Olya Black Shares Advice on Building Client Websites from Scratch vs Using Templates

On February 26, Olya Black joined a FreelanceFam webinar, supported by Wix Studio, to discuss the balance between custom web design and templates. The session explored how each approach impacts branding, storytelling, and user experience.

A key takeaway was the importance of differentiation in branding. Templates, while efficient, often constrain a brand’s story rather than enhancing it. At the core of custom design is the ability to create engaging, unique narratives that align with a brand’s identity.

The discussion also covered the risks and benefits of using templates—for both clients and designers. While templates provide a structured starting point, they can limit creativity and brand recognition. In contrast, custom-built websites offer flexibility and a stronger connection with audiences through immersive storytelling techniques like scrollytelling, which is becoming a new industry standard rather than just a trend.

The full webinar is available here (registration required).