| Whether you are a new or veteran web master, | | | | Dreamweaver or Front Page and may have used |
| using a web page template as the basis for your | | | | technology specific to that editor. Front Page |
| website may, at first, seem very attractive. After all, | | | | extensions are a perfect example. Not only must you |
| here's an opportunity to cut your development time | | | | have Front Page to properly work with the template, |
| and have an attractive page designed by a | | | | but your web host must also support them. |
| professional. For those of us that are "graphically | | | | Most web template designers use Photoshop to |
| challenged" using a web page template offers a great | | | | create their graphics. Therefore, if you want to edit |
| looking alternative to what we might otherwise | | | | the template's graphics you will need a basic |
| produce ourselves. | | | | understanding and own a copy of Photoshop. |
| However, there are some serious pitfalls that you | | | | In addition to the technical aspects of using web |
| must beware of if you choose to use a web page | | | | templates, there are other issues that you will want |
| template. By making yourself aware of these | | | | to consider before laying down your hard-earned |
| important points you can avoid a disastrous | | | | cash for one. Templates usually cost under $100 |
| experience for both you and your visitors. | | | | each. In order to sell them for such a low price each |
| One of the biggest mistakes I see when using a web | | | | template is sold to as many customers as will |
| template is made mostly by new web masters. Many | | | | purchase it. If you look at any good template reseller |
| web designers pick the first good looking template | | | | you will notice a price for "exclusive" rights to a |
| that catches their eye with little consideration to | | | | template. Exclusive rights means that the template |
| what it takes to actually use the template. | | | | will not be sold to anyone else. |
| Many first-time template purchasers assume that all | | | | What does this mean for you? It means that if you |
| templates are easy to edit and require little work or | | | | purchase a template and use it "as is" your site will |
| special tools on their part. Take the designer that | | | | not have a unique look to it. Is this a real issue? That |
| purchases a template with a flash introduction and | | | | depends on your site, your goals, and your |
| navigation controls. Without the proper software | | | | pocketbook. In many cases templates can serve as |
| these controls may be impossible to edit, leaving the | | | | the basis for an entirely different looking site. By |
| webmaster with a near worthless template. | | | | simply changing the color scheme and graphics you |
| Some templates may be more than simple HTML and | | | | can give your template a look that is unique enough |
| therefore difficult for the first-time webmaster to | | | | to suit your needs. |
| edit. Be certain to choose a template that suits the | | | | Using a web page template can be a tremendous |
| tools you use to edit your web site. As in the flash | | | | shortcut in developing a new site. It can also serve |
| example above, a web site designed heavily with | | | | as a way to present yourself professionally without |
| Cascading Style Sheets may prove confusing and a | | | | spending a fortune on graphic development. |
| real challenge to someone without CSS experience or | | | | However, you should take care to choose your |
| a web editor that does not properly support these | | | | template carefully based on your own skill level and |
| features. | | | | the software you may need to alter it to your |
| Many templates are designed with a specific web | | | | needs. |
| editor in mind. The original creator may have used | | | | |