Should I Use Templates for Web Site Design?

Contributed by Claudette Foxcroft

How are Templates Used in Web Site Design?

More and more, pre-constructed templates built in programs like Macromedia Dreamweaver are being used for easier web site design. Instead of using a web site design program to build your site from scratch, you may simply download one, either free of charge for for a fee, from an internet web site. One advantage to using a template, or pre-designed page, includes a major chunk of time saved in getting your web site up and running.

Also, if you are new to web site design or have no experience using one, this option will allow you to skip the process of learning how to use the more technical aspects of designing programs, such as Macromedia Dreamweaver or FrontPage. You need only download the page template and add the required text for your own personal web site.

Downloading or purchasing a ready-to-go template is perfect for anyone who needs to get a web site up in a hurry, or has no desire to learn how to use a web page building program. All you need to do is plug in the text you want to add to your site and FTP the files to your internet domain.

Where Can You Find Templates for Web Site Design at No Charge?

One internet site that offers free downloads of template designs is "JimWorld," found at www.freesitetemplates.com/templates. You must sign up for a user account to have access to the templates, but there is no charge to do so. The site also offers templates you can buy, but there are pages and pages of pre-constructed templates for visitors to snag at no charge.

Categories of free templates include "Kids" and "Holidays," for the more personal approach, and "Speed Demon," which has a more business-like feel to its templates. There are even Macromedia Dreamweaver and Flash templates available. The templates can be edited pretty easily, as well, by opening them into a text editor such as NotePad, which is usually included with most Windows operating systems, or UltraEdit, a program that offers a trial version before you decide to buy.

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