Talk to different web designers on the subject of using templates, chances are you will get some strong reactions, both positive and negative.

Here are some of the reasons I believe you should consider using a professional template for your website.

1. They will make your content look good.

Bad site design will overshadow you content.   Graphic designers have spent years learning what works and what does not.  If your only criteria when designing your own site is "Well, it looks good to me." your design is probably not going to be the most successful. 

A carefully chosen, professionally made template can beautifully present your ideas, products, and services.

2. Browser compatibility. 

All browsers are not created equally.  (Don't get me started on IE6!)  Learning to create beautiful sites that work in all browsers is an art unto itself.  A well made template will have cross-browser compatibility built right into it.

3. Time 

If you have spent anytime creating a website from scratch, you know the amount of work it takes just to create it's look. Now if you have the time and talent to do it, go for it.  But if your time is at a premium, a template can free you to develop the most important part of your site, the content.

4. Your users will not notice.

This does feel a bit like cheating. The WWW is a very, very big place.  The chances just one of your users will notice your site looks almost exactly like XYZ.com is very, very small.

5.  Your content is what is most important 

Studies have shown that good content trumps good looks.  Unless it's your life's mission so be the next cyber picasso. Keep it simple.  It's your ideas, products, and services you are selling not your website.

Things to remember when looking for templates.

• Take your time.  Think about your content and refer similiar sites and how they look.  Don't grab the first template you find.
• Expect to pay for it.  You get what you pay for.
• Make sure the company that created it supports it. 
• After installing it be sure to check it in various browsers.  If there are issues, go back to the creator and report any issues.  A good company will help you fix it.

For Joomla! CMS, I am an affiliate of "RocketTheme Templates."  Their templates are versatile, cross browser tested, and very well supported.  I would encourage anyone to use them.