If you’re just starting out on your app-building journey, you might be wondering: “Should I use a template or build my app from scratch?”

This is a great question and one that will require you to examine your strengths and resources carefully.

Today, I’m sharing a few things you must consider when determining whether to use a template to build your app or start from scratch.

You should use a template if…

When you’re looking for an easy solution, we’ve got you covered. Our premade templates are great for our users who don’t have much design experience or plan on hiring a designer to build their app. Apps are complicated and have to be designed strategically so they provide the best experience for users. If you don’t know much about design or user experience, I would definitely go with a template.

Templates are also great if you are limited on time. App creation can take a lot of time, especially if it’s your first time building an app. If you have other things in your business you need to spend your time doing, using a template would save you a TON of time when creating your app.

The last thing to consider when deciding between using a template or not is how unique you want your app to be. If you don’t mind having an app that looks similar to other apps on the market, using a template would be perfect for you. Of course, whether you use a template or not, your app would be unique in the content you provide to your users!

You should start from scratch if…

On the other hand, if you want a totally unique look and feel to your app, you might want to start from scratch and design it yourself. Our 22apps App Builder offers lots of features and ways to customize your app so you can create an app that fits right in with your brand.

Building your app from scratch would be best for you if you have design experience or if you know someone that could help you with the design aspect of the app. If you are building your app from scratch, you will also want to make sure you have a clear idea of what you want your app to look like, as you will be starting with a blank canvas.

If you’re building your app from scratch, you’ll want to make sure you know how to design for user experience as user experience is a huge factor in whether people will use your app or not.

As I mentioned previously, time is also a huge consideration when deciding to build your app from scratch or not. If you don’t plan on using a template for your app, make sure you have enough time to dedicate to building your app!

Hopefully, now you have a better idea of whether you should start building your app with a template or start from scratch. If you’re still stuck between the two, think about what’s the most important factor to you personally – time, customization, user experience, etc. and decide from there. 

If you think a template is right for you, check out all the premade templates we offer in your app builder under the “Templates” tab.

If you’re not a 22apps member yet, but want to get started building your very own app for FREE, check out 22apps.com!