How To Use Webflow Templates: Tips, Tricks, And Best Practices

Creating a website from scratch can feel like a daunting task—especially if you’re new to web design. Luckily, Webflow offers a simple solution through its versatile and easy-to-use templates. 

Whether you’re launching a personal blog, an e-commerce store, or a professional portfolio, using Webflow templates can significantly speed up the process while maintaining a high standard of design.

In this guide, I’ll walk through everything you need to know about using Webflow templates, from choosing the right one for your project to customizing it for your brand. 

By the end, you’ll feel confident in using templates to create a unique and professional website.

What Are Webflow Templates?

Webflow templates are pre-designed layouts that serve as starting points for your website. 

Now, these templates are built using Webflow’s powerful designer tool and include structured pages, content sections, and design elements like navigation bars, hero sections, and contact forms.

Webflow templates come in various styles, catering to a range of website needs—from blogs and portfolios to e-commerce and business sites. 

Whether you’re looking for a minimalist design or a vibrant, interactive layout, there’s likely a template that suits your needs.

‍Must Read: 25 Best Webflow Templates in 2024

Why Use Webflow Templates?

• Time Efficiency: A Webflow template can reduce the time it takes to build a website by up to 75%, allowing you to focus on content creation and website marketing strategies instead of design and coding.
• Professional Design: Webflow templates are crafted by experienced designers, ensuring you get a visually appealing and modern design.
• Flexibility: Templates are fully customizable. With Webflow’s drag-and-drop editor, you can modify every element to match your brand’s identity.

According to Blue Corona, 48% of people cited a website’s design as the number one factor in determining the credibility of a business. 

Using a high-quality template ensures that your site is both professional and trustworthy from the start.

Disadvantages of Using Webflow Templates

While Webflow templates can be incredibly useful, they also come with a few downsides. Here are some potential drawbacks to consider before choosing a template for your website:

• Limited Originality: Using a pre-designed template means that other websites may look similar to yours, especially if the template is popular. This can affect your site's uniqueness and brand differentiation.
• Customization Complexity: Although templates are designed to be customizable, making advanced changes can sometimes require knowledge of Webflow’s more complex features or even custom code. This may increase the learning curve for beginners.
• Potential Performance Issues: Some templates come with heavy animations, large images, or complex interactions that can slow down your website. Managing these elements for performance optimization can be challenging, especially for non-technical users.
• Dependency on Template Structure: Templates come with pre-set layouts and styles that might limit your creativity. Changing the structure significantly may require a complete redesign or starting from scratch, negating the initial time-saving benefit.

How to Choose the Right Webflow Template for Your Website?

Selecting the right template is the first crucial step. With hundreds of options available in Webflow’s Template Marketplace, making a decision can be overwhelming. 

Here are a few tips to narrow down your choices:

1. Define Your Website’s Purpose

Are you creating an online store, a personal portfolio, or a blog? Each type of website has different design requirements. 

E-commerce templates typically include product pages and shopping cart functionality, while portfolio templates focus on showcasing visual work.

Must Read: Webflow for eCommerce

2. Analyze Template Layout and Design

The layout should support your content and goals. 

For example, if your website will feature lots of images, choose a template with a visually-driven layout that prioritizes gallery or grid sections.

3. Consider Customization Options

Some templates are easier to modify than others. 

Look for templates that offer flexibility in changing colors, fonts, and sections without disrupting the overall structure.

4. Check Responsiveness and Browser Compatibility

Mobile accounts for more than 50% of global web traffic. 

Ensure the template you choose is fully responsive, providing a seamless experience across all devices and browsers.

Must Read: How to Perform Webflow Mobile Optimization?

5. Budget and Licensing

Webflow offers both free and premium templates. 

Premium templates often come with more features and unique designs, starting around $20 and going up to $150 or more. Choose one that fits your budget and licensing needs.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use Webflow Templates

Now that you’ve selected a template, it’s time to start building your website. 

Follow these steps to get the most out of your Webflow template:

Step 1: Finding and Purchasing a Template

To get started, head over to the Webflow Template Marketplace. Browse through categories or use the search bar to find a template that matches your needs. 

Once you’ve found the right one, click “Purchase” or “Clone” if it’s a free template.

Step 2: Adding the Template to Your Project

After purchasing or cloning, you’ll be prompted to create a new Webflow project. 

Select “Create Project,” and the template will be imported, complete with pre-built pages and styles.

Step 3: Customizing the Template

Customization is where you can make the template truly yours. Use the Webflow Designer to edit text, change images, and adjust styles. Here’s how:

• Editing Text and Images: Click on any text or image block and replace it with your own content.
• Styling Elements: Use the Style panel to change fonts, colors, and spacing.
• Adding Interactions: Use the Interactions panel to add animations like hover effects and scroll animations.

Must Read: Custom Webflow Templates for a Unique Website Design

Step 4: Creating New Pages and Sections

You’re not limited to the pages included in the template. Add new pages by duplicating existing ones or creating them from scratch. 

Use Webflow’s pre-built sections (like hero sections or contact forms) to speed up the process.

Step 5: Publishing and Launching Your Website

Once your site is complete, it’s time to publish! Preview your site on different devices to ensure it looks good everywhere. 

Then, set up a custom domain if you have one, adjust SEO settings, and hit “Publish.”

Best Practices When Using Webflow Templates

Using a template is just the beginning. To ensure your website stands out and performs well, follow these best practices:

• Keep SEO in Mind: Customize meta titles, descriptions, and alt texts for images to improve search engine visibility. Follow best SEO practices for Webflow to get optimum results. According to BrightEdge, 68% of online experiences begin with a search engine.
• Optimize for Speed: Compress images and minimize animations to ensure fast load times.
• Maintain Consistency: Keep your design elements like fonts, colors, and button styles consistent across all pages for a cohesive look.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Webflow Templates

1. Layout Misalignments

If sections aren’t aligning as expected, check the padding, margins, and grid settings. Webflow’s built-in guides and tools like “Flexbox” can help adjust alignment.

2. Interaction or Animation Issues

If an interaction isn’t working, ensure that all related elements and triggers are correctly set up. Use Webflow’s “Interactions” panel to debug animations.

3. Styling Conflicts

If a style change affects multiple elements unintentionally, check the CSS class structure. Webflow allows you to create nested classes, giving you more control over styling.

Must Read: Webflow For Non-Designers: Drag & Drop Website Builder For Beginners

FAQs About Using Webflow Templates

1. Can I modify every element in a Webflow template? 

A. Yes! Webflow templates are fully customizable. You can modify everything from text and images to the layout and style elements.

2. What if I want to add new sections or pages not included in the template? 

A. You can easily add new pages or sections using Webflow’s Designer. Start with a blank page or duplicate an existing one to maintain consistency.

3. Are Webflow templates mobile-responsive? 

A. Most Webflow templates are designed to be fully responsive. However, it’s always good practice to preview your site on different devices and make adjustments as needed.

4. How much do premium Webflow templates typically cost? 

A. Premium templates range from $20 to $150, depending on the complexity and features offered. They usually include more design elements and functionality than free templates. Check out a detailed breakdown of Webflow pricing plans. 

5. Can I use a Webflow template for multiple projects?

A. Templates are licensed per project, so you’ll need to purchase or clone them again for additional projects unless the license states otherwise.

Conclusion

Using Webflow templates is a great way to kickstart your web design journey. They offer a solid foundation for building beautiful and functional websites, even if you have little to no coding experience. 

With the right template and a bit of customization, you can create a unique site that reflects your brand and meets your business goals.

Ready to get started? Explore the Webflow Template Marketplace, contact a Webflow Agency and see the perfect template being brought to life.