generic website templates and credibility?

this was just a random thought that crossed my mind, but certainly, using a template (as opposed to a completely original layout) is going to have some sort of impact on how users perceive your site- or blog, even.

I've personally never been all that terrific at creating layouts. I'm not too bad at distinguishing a layout I like from a layout I don't like- but actually creating them? I'm not quite as talented at that bit.

for my commercial sites, I've gone a number of routes. I've paid acquaintances for simple designs (usually something modest, like 100$ or so), and I've taken and modified "completely free" web templates to far beyond the point where they'd be recognizable. I've tried to create my own, but I usually don't end up terribly satisfied with the results.

when's going the template route worthwhile, and when isn't it? it largely depends on what you can get away with- if it's absolutely critical that you need to come off as professional, don't opt in for the cheapest options available to you. if your visitors are more likely to somehow notice it's a template, it's probably not the best idea- you may be able to get away with taking a free obscure web template from somewhere, but using a generic dreamweaver or blogger template for a commercial site is a definite no-no.

if you want a template, but can't afford to pay someone for a complete custom job, you can purchase templates. why bother purchasing them? they're not as available. it'll be much, much less likely that someone would recognize them. if you're going to buy one, you want a reliable company, but hopefully not a huge one- unless they have an absolutely huge inventory (so it'll be less likely that any individual template can be recognized).

what could it potentially impact? return traffic and conversions. this applies to anything you're "selling" though- it doesn't need to be something that's sold for money. if you're trying to pitch an idea, using a template may have an impact on your credibility.

yeah. I really should do something about this blog layout.