Thursday, January 23rd
2025 Website Template Provider Reviews
Bootstrap Made
- Live demos
- Free templates can be used on unlimited personal websites
- Email and member area for support
- Working PHP/AJAX contact form
- More than 90 website templates
- SASS/CSS files available for paid accounts
- Paid subscriptions allow use for clients and removal of Bootstrap Made link on website
- Premium support via email
Bootstrap Made focuses on design based on user experience within the Bootstrap framework, which is known for its ability to enable responsive and mobile-first websites, so these templates are fully responsive and compatible with different browsers. Bootstrap Made really prides itself on making templates that are easy to use. For premium subscribers, there is a builder that has front-end, drag-and-drop functionality, so you don't need to know code to make a nice-looking, functional, and responsive website.
Categorized selections
Bootstrap Made has 94 total templates to choose from, 38 of which are free. Free templates have a footer that can be removed only with a paid membership. Here are some of the most prolific categories:
- Business
- Corporate
- Agency
- Landing page
- Website templates
- Portfolio
- Resume
While there are other categories like restaurants or health, these only contain, on average, one to two different templates. It's clear that Bootstrap Made is geared to business and corporate websites, who may not have a real need for a service like this.
Templates for different versions of Bootstrap
All templates are available with the current Bootstrap 5 version, and they are updated as new releases of the software come out. Templates are also available for people who prefer Bootstrap 4.
Licensing and costs
There are three tiers of licensing to choose from at Bootstrap Made.
- Free License. You can use templates for free for an unlimited number of personal websites. Free templates come with a footer that advertises for Bootstrap Made, and free templates cannot be used for clients. The free option also restricts access to source files and does not have a contact form available.
- Pro Single License ($19). This license is for one template to be used on one website that can be used for clients, does not require the Bootstrap Made footer link, includes the PHP/AJAX contact form, and gives you access to Sass and SCSS files as well as premium user support.
- The Pro Unlimited License ($39). This license allows you to use one template on an unlimited number of websites and includes everything contained in the Pro Single License.
- The Premium License ($49 to $199). This gives you access to all 90+ templates and includes the front-end Bootstrap Template Builder. The lowest price point of $49 gives you three-month access, which is great if you are creating a website for events that will end within three months, or you can opt for the $99 annual payment and get 12 months of access. The best value is the lifetime access membership, which comes in at $199.
Be aware of the caveats
There are caveats that cover all levels of Bootstrap Made membership - you cannot resell or redistribute any of the templates or create a page builder with them. You also cannot include them in a content management system, like Joomla or WordPress theme repositories. With the lack of variety in templates, it doesn't seem worth it to pay $199 for a lifetime membership, but it also doesn't make sense to pay for a quarter or a year if you are trying to design a website for the long term. There just isn't a great option for someone who wants to do work for clients or commercial projects for more than a year.
Paid only email-based support
For customer support, you have to have a login and username to access the ticketing system. Unfortunately, those who use the free version of Bootstrap Made do not have access to support.
Confusing website
It's not clear how Bootstrap Made monitors user websites, nor how they could identify the difference between a personal and client website. Perhaps it's based on an honor system? The website is somewhat confusing on whether or not there are 38 free templates or if all 94 are available for free download. It also contradicts itself, saying in the pricing tables that the free license is for personal projects only, but on the licensing page it states you can use the free version for personal or commercial projects. While there is a wordy licensing page, it still didn't explain enough for us to feel comfortable with the way things operate with this company.
Useful but too pigeonholed
Bootstrap Made would be a good fit if you have a real affinity for the Bootstrap framework and are working on a business or company website. While they are proud of their 94 templates, many look similar, and there is no real variety in any categories but business and company websites. The site also doesn't have a lot of details about what kind of commitment you are making with your purchase or how it really works. For these reasons, we feel like Bootstrap Made is not a top of the line template option, but it may be useful for your needs if you're doing a website for your own business or a one-off event that you are having.
More Website Template Provider Reviews
The 10 Best Website Template Providers
Where Can You Get the Best Website Templates?
With so many new technologies and lots of user-friendly software, it's easier than ever to create a website. What's not so easy is navigating functionality, responsiveness, shopping carts, and effects for that website. For those things that truly make a website your own, you still need the skills and expertise of creative designers and coders who can put their knowledge together to create a user-friendly, appealing website that will meet your needs.
You have two choices: to hire these creative experts individually or to find great website templates whose creators have already done the heavy lifting and can make it possible for you to customize a template into something that reflects you or your company. Website templates can help you accelerate your website development or bypass most of it altogether for a fraction of the price you'd pay developers.
Website Template Provider FAQ
Continued from above...
That being said, the world of website templates can be complicated and difficult to navigate. For example, website templates are not your website; they are more like the "dressing” of a website. Most websites need a platform. Think of a costume - lying on the floor or hanging in the closet, it cannot keep its shape. In order to keep it from losing its shape, we find a form or mannequin on which to put the costume. Website templates need a form in order to function, and that is generally a content management system. It is up to you to find out if the templates you like come with a CMS or if you have to install that before you use your template.
You also need to ask if the website template comes with a page builder. A page builder will take your website design to a new level without having to use coding. Most page builders employ the use of drag-and-drop visual editing. Some page builders are better than others when it comes to flexibility and generating responsive design.
And, don't forget hosting. When planning a website, you will need to decide where the website information is stored and broadcast to the internet. Some website templates offer compatible hosting service included, some have suggestions for hosts that understand their templates and platform, and still others don't have any recommendations.
Plus, keep in mind that the modern web is an entirely different experience from the origin of the internet. In the beginning of the world wide web, people experienced the internet from a desktop computer screen. Modern users, however, almost always access the internet via multiple devices, primarily mobile phones. Modern web design usually has built-in functionality that will be responsive to the type of device the end user is operating to access your website. If a template "breaks” on a small phone, then it's not a good template.
Finally, a website template marketplace is full of separate vendors. Don't forget that "marketplace” websites are full of separate vendors with their own way of designing and their own skillsets. Some might be extremely skilled and reasonably-priced, while others might border on being a scam. Be sure to research the individual vendor. Often, marketplaces become so large that quality control just can't investigate each vendor. It's up to you to do your own research.
Here are some criteria you can use to make comparisons and ultimately decide on a website template for your site:
- Software needed. Which content management system will you use? WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, Shopify, Wix…these are just a few of the choices out there. Do you need other plugins or software to run your site, or does the website template vendor provide them?
- Variety. If there is definitely a "sameness” to the website templates from a certain vendor, you will most likely want to look for a different vendor. We would suggest gravitating to website template vendors that have a high variety, a certain "wow” factor in templates that make them unique, and who have a good mix of classic and modern styles. We also suggest staying away from designs that resemble the turn-of-the-century internet experience.
- Support and size of community. Especially if you haven't had much experience designing or developing a website, the community should be a key factor in determining what website template you choose. Website template vendors with a large community base often have robust forums or social media groups where you can ask a question, get help when you're stuck, or get free advice. Make sure to check out what support you will receive. A website is on 24 hours a day, so you want to have responsive support, too. Does the website template vendor have a lot of positive reviews? What about quick and reliable response time? Does the vendor have a live chat option?
- Cost. What you think might be a great deal can end up as a broken template with missing or outdated code, or it could require an expensive add-on to actually work. Most template vendors have demos you can test before you buy, so make sure you do a lot of testing and research before taking the plunge.
To assist you in finding the best website template, Top Consumer Reviews has evaluated and ranked top vendors on the market today. We're confident that this information will make finding a website design and template a fun rather than frustrating experience.
Compare Website Template Providers
Select any 2 Website Template Providers to compare them head to head
Trending Website Template News
Related Website Template Provider Reviews
Since you're interested in Website Template Providers, here are some other reviews you might find interesting.
Newest Reviews
