When building business applications in Microsoft Power Apps, the choice between starting from scratch or leveraging built-in templates can significantly impact time-to-market, cost, and user experience. Let’s break down why templates are often the smarter choice for non-designers.
1. Microsoft’s Guidance on Design Standards
Microsoft emphasizes following established design standards to ensure consistency, usability, and accessibility across applications. According to the Power Platform Well-Architected Experience Optimization guidelines:
- Consistency Matters: Using common patterns and metaphors reduces user confusion and training costs.
- Faster Development Cycles: Templates streamline design decisions, enabling quicker delivery.
- Improved Usability: Adhering to standards enhances user satisfaction and productivity.
Deviation from these standards without proper design expertise can lead to poor adoption and higher maintenance costs.
2. Built-In Templates: Benefits for Non-Designers
Power Apps templates are pre-built solutions that follow Microsoft’s Fluent Design System and UI/UX best practices . They offer:
- Ready-to-Use Layouts: Templates come with optimized navigation, responsive design, and accessibility baked in.
- Reduced Complexity: No need for advanced Figma or Adobe XD skills—drag, drop, and configure.
- Integration-Friendly: Templates are designed to work seamlessly with Microsoft 365, Dataverse, and Teams.
For example, the Power Apps Design Toolkit provides curated UI components that align with industry standards, ensuring your app looks professional without hiring a designer.
3. Risks of DIY Without Design Skills
Building from scratch without UI/UX expertise often results in:
- Inconsistent Branding: Fonts, colors, and layouts may not align with corporate identity.
- Poor Accessibility: Missing semantic colors or navigation cues can alienate users.
- Higher Support Costs: Confusing interfaces lead to more training and troubleshooting.
As Microsoft notes, “Low code should not mean low standards”.
4. Cost Comparison: Designer vs Template
Here’s a realistic cost breakdown:
| Option | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Hiring a Professional UI/UX Designer | £500–£750 per day (UK market rates for Power Platform projects) |
| Using PowerApps Templates (e.g., powerapps-template.com) | £0–£199 per template (many are free or low-cost) |
Example: A 10-day engagement with a designer at £600/day = £6,000.
By contrast, using a premium template at £199 saves over 95% of design costs while ensuring compliance with Microsoft standards.
5. Real-World Scenario
In enterprise projects, such as those described in Power Platform Governance, starting with templates accelerates delivery and aligns with governance policies.
