Starter Templates for Small Business Websites: Build Fast Without a Designer
Contents
- What is a Starter Template? (WordPress Made Simple)
- When Should Small Businesses Use a Starter Template?
- Gutenberg vs Elementor Templates: Which is Best for Small Business?
- Best Gutenberg Themes for Small Business: Blocksy & GeneratePress
- Looking for Website Templates Tailored to Your Industry?
- How to Install and Edit a Starter Template in WordPress
- Ready to Build Your Website?
If you’re running a service-based business, maintaining a professional website is essential. Your clients expect to find you online and trust what they see.
However, hiring a designer or developer can be costly and time-consuming. WordPress starter templates for small businesses offer a fast, affordable solution for creating a polished, mobile-friendly website without starting from scratch.
What is a Starter Template? (WordPress Made Simple)
A starter template functions as a ready-made WordPress website, complete with:
- Pre-designed pages and layouts
- Matching fonts and colors
- Placeholder text and images
Simply replace the placeholder content with your own materials (text, images, logo) and your site is ready to launch.
Most starter templates are built for WordPress, the most popular small business website platform. WordPress enables you to edit your site independently, without coding expertise or technical knowledge.
When Should Small Businesses Use a Starter Template?
A small business website template is perfect if you:
- Want a professional-looking site quickly
- Don’t have a designer or developer on hand
- Prefer to edit your website yourself
- Need a fast, budget-friendly launch
If speed, simplicity, and control matter to your business, a starter template is the smart choice.
Gutenberg vs Elementor Templates: Which is Best for Small Business?
When choosing a WordPress starter template, you’ll often see two types: Gutenberg-based and Elementor-based.
Gutenberg Starter Templates
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- Use WordPress’s built-in block editor
- Edit text or images directly on the page
- No extra plugins to install
- Faster and less likely to break
Elementor Starter Templates
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- Use a separate page builder plugin
- Must open Elementor to make changes
- Editing in WordPress can break the design
What do we recommend?
For small business owners, Gutenberg starter templates are easier, safer, and faster to manage. You can make updates without worrying about breaking your site.
Best Gutenberg Themes for Small Business: Blocksy & GeneratePress
Two WordPress themes stand out for beginners using Gutenberg:
Blocksy Theme
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- Modern, flexible design
- Beginner-friendly
- Easily edit text, images, and colors directly in WordPress
GeneratePress Theme
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- Minimalist and lightning-fast
- Simple to update without extra tools
- Reliable and scalable for growing businesses
💡 Tip: Check our industry-specific guides to see which Blocksy or GeneratePress starter templates work best for your business.
Looking for Website Templates Tailored to Your Industry?
Every business has different priorities. A law firm needs credibility and clarity. A restaurant needs a visual menu and booking options. A wellness coach needs trust-building bios and testimonials.
That’s why we’ve created dedicated industry guides to help you pick the right starter template:
- Best Website Templates for Lawyers
- Top WordPress Starter Templates for Accountants & Bookkeepers
- 10 Website Templates for Restaurants & Cafes
- Best B2B Travel Website Templates & WordPress Designs
…and more to come.
💡 Bookmark this guide and we’ll keep updating it with new industries as we publish them.
How to Install and Edit a Starter Template in WordPress
How to Install and Edit a Starter Template in WordPress
Step 1: Install WordPress and your chosen theme (Blocksy or GeneratePress).
Step 2: Import a starter template from the theme’s library.
- Pick one that matches your business style
- Click “Import” (setup takes a few minutes)
Step 3: Edit your content.
- Click on text or images to replace them
- Add your own copy, photos, and logo
Step 4: Publish your website.
💡 Pro Tip: Start with the basics: replace text and images first, then adjust colors and layouts later.
Ready to Build Your Website?
A WordPress starter template lets you launch, update, and scale your own professional website as your business grows.
But if you’re looking for a web partner to build and maintain your custom website, Webora Creative is here to help. We create sites that reflect your brand, connect with your ideal clients, and support your long-term goals – all while you focus on running your business.
The first step is booking a free strategy call with our team so we can understand your brand, industry, audience, and business goals, and provide tailored recommendations for your website.
Watch the full breakdown video here:
Top 5 Free WordPress Themes for 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a WordPress starter template?
A starter template is a ready-made website design with pre-built pages, layouts, fonts, and colors. Simply replace the placeholder content with your own to launch a professional website quickly.
Are starter templates mobile-friendly?
Yes. Most modern WordPress starter templates are fully responsive, meaning your website will look and work great on desktops, tablets, and smartphones without extra adjustments.
How long does it take to launch a website with a starter template?
If you already have your content and images ready, you can launch a starter template in just a few hours. Many small businesses go live within the same day.
Can I switch from Elementor to Gutenberg?
Yes, but switching from Elementor to Gutenberg may require re-building some pages, as Elementor-specific layouts don’t automatically convert to the Gutenberg block editor. If you’re starting fresh, Gutenberg starter templates are simpler and faster to manage.
Do I need coding skills to use a starter template?
No. Starter templates are designed for beginners and small business owners without technical skills. You can edit everything (text, images, colors etc.) directly in WordPress.
Can I customise a starter template later?
Absolutely. Starter templates give you a solid foundation that you can fully customise as your business grows. You can change layouts, colors, fonts, or even add new pages anytime.
Which is better for small businesses: Gutenberg or Elementor?
For most small business owners, Gutenberg is the better choice because it’s built into WordPress, faster to load, and less likely to break during updates. Elementor offers more design flexibility but comes with a steeper learning curve.
