Website Template Tips

Posted on June 1, 2007 
Filed Under Planning

Had a good conversation today with a friend about the type of website he is requiring for his business and the topic of website templates came up.

Obviously he wants his website to look good, give a professional image to his clients and something simple enough that he can manage himself with Adobe Dreamweaver.

I cringe when someone says they want to manage their own website because questions like “Do they know how to upload files?”, “What is they delete a file?”, “Will I need to provide training?”, etc.

In his case, he has worked with Dreamweaver as a website editor and he feels confident that he can manage his own site. Other options for editing his own website were discussed and the resolution ended up with his web editor of choice.

A brief template overview

A website template is a pre-defined layout for structuring a website. A template would contain areas for content, links, graphics and ads.

Benefits of creating a site template would include saving time and money. Create once, duplicate and replicate.

The generic 2-column template would look something like this:

Website Template

*Header - place for company logo or branding

*Links - Navigation within the website

Content - Text and images

*Footer - Copyright and additional links

(*) usually consistent throughout the site.

3 column layout template

3-column-template

Because my friend was wanting to place additional ads on his site, the 3 column layout template would work in his favor. Navigational links in column 1, content in 2 and advertisements in column 3.

Where to get ideas for templates?

Part of planning your website is to get ideas about what your competition is doing. Definitely do not copy or replicate, simply make notes of what you like about other sites.

A photography website in most cases will have different site layouts than information based websites. Get a feel for what’s out there.

I usually like to visit the WordPress ThemeViewer to see what is out there for 2 column, 3 column and 4 columns websites.  OpenWebDesign.org has designers submitting free web design templates which you can use as well.

Commercial grade templates are also a good starting point for getting ideas.

Here are some real estate templates:



… and some arts & photography templates:



And finally some website template tips:

  1. Visualize your template throughout your whole site. All pages should have the look and feel throughout the site. What is the first thing users will see when they come to your website? Where will the navigation be throughout your site?
  2. Choose a website template you feel comfortable working with. If the template has Flash incorporated in the website, will you be able to edit it your self?
  3. Keep it simple to start. As you work more with your site, you’ll find you’ll be adding and editing along the way. You may also want to place advertising on your site as well.
  4. Think of your content first before selecting a template. Not all sites require a template.
  5. Think of functionality. Will your template be easy for your visitors to navigate through?
  6. Free templates are great, but many others could be using them as well. Free website templates are a good starting point for customizing and adding on to. Free template may also require that you provide a link back to the creator of the template.
  7. Purchased templates are affordable compared to the costs associated with developing one with a designer. It may take a few hours for you or your graphic designer to put together the concept, gather images and create the layout. Purchased templates are great if your website is on a strict budget.
  8. Test test test. Make sure your template is compatible and looks good in all web browsers

View more business and hobby related website template here …

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