Create Your Own Website Template!

In order to save time on any website design work you can create your own website template for a fast start. Include all the basics, web pages, and any common information that would be displayed on every page.

I prefer server side includes as my basic format for any common information like menus, table of contents, copyright info, mastheads, logos, and even advertising. Do not use for meta tags, each page title, keywords, and descriptions should be unique to the web page.

There five specific pages I always start with on any website design. The home or front page, contact information, legal, sitemap, and resources. All of these web pages provide very basic information that should be available on any website.

The first page I design is the home or front page since it will set the colors and the layout of the entire website. Standard items are a header graphic, multiple columns for copy, menus (more than one), background graphics, copyright info, and probably an automatic bookmark script.

Each page after the home page is simply changing the content area and adding any special features. The contact page might have a form to request information, or ask for input on a particular aspect. The legal page will have a liability waver and any important disclaimers.

I actually have several website templates that I use depending on the type of website. Depending on the company or product, there may be some additional standard pages. Each new website might require a different style but many of the elements can be used to kick start your work.

Commercial websites may have a shopping cart and product pages for each item for purchasing. You could also have a page for manuals or technical specifications for individual products or services. I have several standard layouts for products that include picture, description, and buy buttons.

Some companies may want specific location information on how to find their location with maps and directions. A picture of the building helps the user when looking for the location since they will have an image to help.

I also have a collection of scripts in several flavors (some servers might require particular languages like ASP or PHP). These scripts may include everything from one click bookmarking to sophisticated sign ups for newsletters.

These self created website templates help with the customer too. I can show different kinds of layouts and color combinations to see which might be of interest for building their website design basics. I can go through and explain each page and ask for input.

So your website templates can help you with working with the customer to keep down the revisions and speed up the process. No matter how you look at the design process, time is money and the quicker you can complete the project the better for you and your client.

Even if you just create the website for yourself, you can save time and effort with a good basic website template to start the design work. Template can also keep you from forgetting an important element and having to go back and make time intensive changes.

Anything you can do to make it easier and faster to create your websites is a good thing. If you create your own website templates, that can be a big help on any future website design.