Web Design with Templates

A Web Hosting Article Contributed by Frances Rhea

Template Web Design

If you are creating your own web site, pre-designed templates are an alternative for your web design woes. They provide you with ideas to begin your project. These are a mini-website with colors, links, etc. set up to input your information.

Where to Find Web Design Templates

Many web designers provide free templates to advertise their services. They do this knowing that some individuals will attempt to design the site themselves only to find that it was harder than they thought.

Creating and editing graphics takes skill and not everyone is capable. Your choice then is to hire someone else or eliminate graphics completely. If you use a template that was created with a novice user in mind, this process can be made simpler.

An Internet search can provide links for many sites that provide free templates. Use the keywords 'free web site templates', or 'free web site layouts' for a long list of providers.

Altering Web Design Templates

A user friendly template is easy to edit. After downloading the design, open the graphics in an image editor such as JASC's Paint Shop Pro or Adobe PhotoShop. Select the layer with the text and delete it. You can then create a new layer to contain your text.

If there is no layer for text but the graphic is one color behind the text, first make sure that you background color is set to the color of the graphic. Now select the area with the text and hit your delete button. You can now create your own text to insert. If none of this makes sense read the help files provided with your graphic editing software.

Editing the text is much easier. Simply select all of the supplied text and start typing. Remember to use relative text in your web design. This allows the user to change whether the text is smaller or larger.

For Headings make sure you use the heading tag. Do not set the type size to larger on your own. This lets the user with accessibility problems know that it is a heading.

Additional Web Design Template Pages

After you create your first page from the web design template, save it to a special folder you created for your site. It is better to put images in a separate folder called 'images'. Now click Save As and rename the web design page. From here you can replace any text that needs to be altered for your additional information.

Getting Web Design Help

The web designer usually provides a link to contact them. Don't forget to leave the link intact. You can also use it if you encounter problems and need assistance with creating or editing your pages. They will charge you a fee but is should be a reasonable one. If not, look for another web designer to help you with your project.

Paid or Premium Web Design Templates

These are usually available at a reasonable cost but can vary from $5 to $80. Decide for yourself if they are worth it.