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Guide · State October 2026
Esports website templates: template, site builder or CMS?
Anyone looking for a clan website quickly runs into “templates”. Behind that word are very different things. We explain the differences, what each solution does and how to tell what fits your organization.
Important: We deliberately name no prices and no providers because both change constantly. We do not give legal advice. We offer neither hosting nor domains.
1. What “template” actually means
A template is a ready-made look for a website: colors, fonts, layout of the home page and subpages. But it is only the look. Texts, teams, schedule and applications additionally need something that manages them. That is where the options differ.
2. The three options at a glance
Ready-made HTML template
A collection of files that you upload to your web space and adapt by hand. Every change (new player, new match) means editing the files.
Full control, often inexpensive or free.
You need HTML knowledge, and nothing updates by itself.
Site builder with templates
You pick a template in the provider’s editor and fill it with content. Hosting and technology are included.
Ready quickly, no technical knowledge needed.
Suitable building blocks for teams, schedule and applications are often missing, and moving away is laborious.
CMS with designs
A content management system separates content and look: you manage teams, players, news and matches in one admin area, the design sits on top and can be switched.
Content stays when you change the design, anyone in the organization can maintain it.
You need your own web space and a short setup.
3. Five questions that make the decision easy
- Who maintains the site? Several people without technical knowledge speak for a CMS or a site builder.
- How often does something change? Schedule and results every week: better a system that manages them than files by hand.
- What do you need besides looks? Teams, player profiles, applications, partner page, live display: check whether the solution brings them.
- Who owns the data? With your own web space it is with you, with site builders with the provider.
- What does switching cost later? The more tightly you are tied to one provider, the more expensive it gets.
4. What to look for in a template
- Mobile: Often more than half of visitors come from phones. Test the template there.
- Speed: Large images and many scripts make pages slow.
- Maintenance: Is the template kept up to date, and are there security updates?
- License: May you use and adapt the template for your organization? The license terms say so.
- Legal matters: Legal notice, privacy policy and cookie notice have to fit your site. A template usually does not deliver them ready-made.
- Embedded content: Twitch, YouTube and Discord widgets need a clean data protection solution.
5. The alternative: designs in a CMS
Clan CMS includes three designs (Arena, Pro Org and Magazine), and there are the premium designs Launcher and Amber. You set colors, background and logo in the admin, and you switch the design with one click without losing teams, players or news. More on the premium designs under Themes, and how to change a design is shown in the guide change your clan website design.
The areas for teams, schedule, applications, news and partners are already there. The free Clan CMS Free includes 2 teams and 12 player profiles. More on the Clan CMS page.
Why Clan CMS
- Ready-made areas for teams, players, schedule, news, applications and partners.
- Switch the design with one click, set colors and logo yourself.
- Runs at your own host without vendor lock-in, backups and updates with one click.
- Try it for free with Clan CMS Free.
6. Switching later
Plan the switch from the start: back up your texts and images, note the addresses of your most important pages and keep your domain. For storage and address see domain and hosting. An overview of all five ways to a clan website is in create a clan website.
7. Frequently asked questions
Where do I find templates?
From site-builder providers, on marketplaces for website templates and as designs for a CMS. Always check the license, mobile view and maintenance.
Is a template alone enough?
Only for a simple site without ongoing changes. For teams, schedule and applications you additionally need a management system.
Can I adapt a template?
Usually yes: with HTML templates by code, with site builders and a CMS through settings. Check the license.
How do I change the design later?
With a CMS usually with one click, without losing content. With templates made of files you often have to re-enter content.
Are there free designs?
Yes, Clan CMS includes three designs, also in the free version.
More than just a template.
Clan CMS brings design and management together: three designs included, premium designs on top, and all the areas a clan website needs.