]

This kills me to say, but I may want to start selling templated websites. People are just so cheap nowadays and want everything for free or next to free, I'd like to expand my offerings to include templated websites but don't know where to start. I could build my own templating system, but I'd prefer not to. My experience and all of my equipment/software is Microsoft, so I'd prefer .NET over PHP/RoR/Python etc.

Has anybody had success with this on a Windows platform?

Thanks
JM

[chrispalko]

I completely understand you when it comes to people (especially business owners) being so cheap nowadays.

I don't think there is anything wrong (at least not anymore) with selling templates or template sites. I'm finding that it's simply not worth the time and energy to go after clients worth working with.

I just started a web hosting company and I'm pushing the DIY sitebuilder that I offer as much as possible. Residual income, less work...I win.

Though, as a web developer, it's tough to even tell someone to consider a template site. Put your pride aside and do what's in your best interest. Good luck and report back!

[myfayt]

I am a freelance web designer and 4 out of 5 clients I get want to pay $100 or less for like a $700 website. Plus they come back in 48 hours and ask if its done yet, and if not they usually cancel saying I am too slow. I wish people understood that web design takes awhile when you are doing 2,000 lines of coding.

Few people like pre-made templates, most of the ones I see what custom ones how they want it, or custom to their company.

I do PHP, .NET is too hard for me to figure out.

[chrispalko]

Right, they want a custom site at a template price within an impossible timeframe...

[ACMAir]

I'd assume most people wouldn't even be able to tell the difference if it was a template or custom design. Templates have become increasingly creative and appealing nowadays.

[Exact]

I have a web design firm and have run into this same problem. Our solution has been to use off-the-shelf products like DNN and Wordpress when someone wants a web site on the cheap. We explain up front that they are only getting limited customizations for the price that they are paying and they have to build out all of the content using the CMS. Most customers have been OK with this.

[justy540]

YEah,
I'm having some luck with DNN, Blogengine.Net and yetanotherforum.net. I think I'm going to stay away from the templayte sites for now. I don't want to get stuck in a rut where all of my projects are $500 and under. That's not a way to get ahead.

[Exact]

I agree. I am also a .NET developer, which I find to be a superior (more powerful) development platform than others such as ColdFusion, PHP, and even Java. Building your own templating system is actually not a bad idea, particularly if you service a lot of customers in the same industry and can customize the system to that industry. Unfortunately, my company does not have this luxury although I have often thought of building my own system. I especially thought this after looking at Yahoo store which is just plain awful and people pay $40 per month and up to use.