Your landing page doesn't need a custom jersey to learn how to dribble.

We obsess over the "unique" look before we even know if the headline can score.

Founders spend weeks debating custom grid systems and bespoke hover states for their marketing site as if they are building the next Madison Square Garden -- even though they haven't sold a single ticket yet.

It feels productive. It feels like "brand building."

But usually, it’s just a way to hide from the fact that your copy is weak or your value proposition is a ghost.

Ten years ago, buying a landing page template was like playing in heavy, canvas high-tops from the 50s. They were rigid and bloated.

Today, the game has changed.

The templates you find on Framer or Webflow for $80 are often better than what a mid-level agency would have charged you $10k for a few years ago.

Think of a template as the fundamental mechanics of a jump shot. The form is standard. The footwork is a known quantity.

You don't need to reinvent how the ball leaves your hand to be an elite scorer. You need to focus on where you are on the court and who you are passing to.

There is a time for the bespoke website.

Once you have a clear message that converts, you start caring about brand equity. You want to be unmistakable in a crowded market.

But at the seed stage?

You are Nikola Jokić in his early seasons. He didn't need the flashiest shoes to prove he was the best passer in the league. He just needed to play the game better than everyone else.

If your message is great, nobody is going to bounce because you used a popular Framer layout. They will bounce because they don't understand what you do.

Even with a $70 template, you still need a professional eye.

A template is a tool, not a strategy. You need someone to wireframe the flow and prune the noise.

A designer’s value isn't just "drawing boxes." It’s knowing which boxes to delete to make the landing page actually sell.

Stop over-engineering your first impression. Find a base that works, get your message right, and ship.

The "soul" of your startup comes from the problem you solve, not the custom SVG animation in your hero section.