TemplateMonster Review 2019: Are the Designs Worth the Money? - Top Ecommerce Platforms
TemplateMonster Review 2019

TemplateMonster Review

The design is a make-or-break part of every website. With topnotch functionality and easy navigation, you can easily attract more audience to buy your products or patronize whatever you’re giving them. This makes professional website templates indispensable tools to set up a website’s look without the frills.

Words like ‘themes’ and ‘designs’ are common among web developers. However, for non-techie individuals, building their own theme by scratch requires a Mensa-level of coding. Except if you choose TemplateMonster.

 

Background of TemplateMonster

The TemplateMonster was founded in 2002 and supplies themes for various website platforms, mostly CMS website builders and online store website template options.

During this time, TemplateMonster only offers exclusive themes that are only supported by their in-house tech team. But in 2017, TemplateMonster finally opened its doors to other website templates developers.

This opened up to more products and better support for each template. Right now, there are over 20,000 products offered in TemplateMonster with hundreds more added every month.

PROS

  • Very large selection of website designs
  • There are free templates
  • Honest pricing
  • Covers a variety of industries
  • 24/7 support
  • Excellent vetting system

CONS

  • Some coding skill might be needed
  • The add-ons and customizations are quite expensive

 

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Available products

TemplateMonster offers standard HTML templates for websites, e-commerce stores, content management systems, and other platforms.

The good thing about their themes is that each one is feature-rich and targeted to increase navigation as well as visual appeal.

To give you an idea, here are some of the platforms where TemplateMonster’s designs work:

  • WordPress
  • Shopify
  • WooCommerce
  • Magento
  • Joomla
  • Moto CMS
  • Drupa
  • BigCommerce
  • ZenCart
  • OpenCart

Aside from the templates, there are other products that you can avail. Here are other options available inside the TemplateMonster store:

Full-spectrum website design. If you want to build your website from scratch, you can avail website building services. It’s available from Weblium.

Exclusive licensing options. For those who want a product website template that’s exclusive for your website, TemplateMonster also offers the ‘Zero Download’ designs.

Add-ons and integrations. There’s a great reason why TemplateMonster is a haven of website developers and designers. Their platform sells a lot of editing, designing, and customizing add-ons that will up the ante of your website.

More templates. TemplateMonster isn’t just a source of website designs, there are also templates for Keynote presentations, PowerPoint presentations, resumes, logos, and certificates.

 

Features

TemplateMonster’s website templates are all packed with functionality and features that are for the money. The only challenge here is to find one that actually suits your needs.

It’s easy to pick a template that appeals to you at first glance, but it’s a different story when it comes to fully suit your niche. In TemplateMonster, this process is very easy.

Their store allows multiple filters based on the features that you’re looking for. These are divided categories with tons of sub-categories. You can browse Features, Functionality, Animation, and more.

Also, make sure that you’re scouting for templates that are compatible with your platform – WordPress, Joomla, Shopify, and so on.

It could take time, but we suggest that you peruse all the features on the lists. This way, you won’t miss any of the important specs of the templates.

You can have better chances of finding the best template by trying it out on the Live Demo portion. Usually, it will be displayed as an advertisement website where most of the functionalities are in place.

Also, take your time to dig on the Feature Listing of each template. This gives you an idea about what’s included in the design. This may or may not include the number of available sections, products, testimonials, maps, social feed, custom content, and more.

Ease of use

Here, let’s take a look at two aspects: the templates and the platform itself. The marketplace itself is highly navigable and you just need to understand the format of the store to browse among its products.

You have the option to shop by product or limit your options by going straight to the platforms listed on top of the home page.

Once you choose the platform, you will be directed to a page where you can limit your options further. The templates are filed by niche so you can easily pick one with the right features.

Here, we chose TemplateMonster for WordPress. Here are the current options:

If you want to scout templates based on features, there’s a separate list just below the above photo. All of the themes have a Live Demo button where you can easily check the feel of the theme before purchasing it.

Once you chose a theme, you also have the freedom to tick some add-ons below with an added price. This is very convenient for website builders since they no longer have to source the integration to other marketplaces.

System requirements

Each template comes with system requirements. You have to consider the web host to which the template will be installed, what you will operate with the theme, and other aspects.

Here’s an example from one theme we’ve checked. Just click “View Details” then scroll a bit to find the “Detail” tab of the theme:

Aside from system requirements, there are also software recommendations related to using the theme. These requirements vary widely and mostly unique for each theme.

In the case of Shopify and other fully hosted platforms, there is very little legwork to do. But when it comes to open-source CMS like WordPress, you need to have a little knowledge about the technicalities of setting up a website or even coding at some point.

 

Compatibility

In line with the system and software requirements, it’s imperative that you check if the hosting to which you’re going to install the theme is compatible.

This is very easy to check since each theme from TemplateMonster comes with version compatibility. For example, if you’re using WordPress, the details of the theme will include the version on which it will perform best.

Here’s a quick look on a theme’s compatibility features under the “Details” tab as well:

In case the template doesn’t work well even after you satisfy all the compatibility requirements, TemaplateMonster will rectify it within 72 hours. Take note, though, that compatibility issues due to third-party systems aren’t covered by this guarantee.

Editing and web design

The best thing about TemplateMonster is they give website developers a flexible and convenient marketplace to purchase the tools they need. From elegant themes to add-ons, you can easily find it in their marketplace.

Aside from the actual theme that you’ll see on the live demo, make sure that you explore more features. Sometimes, there are themes available in a different skin or “child” theme. This adds more edge for website developers and designers.

When it comes to the coding level, you have to check it with the individual theme. Sure, there are templates in TM advertised to be code-free, but one time or another, you’d need to venture into this technical aspect.

If you’re not skilled to handle the installation and coding that comes with the theme, you can simply avail the in-house installation that TemplateMonster offers. This way, you can skip the hassle.

Integrations

There is a wide range of add-ons that you can find in the TemplateMonster marketplace. Some are very affordable while others will cost around a few hundred dollars.

Still, the consolation here is that TemplateMonster keeps their billing practice clean. You won’t get any add-on that you don’t intend to buy.

Before purchasing the theme, make sure that you didn’t tick any of the integration options.

Also, TemplateMonster offers a theme and plugin editor so you can easily add the functionality into your website.

Another bonus here is that some themes come with pre-loaded plugins for free.

Customer support

You should know that TemplateMonster is already a marketplace and no longer just an exclusive vendor. So once you purchase a theme, the support will come from the specific seller and not TemplateMonster per se.

Still, you can enjoy TemplateMonster’s 24/7 support if you have billing, pre-sale, delivery, and other general issues.

We suggest that you research the vendor first before buying their product. This way, you can guarantee excellent support should you need it in the future.

You don’t have to worry since TemplateMonster has a portal on which you can send your concerns to a specific vendor.

Pricing

The pricing of products in TemplateMonster vary widely depending on the marketplace. The process goes like this: when a vendor submits a theme, it will be checked for quality, features, add-ons and other technical aspects.

After this, TemplateMonster will send the vendor a possible price range for its theme. The vendor can now choose the price within the given range.

But if you’re not here to purchase, you can try one of TM’s 100 free website templates. These are ‘lite’ versions that don’t have any dedicated support. You’ll only get documentation on how to install and use the theme.

Regardless if you’re looking for professional website templates and other document templates, TemplateMonster is a powerhouse marketplace. Just peruse the details and make sure that it matches your chosen platform.

 

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