Template Web Sites vs. Custom Web Sites

An agent suggested I post a discussion regarding template based web sites versus custom web sites. There are pros and cons to both solutions. I would suggest real estate agents lean toward template based sites as they consider their design, and I don't mean template based including the content. Read on...

Template Based Sites

A template based web site is one that uses a wrapper (also called shell or skin) to contain the page content. There are two types of template sites. One allows web masters to choose content that is already written. The other provides a wrapper for the agent to insert their own content. DO NOT USE the former. For example, the other day in Google I searched for "new vs resale homes" and in the top 100 results 23 were the same article "10 Secrets Every New Home Buyer Should Know". Using content that has already been written and posted to the internet limits your search engine success. Peolpe are only going to read the #1 result of a duplicate. In some cases hundreds of people have already posted the exact same content. It's OK to use design templates and write your OWN content.

Templates are usually designed with code so that multiple pages can use the same wrapper without managing the same design on every page. The problem with having the same html on every page for the design becomes apparent when the web master wants to update the site design. They have to change the html on every page and that becomes very tedious and time consuming. Just to add a link to every page means opening each page up, pasting the link html into each page in the correct spot and testing each page individually to make sure the update was successful. A template has all of the design code in 1 or 2 files. Changing the code in those pages changes it for all pages.

Most template based sites also run on a database. This allows a developer to build a management page to easily add, update, and delete other pages. Often, when an agent pays for a site from some established company they are given easy to use features like these.

The down sides to using a template system is that an agent looses a little bit of flexibility in designing from page to page. If a page needs a link that shouldn't appear on every page then a work around must be found or the link is placed in the unique content section.

An agent must also know how to use a database and/or programming code other than html (html is technically not code but "markup language" similar to how MS Word formats its text) to build their own template site. In other words most agents have to pay for a template system.

Many agents are using blog tools or other online software to deploy their sites. These are great options for some depending on the solution needed.

Custom Sites

A custom site is one where every page can be designed individually. The benefits to building a custom site include flexibility and a low learning curve.

A custom site is flexible because you can design each page any way you want. It's look and feel can change and the layout can be unique (I strongly recommend keeping a uniform site). Also, a unique set of navigation can be placed on each page.

The learning curve is small as well. Anyone can grab a copy of Front Page or Dream Weaver and start typing away. Agents can design as they learn new techniques.

The major downside is scalability. As more pages are added more time is required to update the site. If you have 1 page and add another page it is easy to link from one to the other. Now imagine you have 50 pages. To add another page and link to it from all pages you have to open 50 files individually and add the links manually. There is nothing automatic about most custom agent sites. If an agent is going to have 5 or 6 pages then this is the cheapest way to develop. If the site may be larger then with each update the agent will lose precious time.

Conclusion

The best solution for most agents is to have a highbred. Use a template site for all design so updating content is easy. Have a unique custom design for the wrapper to make the site stand out. Look for solutions that will save you time and money in the long run.