Use templates to design instead of starting from scratch
Do you want to create a stunning website for your business, portfolio, or personal brand, but don’t have the time or skills to start from scratch? If so, you might want to consider using templates to design your website instead of coding everything by yourself. Templates are pre-made web pages that you can customize with your own content, images, colors, fonts, and other elements. They can save you a lot of time, money, and effort, while still allowing you to create a professional and unique website that suits your needs and goals.
In this article, I will explain what templates are, how they work, and why they are beneficial for web design. I will also give you some tips on how to choose the right template for your website and how to customize it to make it your own. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of how templates can help you design a website faster and easier than starting from scratch.
What are templates and how do they work?
Templates are ready-made web pages that contain the basic structure, layout, and design of a website. They are usually created by web designers or developers who have expertise in web design and development. Templates can be based on different technologies, such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, WordPress, or other platforms. Templates can also be designed for different purposes, such as business, portfolio, blog, e-commerce, landing page, or any other type of website.
Templates work by allowing you to edit and modify them according to your preferences and requirements. You can use a template as a starting point for your website and then add your own content, images, colors, fonts, and other elements to make it unique and personalized. You can also change or remove any element that you don’t need or like from the template. Templates usually come with documentation or instructions that guide you through the customization process.
To use a template for your website, you need to have access to a web hosting service and a domain name. A web hosting service is a company that provides space on a server where you can store your website files and make them accessible online. A domain name is the address of your website on the internet, such as www.example.com. You can purchase a web hosting service and a domain name from various providers online.
Once you have a web hosting service and a domain name, you need to download the template files from the source where you got them. You can find many websites that offer free or paid templates for various purposes and platforms. Some examples are ThemeForest, CodeCanyon, Envato Elements, TemplateMonster, Wix, and WordPress.org. You can browse through their collections and choose the template that suits your needs and goals.
After downloading the template files, you need to upload them to your web hosting server using an FTP client or a file manager. An FTP client is a software that allows you to transfer files between your computer and your web server. A file manager is a tool that allows you to manage your files on your web server through a web browser. You can use any FTP client or file manager that is compatible with your web hosting service.
Once you have uploaded the template files to your web server, you need to configure them to work with your domain name. This usually involves changing some settings in the template files or in your web hosting control panel. The exact steps may vary depending on the template and the web hosting service you use. You can refer to the documentation or instructions that come with the template or contact your web hosting provider for assistance.
After configuring the template files to work with your domain name, you can start customizing them to create your website. You can use any text editor or web design software that supports the technology of the template. Some examples are Notepad++, Sublime Text, Visual Studio Code, Dreamweaver, WordPress, Wix Editor, Elementor, WPBakery Page Builder or Bold Page Builder from Bold Themes (amazing themes and plugins). You can edit the code of the template files or use a graphical user interface (GUI) that allows you to drag and drop elements on the web page.
Why use templates for web design?
Using templates for web design has many advantages over starting from scratch. Here are some of the main benefits of using templates:
- Templates save you time: Templates allow you to create a website faster than coding everything by yourself. You don’t have to spend hours or days designing and developing the structure, layout, and design of your website from scratch. You can simply choose a template that already has these elements in place and then customize it with your own content and style.
- Templates save you money: Templates allow you to create a website cheaper than hiring a professional web designer or developer. You don’t have to pay thousands of dollars for a custom-made website that meets your needs and goals. You can simply buy or download a template that already has the features and functionality you need and then modify it to suit your preferences and requirements.
- Templates save you effort: Templates allow you to create a website easier than learning how to code or use web design software. You don’t have to master complex technologies, languages, or tools to create a website from scratch. You can simply use a template that already has the code and the tools you need and then follow the instructions or documentation that guide you through the customization process.
- Templates give you quality: Templates allow you to create a website that has a professional and attractive look and feel. You don’t have to worry about making mistakes or errors in your web design or development. You can simply use a template that has been created by experts who have experience and knowledge in web design and development. Templates usually follow the best practices and standards of web design and development, such as responsiveness, accessibility, usability, performance, and security.
- Templates give you variety: Templates allow you to create a website that matches your needs and goals. You don’t have to settle for a generic or boring website that doesn’t reflect your personality or brand. You can simply choose a template that has the style, theme, or niche that you want and then customize it to make it your own. Templates offer a wide range of options and possibilities for different purposes and platforms.
How to choose the right template for your website?
Using templates for web design can be very beneficial, but it also requires some careful consideration and planning. You can’t just pick any template and expect it to work for your website. You need to choose the right template that fits your needs and goals. Here are some tips on how to choose the right template for your website:
- Define your purpose: Before choosing a template, you need to define the purpose of your website. What do you want to achieve with your website? What do you want to communicate with your audience? What do you want them to do on your website? Your purpose will help you determine the type of template you need, such as business, portfolio, blog, e-commerce, landing page, or any other type of website.
- Define your audience: After defining your purpose, you need to define your audience. Who are your target users or customers? What are their needs, preferences, expectations, and behaviors? What are their demographics, psychographics, and geographics? Your audience will help you determine the style of template you need, such as modern, classic, elegant, minimalist, colorful, playful, or any other style.
- Define your content: Next, you need to define your content. What kind of information do you want to provide on your website? What kind of images do you want to use on your website? How much content do you have or plan to have on your website? Your content will help you determine the layout of template you need, such as one-page, multi-page, grid-based, column-based, sidebar-based, or any other layout.
- Define your functionality: Finally, you need to define your functionality. What kind of features or functionality do you want or need on your website? Do you want or need a contact form, a newsletter subscription form, a social media integration, a blog section, an online store section, a video section, or any other feature or functionality? Your functionality will help you determine the platform of template you need, such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, WordPress, Wix, or any other platform.
How to customize a template for your website?
Once you have chosen the right template for your website, you need to customize it to make it your own. Customizing a template involves changing its content, images, colors, fonts, and other elements according to your preferences and requirements. Here are some tips on how to customize a template for your website:
- Follow the instructions: The first thing you need to do when customizing a template is to follow the instructions or documentation that come with the template. The instructions or documentation will guide you through the steps and procedures of customizing the template. They will also explain how the template works and what files or folders are included in the template. They will also provide tips and tricks on how to optimize the template for better performance and security.
- Use the tools: The next thing you need to do when customizing a template is to use the tools that are provided by the template or by the platform of the template. The tools can be text editors or web design software that allow you to edit the code of the template files or graphical user interfaces (GUI) that allow you to drag and drop elements on the web page. The tools will help you change the content, images, colors, fonts, and other elements of the template easily and quickly.
- Be creative: The last thing you need to do when customizing a template is to be creative. Customizing a template doesn’t mean just changing some text or images here and there. It means adding your own personality, style, and flair to the template. It means making the template reflect your brand, your message, and your vision. It means making the template stand out from the crowd and impress your audience. To be creative, you can try different combinations of elements, experiment with different effects or animations, add your own icons or graphics, or use your own voice or tone. You can also look for inspiration from other websites that use the same or similar templates and see how they customized them.
How to use templates, plugins, and web elements from ThemeForest, CodeCanyon, and Envato Elements?
If you want to take your web design to the next level, you might want to use some of the templates, plugins, and web elements that are available on ThemeForest, CodeCanyon, and Envato Elements. These are three of the most popular websites that offer high-quality web design resources for various purposes and platforms. Here are some of the benefits of using these websites for your web design:
- ThemeForest: Is a website that offers thousands of templates for WordPress, HTML, Shopify, Magento, Joomla, Drupal, and other platforms. You can find templates for any type of website, such as business, portfolio, blog, e-commerce, landing page, or any other type of website. You can also find templates for different styles, themes, or niches. ThemeForest templates are created by professional web designers and developers who have expertise and experience in web design and development. ThemeForest templates are also reviewed and rated by other users who have used them. ThemeForest templates come with documentation or instructions that guide you through the installation and customization process. ThemeForest templates also come with support from the authors who created them. You can contact them if you have any questions or issues with the template.
- CodeCanyon: Is a website that offers thousands of plugins for WordPress, WooCommerce, Shopify, Magento, Joomla, Drupal, and other platforms. You can find plugins for any feature or functionality you want or need on your website, such as contact forms, newsletter subscription forms, social media integration, blog sections, online store sections, video sections, or any other feature or functionality. You can also find plugins for different effects or animations, such as sliders, carousels, parallax, countdowns, or any other effect or animation. CodeCanyon plugins are created by professional web developers who have expertise and experience in web development. CodeCanyon plugins are also reviewed and rated by other users who have used them. CodeCanyon plugins come with documentation or instructions that guide you through the installation and configuration process. CodeCanyon plugins also come with support from the authors who created them. You can contact them if you have any questions or issues with the plugin.
- Envato Elements: Is a website that offers unlimited access to thousands of web elements for a single monthly fee. You can find web elements such as fonts, icons, graphics, photos, videos, audio, or any other element you want or need on your website. You can also find web elements for different styles, themes, or niches. Envato Elements web elements are created by professional web designers and developers who have expertise and experience in web design and development. Envato Elements web elements are also reviewed and rated by other users who have used them. Envato Elements web elements come with documentation or instructions that guide you through the usage and customization process. Envato Elements web elements also come with support from the authors who created them. You can contact them if you have any questions or issues with the element.
To use templates, plugins, and web elements from ThemeForest, CodeCanyon, and Envato Elements for your website, you need to follow these steps:
- Visit the website of ThemeForest, CodeCanyon, or Envato Elements and browse through their collections of templates, plugins, and web elements.
- Choose the template, plugin, or web element that suits your needs and goals.
- Download the template, plugin, or web element files from the website where you got them.
- Upload the template, plugin, or web element files to your web hosting server using an FTP client or a file manager.
- Setup the template, plugin, or web element files to work with your domain name and your platform.
- Customize the template, plugin, or web element files according to your preferences and requirements.
Conclusion
Using templates to design instead of starting from scratch is a smart and convenient way to create a website without starting from scratch. Templates can save you time, money, and effort, while still giving you quality, variety, and creativity. Templates can also help you achieve your purpose, reach your audience, deliver your content, and provide your functionality. However, using templates also requires some careful consideration and planning. You need to choose the right template for your website and customize it to make it your own. You can also use templates, plugins, and web elements from ThemeForest, CodeCanyon, and Envato Elements to enhance your web design and make it more professional and attractive.
If you need help with choosing or customizing a template for your website, you can contact Ady Media Design, a professional web design company that offers high-quality web design services at affordable prices. Ady Media Design can help you create a stunning website that suits your purpose, audience, content, and functionality. We can also help you optimize your website for SEO, performance, and security. Ady Media Design has a team of experienced and skilled web designers and developers who can work with any type of template or platform.
To learn more about Ady Media Design and “FAST DESIGN” (ultra rapid web design services), visit our website at Ady Media Design or contact us at office@adydesign.ro.
