You can start with a simple design and upgrade later to a custom design.

Custom designing is always the best, its one time investment but its really worth in long run.

I have seen very good templates, but the problem is that you can not afford someone to use the same design copy if you are serious about your business!

I would recommend getting a template and make the customizations you wish to have.
You can spend loads of times building an excellent site design that wows everyone, but unless your attempting to get design jobs then that means nothing.
Back in 1999 when I started my company I and everyone else just made simple tables with few graphics. Everyone was on dialup mostly so simple sites where the king. I would advise you to spend the time taking care of your business like picking servers and setups and marketing strategies.
The more elaborate your design the more likely it will fail in an older browser or a text mode only browser as well. Remember some people are blind and use a screen reader to browse the web.

I used to use HostRea, now I just decided to go ahead and use CMSes. That's the best and easiest way to go, IMO.

It should be according to the real condition. Using template sometimes makes job easier and more efficient