Understanding how to choose a website template that's right for you is an important step in getting your site up and running. Selecting the right website template can make a big difference in the overall look and feel of your site, as well as its functionality and usability.
In this article, we'll walk you through some key considerations to keep in mind as you search for the perfect template. We'll cover topics such as aligning your website template with your business goals, selecting a layout and web design that fits your needs, and finding a template that offers the right features for your business. We'll also discuss the importance of customizing your website template to ensure it meets all of your specific requirements.
Tip: When you make a website with Wix, you can change your template as little or as much as you want: Just open the template in the Wix Editor to change the site name, edit content, replace images, delete sections—anything goes. The options are endless.
Check out these free website templates and start creating your own website today.
How to choose a website template
01. Consider your business goals
If you haven't already worked out how to create a website, you’ll first need to decide which template to use. It can be tempting to pick the first template that's visually appealing, but it's also important to remember your website is a marketing tool. In order for it to serve your business, you’ll need to consider how its structure and content aligns with the stages of the marketing and sales funnel: awareness, interest, decision and conversion.
The website template that you ultimately choose should align with your business goals. Here are a few examples:
If you’re a small business owner, you likely want to use your website to convert, or sell products online. Since that’s the last step in the marketing funnel, pick a template with content or features that help customers find you, engage their interest and lead them to make a decision.
If you're a freelancer looking to score a job, you want your CV website to prove to managers you’re the right candidate. Choose a website template that helps improve your visibility among job seekers and shows you’re a good candidate in the first place.
If you’re a creative, choose a website template that sparks interest by displaying your creations (whether their blog posts, artworks, photography or more) in a visually-appealing way. Select works that help you get noticed and generate a dedicated following.
Example of a CV website template that is totally customizable
02. Determine the type of website template you need
Once you’ve defined your goals, the next step is figuring out what type of website template will lay the foundation to achieve them. Start by making a list of all the requirements you’d like your template to have.
We’ll go through the different parts of a website you may want to consider further on. First, decide between making a static vs dynamic website, a one page vs multi-page website and a responsive vs adaptive site.
Static vs dynamic websites:
A static website is one whose content does not change or update automatically. This type of website template suits businesses that don't need to present personalized information, and whose content doesn’t need to be frequently updated. If cost is a consideration, a static website may fit your needs as it requires the least amount of regular website maintenance.
A dynamic website, on the other hand, is one that's designed to update automatically according to user input or other factors. Dynamic websites are often complex, requiring more technical expertise to build and maintain. These are best for businesses that need to present bespoke data, content or products according to the visitor's preferences or location.
One page vs multi-page websites:
In addition to static vs dynamic websites, you'll also need to decide whether you want a one page or multi-page website.
A one page website is a single page that includes all of the content and navigation for your site. For businesses with a limited amount of content or for those who want a minimalistic and easy-to-navigate website. Check out this curated selection one page website examples for some design inspiration, and get started with one of these professionally-designed one page website templates.
A multi-page website, on the other hand, is a website with multiple, linked pages. Businesses with a large amount of content or products to showcase often start with a multi-page website template, as it allows you to organize your content in a logical way. Take a look at these multi page website examples to get you started.
Responsive vs adaptive websites:
A successful website will cater to all users—regardless of what device the visitor uses to access it. Both responsive and adaptive design are the practices of making sure your website looks good on mobile.
Responsive web design is the art of creating pages that rearrange themselves based on the detected screen size. It provides consistent user experience across all platforms, but requires a bit more design experience.
Adaptive web design is an approach where the browser loads a static layout that you've adapted for mobile devices from your site's desktop version. This high performing design approach requires less design effort on your end.
One of Wix's business website templates, on desktop and mobile
03. Pick a website layout
Now that you’ve decided the type of site you need, it’s time to choose a website layout. Decide which format will best serve your audience, allowing them to navigate pages, interact with its content, and achieve their goals. Keep in mind, each page of your site may have a different layout according to its purpose. This is where you may also want to consider how the different parts of a website will come together in one layout.
The layout patterns listed below can suit different types of businesses and goals:
Z-pattern layout: This layout guides the user's gaze in a Z-shaped pattern across the page, making it easy for them to scan and absorb information. Check out these design templates and landing page templates that feature this layout and start creating your own.
Podcast website template with Z pattern format
F-pattern layout: Similar to the Z-pattern layout, the F-pattern guides the user's gaze in a predictable pattern across the page. However, this layout is better suited for text-based content, like a blog.
Full-screen image layout: Great for businesses that want to make a strong visual impact, full-screen layouts allow you to showcase products or services in a visually striking way, either via hi-res video or images. These photography templates and wedding templates often use this layout.
Totally customizable wedding website template
Split screen layout: This layout divides the screen into two sections, which can be used to showcase different types of content or products. Online store templates that offer products for diverse customers often use this layout to emphasize the contrast between different offerings.
Explore these online store website templates now.
Asymmetrical layout: This layout breaks away from traditional symmetrical layouts and can be used to create a more out-of-the-box design. Portfolio templates often use this layout to signal contemporary and innovative design.
Horizontal strips layout: This layout organizes content into horizontal strips, which can be used to highlight different sections of your site or showcase a list of products and services.
04. Decide on website elements, features and functions
While all Wix website templates can be customized to fit your needs, each template includes different elements, features and functions to start with. If you’re looking for the most efficient solution, select one that already supports your business needs and goals.
Tip: Explore the 100s of Wix features available to add to your website template.
Here are a few common website elements and how they might fit with different business goals:
Header
When choosing a template, consider whether it includes a space for your logo in the header. Your logo is an important part of your brand identity and should be prominently displayed on your website.
Tip: Don’t have a logo? Use this tool to make a logo for free.
You can choose from these common types of headers:
Static headers: These headers are fixed in one place on the website and don't move as the user scrolls down the page.
Sticky headers: Sticky headers are headers that remain fixed at the very top of the page as the user scrolls down.
Full-width headers: These headers span the full width of the website and can be used to create a bold and impactful visual element.
Footer The footer of your website is at the bottom section of your site and is often used for things like legal information, contact details, and social media links. When choosing a template, find one that includes a footer to meet your needs.
Navigation menu
A website menu is what guides navigation, linking between the different pages or sections of a site and displaying these options for the user. You can choose between the following common navigation menus:
Horizontal navigation: This is the most common type of navigation menu, where the menu items are displayed horizontally across the top or bottom of the website.
Vertical navigation: Vertical navigation menus are displayed down the side of the website and can be used to create a more organized and hierarchical structure.
Drop-down menus: Drop-down menus allow users to access sub-menu items by hovering over or clicking on the main menu items.
Hamburger menus: These are small icon buttons that open a menu when clicked. Hamburger menus are most commonly used on mobile devices.
Sidebar: A sidebar is a vertical column on the side of your website that can be used to display additional content or links.
Online store template for wellness shop
Content
Your website's content is how you'll communicate with your audience and achieve your business goals. In deciding how to choose a website template, make sure it can display information in a way that's easy to read and navigate. Look at how a website template incorporates:
Text: Text is the most basic and fundamental content, and is necessary for most websites. It’s important to choose a template that allows for readbility, easy formatting and customization of text.
Blog: If you plan to create a blog on your website, it's important to pick a blog template that includes options for displaying articles and topics in a way that is easy to read and discover.
Images and video: Images are a powerful way to communicate with visitors to a website. It’s essential to decide on a website template that allows for easy insertion and displays them in a way that engages visitors. You may also want to explore these display options:
Sliders: Sliders allow users to scroll through a series of images or videos in a slideshow format.
Galleries: Galleries are collections of images that are displayed in a grid or mosaic layout.
Lightboxes Carousels are rotate of images or videos that can be scrolled through by the user. They can be a good option for websites that want to showcase many items in a compact space.
Carousels: Carousels are rotate of images or videos so that users can scroll through them.
Video backgrounds: Video backgrounds are full-screen video loops that play behind the content of the website.
Calls to action (CTAs): CTAs are buttons or links that encourage users to take a specific action, such as signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase. When choosing a template, consider whether it includes CTAs and whether they are prominently displayed in a way that aligns with your business goals.
Social media integration: Many templates allow for easy integration with social media platforms, such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. If you want to connect with your audience on social media, this is a great option for displaying these links.
Events: If you host events or workshops, adding Wix Events to your website can help you promote them and make it easier for your audience to stay up to date or buy tickets.
Product reviews: If you sell products, adding product reviews to your website can help build trust and credibility with your audience and can help drive sales.
Live chat: Having a live chat feature to your website can make it easier for your audience to get in touch with you and can help build trust and credibility with your audience.
05. Think about branding
Branding is an important aspect of any business, and the website template you choose will be a major part of how you present yourself to your audience and should reflect the overall style and tone of your brand. You'll need a well designed website too.
Choosing a website template whose overall layout and design syncs with your brand's style will give you a major head start. For example, if your business is more traditional and professional, choose a template with a clean and minimal layout. If your brand is more creative and playful, find a template with a more unique and expressive layout that you can work with.
06. Find a template that checks most of your boxes
Once you have completed your website template wish list, it’s time to see what’s available. If you're using Wix, go to the Templates Page where you’ll find 800+ templates, all organized into categories for easy browsing. Then, choose whether you’re looking to create a website for a business, store, creative, community, personal or blog endeavor.
If you're looking for a more specific template, hover over each category to discover subcategories like “travel & tourism,” “online store,” “music,” and “education.” You’ll find templates in each category are already set up with popular design trends, layout, features and tools that are in line with the common goals in your industry.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, type keywords from your wish list into the search bar.
07. Customize your template
Now that you've chosen a template you like, click "View" to preview a template or click "Edit" to start customizing it. You can open and save as many new templates as you want to get a feel for them before you decide which works best for you. Think about your branding and desired look and feel (e.g., bold, simple, elegant, playful) and then browse multiple categories to find one that has features you had in mind.
Also, don’t feel limited by the template name or category. Since every template is fully customizable, it’s okay if the content doesn’t exactly match your website topic from the get-go.
When you’re done editing, press ‘Publish’ to share your website with the world.
Wix’s most popular website templates
From Coming Soon landing pages to CV website templates or even personal blog templates, Wix has you covered with a range of fully customizable website templates.
Explore Wix’s most popular website templates to find the one perfect for you.
