Website templates are web page designs created by professional web designers that are sold to others for their use. Templates normally have dummy content used as a placeholder so you can see what a finished page will look like. A template is an easy way for a novice to create a good-looking professional quality websites quickly and easily.

Most of the commercially available templates can be found in a variety of themes and color schemes. Theme templates come complete with appropriate graphic for each theme. If you have some graphic or web design skills and a knowledge of HTML, you can create a customized professional looking website at a fraction of the time it takes to create everything yourself. Just remember you dont own the copyright to the design.

Before selecting a template, you will need to identify the goals you have in mind for your website so you can select the most appropriate template.

Advantages of Using Website Templates

There are several advantages to using templates such as:

Templates provide the basic webpage layout.

Templates can provide a consistent look and feel for the site.

Most come with professional quality graphics.

Most allow you to customize the graphics if desired.

It is usually easy to add your content using almost any HTML editor.

Disadvantages of Using Website Templates

It can be difficult to make any web design changes unless you are skilled in both HTML and can use a graphics program like Photoshop.

Although features like a login box may be part of the template design, the programs needed to make them work are not included.

Any interactive features have to be integrated into the template.

You do not own the copyright to the design unless you actually purchase it from the designer.

The following items are things to look for in a well-designed web template. A template should:

Be easily editable.

Be compatible with most HTML editors.

>Upload easily.

Come with complete html files.

Have header graphics provided in psd format for easy editing.

Have their both the fla and swf files if the template uses flash.

Download quickly after the content is added.

Retain the original design no matter how much content is added.