What will make a website template worth buying in the age of AI?

At AliThemes, we believe the value of a template will increasingly come from the decisions already built into it.

As AI makes it easier to generate layouts and code, a polished demo becomes a starting point. The bigger opportunity for template creators is understanding what a specific business needs to launch and run its website.

For a home renovation company, that might mean before-and-after projects, service areas, testimonials and a straightforward estimate request. For a clinic, it could mean treatment pages, practitioner profiles and a clear booking journey.

Those choices shape the content, CMS, navigation and mobile experience. They also help the buyer spend less time figuring out what their website should include.

We still see a place for distinctive visual design and thoughtful motion. Their value grows when they support a useful, adaptable foundation: real content, accessible interactions, reliable performance and an easy handoff.

Our view is that templates and AI can work well together. A well-structured template gives customization a foundation, while designers bring judgment, industry knowledge and quality control.

For us, this opens up a broader role for template studios: building focused website products and helping customers adapt them through setup, customization and ongoing support.

As AI becomes part of your workflow, what would make a website template worth paying for—and how is that changing what you build or buy?