How to Choose the Right Website Template for Your Business

Let’s be honest, picking a website template can feel overwhelming. There are thousands of options, and they all look good. But when it comes to building a website that actually works for your business, not just any pretty layout will do.

Your website isn’t just a digital flyer. It’s your brand’s online home, sales tool, and first impression, all rolled into one. So, how do you choose a website template that does more than just look cute?

Here’s your step-by-step guide.

1. Know Your Website’s Purpose

Before you scroll through another template gallery, ask: What do I need this site to do?

• Sell products? (eCommerce)

• Book clients? (Service-based)

• Show off work? (Portfolio)

• Share content? (Blog or media)

The best templates are purpose-driven. For example, a photographer’s site will need bold visuals and a gallery. A coach’s site should highlight testimonials, lead magnets, and booking forms.

Pro tip: Choose a template built for your industry or use case. It'll save you hours of custom tweaks.

2. Match Your Brand Vibe

Your website should instantly feel like you. If your brand is bold and modern, don’t choose a soft, minimal template (even if it’s trending). If your tone is luxe and elegant, skip anything overly playful.

Look at:

• Fonts and typography

• Color schemes (can you customize them?)

• Layout flow (clean, dynamic, editorial, etc.)

Your visuals should support your message, not contradict it.

3. Check for Mobile Optimization

More than half of your traffic will probably come from phones, especially if you promote your business on social media. Your site has to look just as good on mobile as it does on desktop.

Look for templates that are labeled "mobile responsive" or offer previews for different screen sizes.

4. Make Sure It’s Easy to Customize

Even the best template needs tweaks. Make sure yours is:

• Drag-and-drop friendly (if you're DIYing)

• Compatible with your platform (like Showit, Squarespace, Shopify, or WordPress)

• Easy to edit sections like navigation, footer, forms, and galleries

Templates should give you a strong start, not box you in.

5. Consider SEO & Performance

Your template should include:

• Clean code

• SEO-friendly structure (like headings, meta fields, alt text)

• Blog or content support, if you plan to use it

Your site isn’t just for looking good, it’s for getting found.

6. Bonus: Look for Strategic Sections

The best templates include pre-built sections that drive conversions, like:

• Testimonials

• Calls to Action (CTAs)

• Newsletter signups

• Contact or booking forms

If your template includes these, or makes them easy to add, you’re golden.

Not Sure Where to Start? Joa Creative Lab Can Help.

If you’re stuck between templates, don’t worry, we've got you. At Joa Creative Lab, we help creatives and small business owners find, customize, and elevate website templates that actually work for their brand and goals.

Whether you need a full website build or just want help choosing the right template, we’re here to guide you.

👉 Take the quiz and find your perfect match