Where to start - from scratch or template?

It's always easiest to start from a template, even if it's just the very basics.

If you want to learn as beginner then start from scratch and get ideas from template. After learning while using that knowledge in your project then it is better to start with the template rather than from scratch.

2 years ago when i started to learn php and html i have build up my site from scratch in dreamweaver, it looked ugly, but it was my first site an applied all the knowledge i know. So if you want to Learn some basics than i suggest getting a site build from scratch.

If you're just getting started... Always build starting with a premium theme. Always! Here's why...

1. It will save you a TON of time and time is money. You always want to do a great job for a client but you also need to turn the job quickly to be able to move on to new clients.
2. You have to crawl, walk then run... When you're just staring out in the development world, I think it's best to work with professionally built themes / templates so you can see how someone with experience builds them before you attempt one on your own.
3. Get really good at the basics... Learn CSS, HTML by getting VERY good at altering other premium themes, learn php and java as you need to when a client has a special request and in your spare time.

For me, it's all about time... The faster I can complete a task (always making sure the customer is happy) the more money I'll make at the end of the day. I don't believe in reinventing the wheel if you don't have to.

Hope this helps

Modifying seems like the way to go if you are trying to save money and wants to DIY. But if you spare the cash, premium templates will be much better. There are often more advanced features with premium themes.

Modifying most probably is the easiest way to go.

Most WordPress themes are available under GPL. Or at least the PHP codes are GPL. So when you use the PHP, you are not doing anything wrong. However, copying the design isn't good practice. Create a new design.

Premium themes are generally built on developer's own code repository. They don't copy other themes and make superficial changes. They create new themes.

If you want to learn, start by creating basic themes/designs.

Good ideas come from seeing other's works. When I get a website ordering from a client, I will first research his/her compitor's websites. Then I get initial idea to where I should go.
After you decide a template theme, try to build a better yourself to overcome competitors. It's not that hard.

I will assure you that most templates are composed of DIVs, IMGs, TEXTs, BORDERs and BG-COLORs and nothing more. Just add some spice to your work and after a few days of working your work should seems better than the original work.

I think it would depend on what type of website you are building, and how much time/effort you wanted to put into it.

Yes, you are correct with what xtrapunch said. For instance, if I try to take the code from the Thesis theme, change it, and sell it on my own, then Chis Pearson (the theme's developer) could sue me for copyright infringement, as the code is protected just as the written word or music would be.

Instead of claiming Thesis, or any other premium theme as my own, I inform my clients this is the basic core framework, and a custom *design* is implemented to give them a unique look and feel. If the design involves coding, I leave credit where credit is due in the actual source code.

If you're trying to market something you're building as though it's from scratch, it should be from scratch, unless your original template license allows for you to modify without credit. In other words, don't take a code from Paul, change two lines, and call it yours unless you're willing to credit Paul, too.

Many start from scratch, but modifying existing templates is a common practice yes. Whichever one you choose should depend on your client; the specification, the time you have to complete it, and the cost.

For example, I won't even do a site from scratch for under $1000 nowadays. If a client has a budget of a few hundred, I will modify a template for them.

Ideally, a good website is designed around the content structure, not the other way around. That's the problem with templates. However, if the client doesn't have anything too specific in mind and doesn't need to push their brand, then you can usually get away with just modifying a template rather than starting from scratch. However, if you have good coding and design skills, then you can edit a template to the point where it comes into its own.

With Theme Forest, when you buy a template, you can modify it and sell it to a client. But if you want to do the same again with the same template, you have to pay again I believe.

Also, not all developers build themes on their own core frameworks. In fact, a lot of premium themes were built on top of existing frameworks that were put together especially for theme-building.

Anyway, when it comes down to it, your client will either have specific needs or they won't. If you can meet their needs by just modifying a premium template, then go for it, but be honest with your client. Some people pretend they're giving bespoke web design when really they're not - this isn't good.

It is always easier to start with a template obviously but there are some clients who really know what they want so you have to start from scratch with them. Though, I have an already established security framework I just plug-in on different projects. I think that is the only thing I could always re-use even with different contracts.

For a beginner like me, I prefer doing it from templates. By modifying the theme, I can also have an idea on how to it was built. As of now, I am trying to build some themes from scratch, applying the knowledge I obtain from previous projects.

modifying an existing theme will not create an efficient web designer..
always start from scratch but take some references for help.. but dont copy them

If you're learning, start from scratch - it will help you better understand how to design a good website.

Learn from templates, acquire knowledge from tutorials and books. Then try to apply all what you learn in building a templat off scratch. Then finally, you can move on to building your own template from nothing.

I write mine with Textpad or other text editor. Sometimes a template is very useful to see how things are put together and learn from them, but you should modify your templates to keep them from looking like everyone else's page

Depends upon the developer. Any good and noble designer wont go for a template coz he will that when his client sees a similar website like his website then its on the designers head.